Reflection on the Chinese New Year at BGM
by Darlene (Chuan Ling) Cioffi-Pangilla

Entering the Chan Hall, we are welcomed with thoughtfully planned flower arrangements and altar adornments. Greeting us was the traditional Chinese New year color of red. Red everywhere: symbolizing for me compassion, strength and power (power in the sense of coming in touch with my True Nature).

As we chanted through the liturgy, I could feel and sense a quieting within the assembly. Evoking the name of Guan Yin, over and over, penetrated the very core of our beings and we relaxed, became calmer. There was peacefulness inside. Peace in my “core”, peace in the assembly’s “core”, peace in the Chan Hall and peace hopefully in the world (if for only an instant peace happened).

As I chanted and was mindful of Guan Yin’s name, I recalled the names of those I had “blessing tablets” prepared for. I knew they, too, were being heard and their needs met because of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s great, pure vows and skill in responding in all places.

Amitofo

 

 
   

Copyright © Buddha Gate Monastery - All Rights Reserved