January 19, 2020 – Bodhi Meditation Toronto rang in the new Lunar Year of the Rat with a bang! Hosting its annual Chinese New Year Festival to the theme of “Blessings as wide as the Ocean, Longevity as tall as the Mountains”, the local charitable organization welcomed over 1000 guests to its North York location.
Heralded by locals as one of the Chinese Spring Festival destinations in Toronto, the day-long event was packed with delightful traditional Chinese New Year programs including the Lion and Dragon Performances, a variety of savory and sweet Chinese New Year vegetarian gourmet including special HK milk tea prepared by award-winning Tea Masters.
Auspicious New Year novelty items were freely given to guests – good luck red envelopes, auspicious hand-knotted bracelets, Door Guardian Deity posters, Hand-written couplets in Chinese Calligraphy, Wall Calendars. All these free items were lovingly handed out with blessings and good wishes for a lucky year ahead.
We share highlights of the event below with Photos and Videos!
Wishing one and all a most auspicious 2020 Year of the Rat!
The event site was beautifully and festively decked with Red Lanterns and Peach Blossoms – a favourite selfie area!Children crowd around the God of Wealth and Fortune seeking good luck for the new year! The background features delightful snacks!Guests draw a divination lot to seek guidance for major life decisions; questions of the heart.Guests bathe the baby Buddha visualizing the water purifying one’s body, mind and spirit to welcome the New Year!Against a backdrop of traditional Chinese wooden panels hung with red lanterns, attendees line up to get free high-resolution Chinese New Year photo mementos.Guests pose for a Master Artist to render their charcoal portrait.Bodhi Meditation’s signature Energy Healing is a perennial favourite. Guests enjoy a positive boost of energy to ease pain and improve sleep. Toronto City Councillor Shelley Carroll arrived early to ensure she receives her 1:1 Energy Healing before the Opening Ceremonies!Hand-written Chinese New Year Greetings by a local Calligraphy Master; various local vendors were at hand to introduce their unique wares to Festival attendees!Festival Opening Ceremony kicked off with traditional Lion Dance, Dragon Dance and the Waist-Drum Dance! Representatives from all three levels of Canadian government were on hand to greet guests and congratulate Bodhi Meditation Toronto for its many years of multi-cultural contributions to the local Toronto community. Clockwise from top left: Markham Councillor Amanda Collucci, Senator Thanh Hai Ngo, MPP Vincent Ke, Toronto Councillor Shelley Carroll, Toronto Councillor Jim Karygiannis, MP Shaun Chen and MPP Aris Babikian.Auspicious Dotting of the Lion Eyes: from left to right: Toronto Councillor Shelley Carroll, Senator Thanh Hai Ngo, MP Vincent Ke, Bodhi Meditation Toronto Deputy Director Teacher Kelly, Bodhi Meditation Executive Director Teacher Victoria, Toronto City Councillor Jim Karygiannis, Markham Councillor Amanda Collucci.Guests were all excited to receive the lucky red envelopes being handed out by dignitaries!Bodhi Meditation Toronto volunteers donned traditional Chinese outfits to perform dances, a QiPao fashion show, a Year of the Rat skit.Local singer Wang Lin rendered a beautiful solo. Bodhi Meditation Toronto kids also danced and sang on-stage, contributing to the festivities!Alas, the day went by too quickly… As guests leave the Festival, each received an auspicious hand-knotted bracelet for good luck in the New Year!
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