2025 Hsi Lai Temple Lunar New Year Celebration Peace Lantern Festival
Since 1980, under the guidance of Fo Guang Shan's founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Peace Lantern Festival was established with the mission to purify hearts and build a Pure Land on Earth. For over 40 years, this event has brought Fo Guang Shan devotees and friends from around the world together to celebrate the Lunar New Year with joy, peace, and spiritual growth.
The 2025 Peace Lantern Festival will be held from January 29th to February 12th (Lunar New Year’s day to the 15th day of the lunar calendar). Hsi Lai Temple has planned a series of activities designed to inspire joy, compassion, and wisdom. We warmly welcome new and returning visitors, families and friends, to join us and connect with the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, and the wholeness within themselves.
The past year has brought challenges such as ongoing global conflicts, extreme climate changes, and rising living costs. In such times, maintaining inner peace and optimism about the future can be a daunting task. To mark the Year of the Snake in 2025, Venerable Master Hsing Yun offers the blessing: “Keep Going, the Future is Bright” This message encourages everyone to step out boldly, persevere with diligence, and trust that brightness lies ahead.
The phrase “Keep Going” echoes The Saṃyuktāgama Sūtra , which is likened to the ancient sages' path. Regardless of adversities or favorable conditions, grand masters and virtuous sages forged a path of compassion and wisdom for us to follow. With confidence and hope, we can walk this path toward the light. Similarly, the phrase “The Future is Bright” reflects the Middle Length Discourses teaching: “Just as the immaculate moon travels through the vast sky, it outshines the stars and illuminates all.” Guided by the wisdom of the Buddhas, the Dharma, and the Sangha, we can dispel ignorance and darkness, embrace clarity, and welcome a year filled with warmth, peace, and light.
We invite you to join us at Hsi Lai Temple to celebrate this meaningful festival and begin the new year with hope and blessings.
