Donghua zen temple announces 2025 new year's lantern lighting & blessing ceremony

DATELINE: November 13, 2024

As the sands of time flow swiftly and the years unfold, Donghua Zen Temple is delighted to announce that it will hold its "2025 New Year's Lantern Lighting and Blessing Ceremony" on the auspicious evening of December 31, 2024 (the first day of the twelfth lunar month in the Year of the Wood Rat). The Temple's Abbot, Venerable Wanxing, will personally preside over the ceremony.

The Temple cordially invites devotees from all corners of the world to gather together and step into 2025 with reverence, lighting lanterns with sincere hearts to pray for world peace, prosperity of the nation, longevity of the Dharma, and happiness for all people.

Origins of the New Year's Lantern Lighting Ceremony
The term "Yuan Dan" has been used in China for over 4,000 years, referring to January 1st of the Gregorian calendar, the first day of the year. Holding a lantern lighting ceremony on New Year's Eve symbolizes igniting lights of blessings for the new year and represents the continuous succession of the Dharma, like an unbroken lineage of lamps.

Every year on the evening of December 31st, Donghua Zen Temple conducts the "New Year's Eve Lantern Lighting & Blessing Ceremony". On the following morning (January 1, 2025), a ceremony to raise the national flag and chant sutras for the protection of the nation is held.

Abbot Wanxing will lead the Temple's fourfold assembly, along with devotees and visitors from across the country, in offering prayers for the nation and its people: for peace and stability in the country, an abundant year, longevity for all, and myriad blessings to follow wherever we go!

The Significance of Lantern Lighting
To light a lamp within one's heart is to illumine the world of Dharma. Just as the Buddha's teachings are like a bright lamp in this Saha world, dispelling the darkness and ignorance in the world and in people's minds, bringing light and hope. Therefore, the transmission of the Buddha's teachings is also known as "transmitting the lamp", symbolizing the passing on of the Dharma from one generation to the next, like the flame of a lamp.

"Transmitting the lamp" is a large-scale Buddhist practice ceremony with clear symbolic meaning. The Mahaprajnaparamita Sastra states: "In order for the Dharma to not become extinct, one should teach and transform disciples. The disciples will then teach others in turn, like a lamp igniting other lamps."

Thus, "transmitting the lamp" has two major meanings: First, it represents the transmission of the Buddha's teachings from generation to generation, with the flame of wisdom passed on ceaselessly, connecting minds in perfect accord. Second, it represents the light of wisdom that dispels darkness and the afflictions of ignorance. "Transmitting the lamp" also signifies passing on the flame of the Dharma, igniting the light of wisdom, dedicating oneself, and helping others. Through this lantern lighting, we transmit the blessings in our hearts: May everyone have a bright future filled with wisdom, and may the world enjoy a future of peace and happiness.

❀ Participation Guide ❀

◌ Time: Evening of December 31, 2024, around 19:00 (specific time to be announced by the reception hall).

◌ Location: Dragon and Phoenix Plaza, Donghua Zen Temple.

◌ Ceremony Program: Chanting of the Great Compassion Mantra, chanting of the Aspiration Prayer led by the Abbot, lighting of lanterns, singing of the Evening Bell Gatha, transmission of light, circumambulating the stupa to pray for blessings, dedication of merit, etc.

◌ Important Notes: Please arrive at the venue half an hour in advance, dressed in simple and dignified attire. Please respect the Buddhist faith, maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor, and follow the order of the ceremony.