Fo Guang Shan (North Island) NZ Chinese New Year’s Eve Celebration 2011

New Zealand was the first western country to welcome the Year of The Rabbit. On 2nd Feb, about 150 people from all over Auckland gathered at Fo Guang Shan (North Island). They participated in the Lunar New Year’s Eve Dharma Function. Venerable Abbess Manshin led devotees in the “Eighty-Eight Buddhas’ Repentance Service” and reading of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “Prayer for New Year’s Eve” in the Main Shrine. Then everyone paid respects to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Founder of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Venerable Abbot Hsin Pei and Venerable Abbess Manshin.

Visitors continued to flock into the temple after 10:30pm. In front of the wishing bell, families could be seen standing in a queue and waiting patiently to make their wishes for 2011. The Main Shrine was also full of devotees making incense and light offerings. The most popular activity was explaining of Dharma words in the Front Shrine. This was a good opportunity to spread the Buddha’s teaching to everyone young and old. Food and souvenir stalls set up at the courtyard added festive atmosphere to the already exciting Lunar New Year celebrations.

Venerable Abbess Manshin led devotees in the morning chanting, reciting of the “Heart Sutra” and Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “ The prayer for New Year’s Eve”. Venerable Abbess Manshin wished everyone a prosperous New Year and hoped the year will bring enrichment to their wisdom. Thereafter, she presented the Fo Guang red packets to all devotees and visitors. There were almost 2000 people standing in the queue. With the sounding of the morning bell, the much anticipated Lunar New Year began!