Shedding some light on temple’s CNY preparations
BANTING: In continuing its tradition of welcoming visitors with intricate lanterns during the Chinese New Year, the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Dong Zen Temple here is once again gearing up for the celebration.
The team behind some hundreds of lanterns – big and small and in various shapes and designs – is striving to outdo its past creations and inject freshness to the signature event it first held in 2004.
Since it is the Year of the Dog, lanterns in the shape of canines will be prominent, with the biggest at 9mtall rotating above a platform. With a base of golden yellow, it is adorned with Chinese paper cutting motifs.
Other caninethemed lanterns include Dalmatian dogs and ScoobyDoo, which are sure to be the stars of this year’s festivities.
The temple’s chief abbess Ven Jue Cheng said dogs were loyal, brave and respectful of their masters.
“The 2018 Chinese New Year calligraphy by FGS founder Master Hsing Yun said: ‘ Family Legacy of Loyalty and Honour’.
“Dogs have a reputation for being earnest. They protect their humans and want to be their best friends,” she said.
Showing off a collection of plush puppy toys and figurines, Ven Jue Cheng said these items served as reference and inspiration for the lanternmaking team, comprising FGS employees, volunteers and university students.
Christine Teng, 56, a former florist who was roped in to join the team, said preparation for the festi val took a whole year, from brainstorming ideas and sketching the lanterns to making them.
The team’s task is almost completed now, with a number of lanterns already installed at their respective spots.
Many more – Four Great Beauties, nian (a mystical beast in the legend of Chinese New Year), swans and others – will be put up soon.
While appreciating the lanterns, visitors can also drop by the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery for exhibitions on ceramics made by Huang DaAn, water colour paintings by Yong Look Lam and the works of Huang Yao.
The FGS Dong Zen Temple CNY Lantern and Flora Festival 2018 will be held from Feb 14 to March 4.
Ven Jue Cheng said the history of lantern festivals could be traced back to the Tang Dynasty when emperors ordered lanterns to be lit in celebration of the prosperous era.
The temple’s opening hours are from 10am to 10pm. Admission is free.