Highlights of Lanterns
Main Theme Lantern – May Benevolence and Harmony Bring Peaceful Wellbeing, Let Abundance and Joy Yield Auspiciousness in Our Lives
This year is the Year of Rabbit, Venerable Master Hsing Yun offers his CNY blessings to everyone, “May Benevolence and Harmony Bring Peaceful Wellbeing, Let Abundance and Joy Yield Auspiciousness in Our Lives”. Wishing that everyone treat others with benevolence, harmony, humbleness and compassion, benevolence and harmony will invite peace and health, with this comes abundance, joy and auspiciousness, all good things will come in perfection. In China there is a Chinese idiom that says “The clever rabbit has three holes to its burrow”, which signifies the smart rabbit that is great in protecting itself. We wish everyone to be as skilful and intelligent as the rabbit in the new year, with great insight into the future. This year’s main theme lantern is a large, shiny and bright rabbit which is as tall as 10 meters (30 feet), it will serve as a hotspot for photo-taking by the public.
Primary Lantern - White Rabbit Brings Prosperity, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Cleanses The Pureland
As you walk into the mountain gate, the one that attracts you the most is the 3D autostereoscopy high definition video screen, where you can see the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva appearing in front of your eyes, the Bodhisattva holds a white vase that scatters sweet dew across the world, blessing everyone with peace, auspiciousness, good health and joyfulness. Along both sides of the mountain gate, you will see traditional cultural lanterns and the twelve Chinese zodiac paper-cutting lanterns.
Secondary Lantern - Happy Birthday to You
We specially present to you a birthday cake lantern surrounded by many large and small rabbits, wishing you boundless light and longevity. Every day is a new beginning, every day is a day of rebirth, every day is our birthday.
Lumbini Garden – The Story of the Rabbit King
The Buddha used to be the rabbit king in his past life. During that time there was a practitioner cultivating in the mountains. The rabbit king will listen to the practitioner’s chanting of sutras, he will be very happy and will pluck fruits to make offerings to the practitioner. Winter arrived and the practitioner was afraid he will face a shortage of food and thought of leaving. The rabbit king knew about this and told the practitioner that he will sacrifice himself if he can’t find food to make offerings to the practitioner. One day, the rabbit king saw the practitioner meditating in hunger and extreme cold, the rabbit king tossed himself into the burning flames to offer himself to the practitioner. Due to the tremendous merits accumulated while offering himself to the practitioner, the rabbit king was reborn into Tusita heaven and became a great Bodhisattva.
May There Be Abundance Year After Year – Underwater World
This year, the walkway in front of Lumbini Garden has been transformed into an underwater world. You can see fishes swimming freely, with special projected waves, you will seem to be entering the underwater tunnel of the aquarium.
33 Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva – The Jade Rabbit Welcomes CNY With A Heart That Resembles The Full Moon
Chinese New Year is an ideal time for family and friends to gather for reunion during full moon. The moonlight shines upon the red archway, accompanied by the presence of adorable rabbits. Joining our palms together to pray to the 33 Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, wishing that everyone will fulfill their wishes, with hearts like the full moon, with lights in our minds, shining upon ourselves and upon others, welcoming the arrival of a life filled will positive outlook.
Buddhist College Arch Door - The Rabbit Announces Auspiciousness
The arch door presents the rabbits in Chinese New Year atmosphere. The rabbits in the flower beds symbolizes good luck and auspiciousness. The picture of rabbits, vegetables and fruits represents the meaning of abundance in food and clothing.