A 20-minute brownout failed to dampen the festive atmosphere at the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Chu Un Temple whose visitors celebrated the Chinese New Year last Sunday.
Over 500 people gathered at the temple from 6 p.m. onwards to greet the New Year.
The visitors cheered when the red and gold lanterns that hung along the pathways flickered and lighted anew.
February 8 ushered in the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese lunar calendar.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Chinese Buddhist monk and founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, said the mantra for this year is to “Be smart and agile.”
“What impression does the monkey give to us? The monkey is very active and always giving each other joy. So we hope that we also learn from the monkey to be smart and agile — always giving others joy, confidence, hope and convenience,” said Venerable Master Shi Youlin, Chu Un temple abbess in Cebu.
The master, who led several rituals during the celebration of Chinese New Year last Sunday, said being smart and agile should be more than just a slogan; it should be a way of life.
The five-hour celebration, which began with a lion dance and dragon dance at 7 p.m. and culminated with a round of fireworks at midnight, featured local young artists.
In between performances, Master Youlin and two other temple monks performed the ritual chants for the yearend and new year prayers to Buddha.
Nearing midnight, the temple monks also beat the huge drum and gong located in front of the temple’s main shrine.
A display of fireworks welcomed the Year of the Monkey with a bang.