Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Chicago celebrated the Year of the Metal Rat with a vibrant series of Lunar New Year cultural activities. Despite the freezing Chicago winter, nearly 300 neighbors and devotees gathered with their families to experience the festive atmosphere. In addition to traditional services such as the New Year’s Eve Pilgrimage, the Lantern Offering, and the Homage to a Thousand Buddhas, the temple held a special blessing service entirely in English, praying for peace, prosperity, and world harmony.
Head Priest Venerable Jue Lin welcomed the assembly, noting that the first day of the New Year is a perfect blend of Buddhist and Chinese culture. She introduced the New Year couplet by FGS founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun: “May You Walk the Path to the Very End of the World; May Your Life be Filled with Millions of Blessings.” She encouraged everyone to practice the “Three Acts of Goodness”—speaking good words, doing good deeds, and thinking good thoughts—to cultivate blessings for all.
U.S. Congressman Bill Foster visited the temple to celebrate with the community. Guided by Superintendent Venerable You Heng, the Congressman participated in various cultural activities and expressed a particular fondness for the character “Zheng” (Right/Integrity) he drew, representing the Noble Eightfold Path. He also voiced his strong support for the “Veggie A-Plan” initiative and visited the vegetarian food stalls to offer his personal sponsorship. During a “Tea and Zen” session, he engaged with the monastics in profound dialogue, seeking wisdom on spiritual questions.
Deputy Director-General Yen-Feng Chen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago thanked FGS for its global dedication to culture and education. BLIA Chicago Chapter President Mai-Ping Chou also expressed his gratitude to the local residents, hoping that cultural exchange would continue to foster mutual learning and progress.
During the neighborhood outreach activities, participants experienced lantern making, paper cutting, sutra calligraphy, and tea Zen, while writing their wishes on a prayer tree. Many were intrigued by the “One-Word Zen” activity, where volunteers brushed calligraphy of chosen characters for visitors to take home. Congressman Foster requested a copy of the Master’s New Year couplet to display in his office, sharing the essence of the Dharma and the meaning of happiness with his staff and constituents.
The New Year’s Day Offering featured a procession of BLIA executives, youth, children, and volunteers dressed in diverse traditional ethnic costumes, offering gifts to the Buddhas and the public. Venerable Jue Lin remarked that keeping the public in one’s heart is the ultimate expression of the Bodhisattva path.
To promote “Humanistic Buddhism,” FGS Chicago integrated Buddhist principles with traditional customs throughout the season, starting from Laba Congee distribution to volunteer appreciation events. By blending Dharma teachings with festive celebrations like interpreting Dharma words and welcoming the God of Wealth, the temple provided a sanctuary of joy and blessings for all.