Galloping into the New Year: Hsi Lai Temple’s Auspicious Fire Horse Illuminates the Spring Peace Lantern Festival

Report by Pan Ching-Hsia, The News Agency, Los Angeles, USA

With the spirit of a galloping horse welcoming the New Year, Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple officially opened its 15-day Spring Peace Lantern Festival on February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Fire Horse. Centered around the theme lantern, the “Auspicious Fire Horse,” this year’s festival emphasized cultural exchange and featured a wide range of activities, including New Year cultural performances, the “Galloping on the Right Path” Year of the Horse Art Exhibition, a calligraphy exhibition, a vegetarian food fair, the Peace Bell ceremony, lantern-lighting and blessing prayers, a Wishing Tree, and Dharma Words interpretation sessions. Nearly 20,000 visitors gathered on opening day to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

After an overnight spring rain, a rainbow appeared above Hsi Lai Temple. By 5:00 a.m., crowds had already begun arriving, while volunteers stationed throughout the temple greeted everyone with heartfelt wishes of “Happy New Year!”

During the Thousand Buddhas Dharma Service, Venerable Huidong, Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, explained the meaning behind Fo Guang Shan Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year message, “Harmony and Coexistence; Galloping Towards Success.” He encouraged everyone to follow the compassionate practices of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. He emphasized that “success upon arrival” does not mean achieving instant success overnight, but rather attaining success step by step through consistently practicing the Three Acts of Goodness, the Four Givings, and the Five Harmonies.

Prior to the cultural performances, Venerable Huidong further remarked that true success extends beyond personal achievement. Every endeavor must be built upon a harmonious society and a spirit of coexistence. When our hearts are filled with tolerance, compassion, peace, and purity, success naturally follows in both our personal and professional lives.

Among the distinguished guests offering New Year greetings were California State Treasurer Fiona Ma; Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna; Ryan Serrano, Deputy District Director for Los Angeles County’s First Supervisorial District; Yulissa Sanchez, Deputy District Director for California’s 38th Assembly District; Daniel Andalon, representing State Senator Bob Archuleta; Stephen Coronel, representing Assemblymember Lisa Calderon; La Puente Mayor Brian Bergman; and San Gabriel Mayor John Wu. Each emphasized the importance of continuing to promote public safety, cultural exchange, and community collaboration in the coming year.

Additional honored guests included Glenn Emery, Lieutenant of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Industry Station; Melissa Hammond, Commander of the California Highway Patrol Santa Fe Springs Area Office; Gino Kwok, Vice President of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board of Education; David Fang, President of the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association (HHIA); Cory Moss, Mayor of the City of Industry; Kenny Chang, CEO of KCAL Insurance; Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta, President of the University of the West; and Echo Tsai, President of BLIA Los Angeles Chapter.

Amid enthusiastic applause, the New Year cultural performances commenced in the Courtyard. The Northern Shaolin Martial Arts Team presented an energetic lion dance accompanied by dynamic martial arts demonstrations that blended strength with grace. Renowned calligrapher Pan Ching-Chung captivated audiences by creating large Chinese characters with flowing strokes directly on the ground using water calligraphy. BLIA Los Angeles performed “Cloud and Water Zen Fan Dance,” expressing the tranquility of Zen through graceful fan movements. The powerful rhythms of the Japanese taiko drummers echoed throughout the temple grounds, while Aztec dancers moved in synchronized steps and raised their voices in harmony with the drumbeats. Spectators enthusiastically clapped along with the performances.

Lining both sides of the Courtyard, colorful flower displays surrounded a giant “FGS 60” inflatable installation, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Fo Guang Shan. A commemorative display highlighted Fo Guang Shan’s worldwide temple, symbolizing Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s aspiration of “Letting the Dharma Flow Across the Five Continents.” A smiling inflatable figure of Venerable Master Hsing Yun stood with open arms beside the slogan “Passing the Lamp for Sixty Years; Looking Ahead to the 100 years Legacy.” Lanterns depicting the Three Acts of Goodness Novice Monks and a cheerful pony holding a gold ingot welcomed visitors, while a gleaming golden Wish Tree invited guests to toss prayer ribbons carrying their heartfelt wishes. Long lines formed as visitors patiently waited to ring the Peace Bell, its resonant sound echoing throughout the temple.

The Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Hsi Lai Temple hosted the “Galloping on the Right Path” Year of the Horse Art Exhibition, while the Harmony Hall featured the Pan Ching-Chung Calligraphy Exhibition, showcasing the beauty of Chinese painting and calligraphy. At Assembly Hall, a special “Dharma Word Interpretation” area offered visitors the opportunity to gain deeper insights into Buddhist teachings. Meeting Room served as a volunteer hospitality area, providing tea, refreshments, and boxed meals.

A lively vegetarian food fair took place in front of the Bodhisattvas Hall where booths hosted by BLIA Los Angeles subchapters, Fo Guang Hsi Lai School, the Buddha’s Light Youth Symphony Orchestra (BLYSO), Fo Guang Scout Troop 8888, Pack 8888, and Fo Guang Girl Scout Troop 18894 served a wide variety of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and other vegetarian specialties. The aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air as visitors enjoyed the cuisine and fellowship.

Nearly 1,000 volunteers participated in the event. Volunteers from the Traffic Safety Team worked closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Industry Station) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to ensure safe traffic flow and shuttle operations. Through the joint efforts of law enforcement officers and volunteers, the Spring Peace Lantern Festival began in a peaceful, joyful, and harmonious atmosphere.