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Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple kicked off a series of diverse and exciting activities for 15 days starting from the first day of the Lunar New Year on February 10, 2024. Centered around the theme "Joyful Dragon," inspired by Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s blessing, "May You Be Free as Cloud and Water, Auspicious and Joyful," the events included cultural performances, lantern displays, a vegetarian food fair, bell-ringing, light offering ceremonies, and exhibitions on Chinese painting and dragon culture, attracting around 50,000 visitors to the temple for the Spring Festival celebration.
The day began at 5 a.m. with a "New Year pilgrimage," followed by the "Thousand Buddhas Dharma service," setting the stage for the festivities. Volunteers and traffic personnel of Hsi Lai Temple, embodying the spirit of kindness, compassion, joy, and giving, provided services to the visitors throughout the temple grounds.
Ven. Hui Dong, abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, warmly welcomed everyone to the Lunar New Year celebrations, emphasizing the symbolism of the dragon in the Year of the Dragon, representing strength, auspiciousness, and prosperity.
The cultural performances began with the vibrant North Shaolin Lion Dance, featuring auspicious dragons and lions to bless the audience. Spectacular performances by the Southern California Chinese Orchestra, Japanese Taiko drumming, Indian dance, Dunhuang dance, and Aztec dance captivated the audience, immersing them in the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year.
Distinguished guests, including Senator Bob Archuleta of the 30th District, Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon of the 56th District, and representatives of Supervisor Hilda Solis, Ryan Serrano, and Frank Lu, expressed gratitude to Hsi Lai Temple for its community contributions. Law enforcement officials, including Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Industry Station Captain Glenn Emery and California Highway Patrol Santa Fe Springs Captain Melissa Hammond, reminded everyone to prioritize traffic safety. Deputy Mayor John Wu of San Gabriel, also an alumnus of Fo Guang Shan’s Pu-Men High School, extended New Year blessings and thanked Hsi Lai Temple for its strong support of San Gabriel's upcoming Lunar New Year Festival. Mayor Charlie Klinakis of La Puente, Chairperson Christine H. Salazar of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, President Minh-Hoa Ta of University of the West, and President Alex Wu of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter also attended the event.
The highlight of the lantern display was the giant "Joyful Dragon" in front of the Main Shrine, symbolizing harmony and joy, welcoming the Year of the Dragon with the crowd. The area featured magnificent lantern displays such as "Dragon Guardian of the Sky," "Three Good Deeds Bring Five Blessings," and "Hundred Flowers Bloom Welcoming Spring," attracting visitors of diverse backgrounds for photo opportunities. The "Wishing Tree" and bell-ringing activities drew long queues of people eager to make wishes and prayers for blessings.
BLIA members presented a traditional and diverse vegetarian food fair over two days, offering a variety of traditional delicacies such as turnip cakes, fried rice cakes, tempura, Thai curry noodles, Vietnamese vegetarian pho, vegetarian stir-fried rice, baked buns, vegetable buns, as well as various coffees and beverages, attracting crowds of visitors.
Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery showcased a special exhibition titled "Ancient and Modern Auspicious Dragons Roaming Together," featuring Chan-inspired paintings by renowned artist Chen Xingjie and artistic collections representing dragon culture. The Harmony Hall presented the "Water Land Dharma Service Paintings Exhibition," providing insights into the origin and significance of the Water and Land Dharma service and the profound Buddhist painting artistry, allowing visitors to post their wishes on the "Wishing Wall." The Assembly Room hosted the "Dragon Year Art Exhibition," featuring artworks by students of the Hsi Lai Temple Chinese painting class, ranging from floral and landscape paintings to Buddha and Bodhisattva portraits. A "Dharma Verse Interpretation" zone was also set up to address visitors' questions and concerns.
Local resident Art Besh expressed delight in attending Hsi Lai Temple's festivities with his family for the second year in a row, enjoying the lively atmosphere and decorations. Sylvia Wong, a visitor from Orange County, mentioned that she specifically came to the temple with friends to celebrate the New Year and take photos, appreciating the festive ambiance of the temple during the Lunar New Year.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang and Mario)
