Lunar New Year’s Eve at Fo Guang Shan – Thousands welcomes the Year of the Snake

On the evening of 9th February, Fo Guang Shan’s lanterns glowed especially bright for the Lunar New Year’s eve. Over two thousand visitors gathered at the temple for the bustling festivities.

At 9:00pm, a Universal Buddha Longevity Dharma function was held, where Venerable Abbess Manshin led the devotees to pay homage according to the “Eighty Eight Buddha’s Repentance Text”, recite the Year’s first “Morning Recitation Scriptures”, and recite Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “Prayers and Wishes for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day”. Then the Abbess led the congregation to make New Year’s greetings toward Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “New Year’s Greetings for 2013” were recited and shared with the congregation. This allowed everyone to contact with the Master’s thoughts, receive his blessings and be reminded of his teachings. The Abbess encouraged everyone to cherish their fortune, accomplish good causes and conditions, mutually support each other, and visit the temple often. Recently Superintendent John Tims visited the temple, during which he frequently expressed the feelings of tranquillity, carefreeness, well-adjusted mind, and the energy to continue forward. The Abbess hoped that everyone can identify with this experience, thus possess more ability to face challenges. This energy comes from everyone’s cooperation, which will allow all witnesses to receive New Year’s best blessings.

After the Dharma Function’s completion, all devotees remained in the Main Shrine to make the year’s first incense offering, make sincere prostrations toward the Buddha while making wishes, ringing the Wishing Bell, and praying for peace and auspiciousness for the brand New Year. The courtyard is packed with long queues of people waiting to receive Red Packets from the Abbess, whom wished all to accumulate more fortune and wisdom. Many visitors expressed that one can only feel a true sense of the New Year’s spirit at Fo Guang Shan, which allowed many Chinese immigrants to enjoy the New Year’s vibe, thus truly feeling blessed.