Sydney (Tribune International): Congratulations to all the people of the world celebrating Lunar Chinese New Year.
The New Year period is often referred to as the Chinese Lantern Festival and is a major Asian cultural holiday celebrated
by millions of people around the world. The festivities, dating back thousands of years, are a time where families gather to pay tribute to ancestors past and celebrate the fortunes of a New Year.
Homes are cleaned, Red Lanterns are hung in windows to ward off evil spirits and presents are prepared in red envelopes to be shared with visitors.
More and more people are embracing this cultural celebration and many hope for good fortune in the areas of health and wealth and good fortune with living a long and prosperous life for themselves, families and friends.
Celebrations at the Foguangshan Chung Tian Temple, whose name means “Middle Heaven”, continues for 15 days throughout the Chinese Lantern Festival and includes a Cultural Open Day of the Temple on Sunday February 02.
The spirit of the horse is recognised to be the Chinese people’s ethos, making unremitting efforts to improve themselves.
Abbess of the Temple Master Chueh Shan reflects that: “The horse is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. In ancient times people liked to designate an able person as “Qianli Ma”, a horse that covers a thousand miles a day.”
Founder of Foguangshan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun writes in his New Year message that “A Noble Steed Gallops into a Bright Future”. Commenting on this message Master Shan explained: “as we come into the Year of the Horse, a steed with good intent can gallop across a great distance”.
The Chinese Lantern Festival schedule of events at the Chung Tian Temple include;
Jan 30 Thursday 6:00pm – Chinese New Year Food Fair & Performances 6:30pm – Jack Wu Art Exhibition Opening 8:30pm – Light Offering Blessing Service 9:30pm – Chinese Lion Dance 11:00pm – Morning Chanting 12:00pm – Ringing of Blessing Bell to welcome New Year:
Jan 31 Friday 10:00am – 12noon – Homage to Thousand Buddha Service
Feb 01 Saturday 10:00am – 12noon – Homage to Thousand Buddha Service
Feb 02 Sunday 9:00am – 3:30pm – Chung Tian Temple – Open Day 11:00am – Multi-faith Light Offering Service 11:30am – Lion Dance 2:00pm – Baby Blessing Ceremony
Feb 15 Saturday 10:30am – 12noon – Light Offering Service and Completion of the Lantern Festival
Activities during the Chinese Lantern Festival are part of the ongoing educational and cultural contribution the Buddhists at the Chung Tian Temple make to the community.
Entry: Free
Location: Chung Tian Temple 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale QLD 4127
Email: news@chungtian.org.au ; Web: http://www.chungtian.org.au
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