02/02/2025

Vietnamese Monastics and Devotees Visit Xiang Yun Temple, Enriching Cultural Exchange

By Tuy Shi

On the afternoon of February 2, 150 Vietnamese-American devotees from Phu Quang Monastery in Dallas, led by four monastics, traveled by a tour bus to Xiang Yun Temple to pay respects to the Buddha, bringing an atmosphere of peace and joy to the Lunar New Year celebrations.

The visitors, dressed in vibrant traditional Vietnamese “áo dài”, reverently entered the main shrine hall. Venerable Jue Ji warmly welcomed the guests, offering blessings of peace and auspiciousness. As a token of goodwill, he presented books by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, calligraphy scrolls, Spring Festival couplets, and monastic calendars to the visitors. In return, Venerable Thien Tri from Phu Quang Monastery expressed gratitude and led the group in a solemn Vietnamese Buddhist chant, offering thanks to the Buddha in a profoundly sacred and touching ceremony.

This visit enhanced Buddhist cultural exchange between the two communities. The guests showed great interest in the architectural and cultural aspects of the Chinese Buddhist temple. Their visit coincided with Xiang Yun Temple’s Lunar New Year celebrations and cultural experiences, allowing them to join over 2,000 attendees in enjoying cultural and artistic performances and exploring calligraphy and historical artifacts.

Although their stay lasted only one hour, the devotees left with Dharma joy and heartfelt blessings. Before departing, they took a group photo as a memento of the occasion, looking forward to returning to Xiang Yun Temple in the future to further experience the beauty of Buddhist culture and art.