Quang Minh Temple, a Vietnamese temple in North Chicago that integrates Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhist traditions, is dedicated to propagating the Dharma. On February 8, its Head Priest, Venerable Thich Minh Hanh, led 103 devotees on a Lunar New Year blessing pilgrimage to the Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Temple. They were warmly received with a welcoming speech by Head Priest Venerable Yung Han and BLIA members.
Following the reception, Venerable Thich Minh Hanh and Venerable Miao Wei led the assembly in chanting the Heart Sutra and “A New Year’s Prayer” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in both Vietnamese and English. The group gathered before the Triple Gem Buddhas to offer lamps and pray for peace and auspiciousness in the coming year. The temple shared “Peace Rice,” Medicine Buddha blessing cards, and the Master’s Dharma words with the visitors. Venerable Yung Han also presented Vietnamese translations of the Master’s works, including Ten Methods for Managing the Mind and How to Change Your Destiny. Ke-Ying Wang, President of the BLIA Chicago Chapter, offered a donation to Quang Minh Temple on behalf of the members, while Venerable Thich Minh Hanh offered a reciprocal gift in return.
After the blessing ceremony, the participants visited various cultural booths to experience One-Stroke Calligraphy, lotus origami, and the “Life’s 108 Matters” wisdom cards, allowing everyone to grow in wisdom and Dharma joy during the New Year season. Festive delicacies such as red bean mochi, turnip cakes, flower buns, peanut crisps, and lotus seed red date tea were served to the public.
Venerable Thich Minh Thuan, who accompanied the group, remarked with emotion that this visit allowed him to relive the joy and inspiration he felt when he personally visited Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung years ago. At the conclusion of the event, BLIA members formed a line, making lotus hand seals and singing “May the Buddha’s Light Shine on You” while waving farewell to the guests.