02/16/2025

Xiang Yun Temple Welcomes Vietnamese Visiting Groups to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Buddhist Light

Reported by Shih Cuiyu, Renjian News Agency, Austin, translated by Viva Rogers

On February 16, Xiang Yun Temple welcomed two groups of Vietnamese visitors from Houston, totaling approximately 260 devotees, who gathered to pay homage to the Buddha and offer prayers for blessings.

In the morning, over 60 monastics and devotees from Fude Zen Monastery, led by Venerable Decheng, visited the temple, chanting scriptures and exchanging Lunar New Year greetings with Xiang Yun Temple. With translation assistance from volunteer Sister Ong Huimin, Venerable Jueji extended blessings in Vietnamese and presented the visitors with books by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and festive gifts. The devotees toured the Dharma Wheel and the Wishing Tree, writing prayer cards to offer blessings for their families, society, and the nation.

In the afternoon, more than 200 devotees from Jiyuan Monastery arrived, reverently chanting and praising the Buddhas. The main hall was packed, and the atmosphere was solemn yet lively. Venerable Mingshan shared insights into the Vietnamese Buddhist tradition of temple visits during the Lunar New Year and wished for the flourishing of Xiang Yun Temple’s Dharma activities. Venerable Jueji recited the Heart Sutra in gratitude for the visitors and presented them with New Year gifts.

Although Xiang Yun Temple was not the host temple, they dedicated a reverent altar to the Triple Gem. Sister Tracy from Houston helped with the setup, ensuring an austere and solemn atmosphere. At 5:30 AM on February 9, under the guidance of Sister Lisa from Dallas, the Xiang Yun Temple food preparation team completed over 30 elaborate vegetarian dishes for the offering.

Xiang Yun Temple’s festive decorations drew much attention, with the Wishing Tree adorned with numerous prayer cards. As the event concluded, the monastics and Fo Guang members sang The Buddha’s Light Shines Upon You, bringing the New Year’s pilgrimage to a perfect close.