On February 19, FGS Temple of Toronto and BLIA Toronto Chapter jointly organized the online event, “2022 Celebrate Lantern Festival in the Buddha’s Light.” More than 130 families participated and a warm evening combined the Lantern Festival and the awards ceremony of the 2022 Lantern Design Competition to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the Lunar Calendar. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.  

Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of FGS Temple of Toronto welcomed everyone, "It's fantastic seeing so many Fo Guang people and family participate and join the celebration of Lantern Festival online."

She said, "We are very excited to welcome the year of Tiger, a fresh start and infinite possibilities. Two years into the pandemic, hoping it could begin fading in 2022, and we wish everyone can return to the temple to practice the Dharma, to participate in activities together soon." 

Ms. Mabel Ho, president of BLIA Toronto Chapter, said, "A thousand-year-old darkroom can be lit by a lamp." She urged all to have the light of compassion, wisdom, joy, and faith lighting up in hearts. 

The fun-filled competition, "2022 Lantern Design Competition," has more than 50 children and youth joined this year. All of them demonstrated their creativity by painting lanterns. "It is hoped that through designing and painting lantern, the young generation can learn more about Chinese culture and the beauty of life. There were 59 entries received in a short period," Kimberly Chan, the Vice-President of BLIA Toronto Chapter, explained the objective of organizing the lantern design competition.  

In the end, Venerable Chueh Fan reminded everyone, said, "I hope that everyone can learn from the Guanyin Bodhisattva, to develop great compassion, never forget one’s initial aspirations, and unite as one."  The event was concluded by the ceremony of light offering and prayer in an atmosphere of peace and warmth.

By Hillary Chen