CELEBRATION OF CHINESE NEW YEAR ON FEBRUARY 2008
This crisp February morning, the sun shined brightly- its breath of life reunited once again with the earth. As usual, the Buddhists of ABLS were welcomed in with the uplifting atmosphere of vibrant colors adorning every wall and corner of the temple. Each table had gifts of tangerines delicately placed
in intervals, awaiting the arriving guests. But today was no ordinary day. Today was the toast to the beginning of yet another new year. Flowers, blessed red envelopes and mountains of offerings and food were additions to every shrine. Somehow, one could sense the glowing energy and good spirits pouring in from every person. And it was beautiful.
Every direction one turned was greeted with smiling faces, bowing as they wished one another a healthy, happy new year. Volunteers busily shuffled about lending helping hands. Miraculously, even with so much going on, everything turned out to be in an organized fashion.
The temple service began at nine o’clock with group chanting from Maitreya Bodhisattva Triple Sutras(彌勒三經). The Abbess lit several large candles while volunteers helped to light the remaining ones. Each heart-shaped candle was contained in stained-glass cups. Every candle carried the name of a donating Buddhist. The lighting symbolizes blessing for a bright and safe coming year. As our honorable Abbess and Resident Venerables led the ceremony with an enlightening energy we all yearn to learn from. Many voices blended simultaneously as one as we chanted, we kneeled and bowed; the hearts in chanting safely brought in Buddhists traveling to the temple. They trickled in and gracefully joined the expanding number of followers.
The first part of service came to rest within an hour and resumed at 10:30 a.m. as the Abbess gave a hear felt lecture about the meaning of New Year, laughed along with the listeners as she told amusing stories, and taught us about some Buddhist philosophy. She carefully selected several passages from the sutra and explained the significance of each one.
Our normal chanting service continued after eleven, with an outstanding turnout of guests. We proceeded to chant from the Morning and Evening Prayer Book. During the ceremony, the Abbess kneeled and offered incense to each Buddha seated upon their garnished shrine. The ceremony ended with people from each side of the room turned to bow to each other.
Following the ceremony, our guests were quickly seated. The pleasant aroma that had spread throughout the room revealed a plethora of vegetarian food prepared by donors. Our kind volunteers and Ven. Tien Ling efficiently served everybody and ensured that each person received a hearty amount
of New Year’s lunch. Vegetables, potato soup, noodles, Chinese pancakes, tofu and red bean soup were amongst the variety of exceptionally appetizing dishes. As to carry on the tradition, the Abbess and Resident Venerable concluded the morning by distributing red envelopes that had been blessed prior to the ceremonies.
Indeed, today was a special, eventful day. Not only was it special because it was the first day of New Year, but it was extraordinary because it is a reminder of the goodness people bring when they congregate. For the individual, it is a day to be a part of everybody’s lives and to experience all the positive energy emitted from the friends all around us. Truly, each person left with wealth, which was the finding of a little more of the Buddha within themselves and the gaining the beauty of sharing with others.
