01/29/2025

Austin Xiang Yun Temple: Lunar New Year Dharma Assembly

Written by Cuiyu Shi

New Year's Eve Longevity Blessing Ceremony

On the evening of January 28, Xiang Yun Temple held a “New Year's Eve Longevity Blessing Ceremony”, attracting over 60 devoted participants. Under the guidance of three Dharma Masters, attendees sincerely chanted the “Medicine Buddha Initiation Mantra”, performed prostrations, and recited “Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year's Eve Prayer”. The ceremony also included “the First Incense Offering, Lantern Appreciation, and the Ringing of the Happiness Bell”, welcoming the arrival of the new year.

During the Dharma talk, Venerable Jue Ji shared, “The path of life is paved with good affinities, fortune, compassion, wisdom, diligence, perseverance, meditation, and inclusiveness. Only through continuous practice can one walk a broader road." He encouraged the congregation, saying, “Opportunities come to those who are prepared." She also quoted Venerable Master Hsing Yun's calligraphy for the New Year: ‘Keep going, the future is bright,’ reminding everyone that hope always lies ahead.

To share the festive joy, the temple also prepared “prosperity cakes (fa gao), mandarin oranges, and peace amulets” as tokens of blessing for attendees.

New Year's Day - Thousand Buddhas Worship Ceremony

On January 29, the first day of the “Yi Si Year”, Xiang Yun Temple hosted a New Year's Thousand Buddhas Worship Ceremony, drawing over 120 devotees. Participants reverently paid homage to the Buddhas and recited Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year's Prayer, encouraging themselves to refine their body, speech, and mind while advancing in their spiritual practice throughout the year.

Venerable Jue Ji shared wisdom from the “Ten Practices Song", reminding practitioners to follow the right path and integrate Buddhist teachings into daily life. To help participants learn the verses, Venerable Yong Jia demonstrated different melodies in the main hall, allowing everyone to joyfully absorb and internalize Buddhist wisdom through music.

Both ceremonies were successful and spiritually uplifting, allowing attendees to begin the new year immersed in Dharma joy and confidence. The main hall was adorned with cultural exhibitions, Buddhist items for circulation, a Dharma Wheel fortune, and a nostalgic New Year photo booth, creating a warm and festive atmosphere where families celebrated together in happiness.