Chinese New Year Eve Buddha Name Recitation
Than Hsiang Temple held a Chanting Session on the Eve of Chinese New Year to usher in the year of the Rooster. It was a meaningful night as devotees gathered at the Main Shrine Hall to recite the prayers instead of the traditional way of playing mahjong or burning lots of firecrackers.

Rooster symbolizes energy and diligence. Therefore is a good example for Buddhists to follow.

Chinese New Year One Day Retreat
On the first day of Chinese New Year, more than 130 devotees participated in the One Day Retreat.

Most of the Chinese would wish each other Gong Xi Fa Cai, and children would be happy as they will receive Ang Pows from their elders. Traditionally “Fa Cai means prosperity. However in Buddhism there are seven types of prosperities – trust, precept, confession, repentance, receiving teaching, generosity and wisdom. To gain wisdom is to be prosperous in terms of cultivation.

Chanting the name of the Amitabha Buddha, which represents infinite life and light, would not only increase our merits and wisdom but it will also bring us calm and joy.

Chinese New Year Caroling
The Than Hsiang carol group visited 42 homes on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year to bring cheer and to invoke the blessings of the triple gems by chanting the mantra of the Medical Buddha.

Chinese New Year Lamp Lighting

The annual lamp-lighting ceremony which stretches over a period of nine days started on the eve of the New Year. Lamps were light and prayers were chanted for the whole period to invoke blessings for happiness, harmony and world peace. Merits accrued were transferred to all sentient beings.

All proceeds from the lamp lighting ceremony were directed to our free clinic fund.