Two billion Asians will celebrate the lunar new year next week – and in Canberra, the Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre, Lyneham, will hold its annual community and family festival on Monday night.

The informal event begins at 6pm, and features music, entertainment, and food. Gourmet food stalls will serve dozens of dishes, and all are invited to a dinner – all vegetarian.

There will be firecrackers; lion dancing by the Prosperous Mountain Team; and folk singing and karaoke.

Prayers will be offered, and gifts given to all guests and visitors.

The event is also an opportunity to learn more about Buddhism; thousands of books will be available for free.

Established in 1983, the Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre is Canberra’s largest Buddhist temple, and has the tallest open-air statues of the Buddha in Australia. In his blessing speech, the Abbot, the Most Venerable Thích Quảng Ba, will recount the community centre’s charity work over the last year.

The largely Vietnamese congregation and their friends have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help COVID and flood victims in Vietnam – many of whom had lost jobs, and were poor, handicapped, or sick. Thanks to the Abbot’s linkage with monks and nuns in remote areas, the temple delivered rice and money.

The meaning of the Lunar New Year

The lunar new year, explains the Abbot, is an important occasion for people to spend time for culture, religion, and family; a time for reflection and contemplation; and to honour ancestors.

In pure Buddhist philosophy, the Abbot said, the lunar festival is not so important, but it is a good cause to celebrate.

“People need to have a good rest after working for 11 months; they need to enjoy the creation of their working year.”

Traditionally, people eat better food, wear better clothing, spend a week visiting family members and friends, organise parties, and visit temples. At extended family gatherings, they pay respect to their ancestors, whose hard work gave their descendants a good life. Family members wish each other well, and exchange gifts; the older generation gives youngsters red envelopes with money, while the younger generation offers money or practical gifts.

In Vietnam, many of these practices were influenced by Chinese culture, the Abbot said. Later, when Buddhism arrived in Vietnam from India 2,000 years ago, teachers adapted Buddhist philosophy to the local culture.

“Buddhism always integrates into the local culture, and tries to harmonise with the people,” the Abbot said.

From a spiritual perspective, the lunar new year – “a major month through life’s spin” – is an important occasion to restart to a new year.

The Abbot advised people to live simply and respectfully, and to reduce tension, frustration, and anger – feelings that bring suffering into our lives.

Practice Buddhism by non-attachment; we should try to live within our means, and work hard to progress in our lives, but we need to spend time to train our minds. Then, we will be more able to lead a happier life, and have more opportunity for happiness.

“People might work hard to make more money, and climbing the social ladder,” the Abbot said, “but they are still suffering, because they do not know how to live within their means; how to have a pure, clear, contemplative mind; and how to avoid wrongdoing.

“People need to learn a lot to make sure they can follow the Buddha’s steps, then they can enjoy a happier life, spiritually.”

The Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre’s annual community and family festival celebrating the lunar Year of the Tiger will run from 6pm to late, Monday, 31 January. The Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre, 32 Archibald St, Lyneham. Admission free; all welcome.

Program:

• 6pm: Gourmet Vegie Food Stalls opening till late [DOZENS of dishes].
• 6.30-7.30pm: Courtesy annual vegetarian dinner, all invited.
• Thousands of Buddhism books for free collection; New Year Gifts to all guests and visitors.
• Participants: Lucky fruits and personalized New Year messages.
• 8pm: The New Year Music Festival – Prayers for everyone’s ancestors, parents, and family.
• 8.30pm: Blessing speech by Abbot Thích Quảng Ba.
• 8.45pm: Cultural performances intertwined with New Year Welcoming Message given by invited VIPs, MLAs, and community leaders; New Year gifts presented to all children and adults.
• 9.15pm – Late: Firecrackers and Lion Dance 1 by Prosperous Mountain Team; the New Year Music festival.
• 11.50pm: Firecrackers and Lion Dance 2.
• 00.10am: Prayers for world peace and family well-being.