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Gratefully Turning Away From Worry

Gratefully Turning Away From Worry

New Zealand held its first one-day National Retreat since the pandemic at the Bay of Plenty Branch’s new premises at the Tauranga Racecourse in the middle of October. There was a buzz of excitement as participants from across New Zealand arrived and friends greeted one another face to face for the first time in two […]
All Souls Festival Reflection

All Souls Festival Reflection

During the All Souls Festival I saw respect and caring for the souls who have passed over and the love and caring that was given through the acts of chanting and the many pledges.  Seeing the altars carefully prepared was beautifully sacred and inspired me to set up my own altar in my home.  This […]
Happy Birthday Felicia

Happy Birthday Felicia

A few days ago we, at the Greater Miami Branch, had a very special celebration. Felicia Ponzano, a participant of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA for the past 28 years, reached her 100th birthday! Not only that, but the week prior to her birthday, she had successfully renewed her precious driver’s license—precious […]
All Souls Festival – Reflections

All Souls Festival – Reflections

Many participants have reflected on their experiences during the recent All Souls Festival celebrations. Below are some of the comments received on Facebook. I feel the All Souls Festival is a time of special connection for us with our ancestors and ALL souls. And feeling it so strongly now, that the connection carries on throughout the […]
All Souls Festival Conclusion

All Souls Festival Conclusion

Throughout the vast worldMay there be no anxiety and no hindrance.The cycles of death and life go on;What else could there be?If you go when you must go,How could you not be at ease?Turn your mind to the TaoAnd deliverance will quickly come! Chanting encouraging souls of the departed to let go of attachments and […]
Honoring and Aiding

Honoring and Aiding

There is a Chinese saying “When the dead are at peace, then the living shall prosper.” All Souls Festival gives the living an opportunity to express filial piety, harmony and dedication.  In honouring and aiding the dead during All Souls Festival, we reduce suffering and bring blessings to the worlds of the living and the […]
Goon Yam Precious Announcements

Goon Yam Precious Announcements

Goon Yam, Deity of Compassion, cares for all. “She seeks out and responds to the cries of the worldMoving her spirit and revealing her compassionHer enlightened virtue towers over allAnd her power is deep beyond measureThe netherworld awakens to receive the gift of deliveranceAll beings come to health and receive the gift of life” From […]
Wisdom of the Sutras

Wisdom of the Sutras

All Souls Festival gives souls a chance to listen to the wisdom of the sutras chanted during the days of the festival and become free by resolving any attachments, entanglements, or conflicts they had during their lifetimes.
Troubled Souls

Troubled Souls

Chanting during All Souls Festival brings peace to troubled souls who have died tragically. Our special offerings for these souls help them find release from their suffering.
Harmony

Harmony

We all have a relationship with our ancestors. All Souls Festival provides a way to care for and maintain harmony with them. This harmony then permeates our lives and our communities.  The Columbarium, the cemetery and the Memorial Hall at the Fung Loy Kok International Centre are each dedicated to caring for the souls of […]
Preparing for All Souls Festival

Preparing for All Souls Festival

As we prepare for All Souls Festival we compose ourselvesWe approach the tasks with respectful intentionCarefully, and with reverence we place items on the altarFlowers, fruit, Jai, tea, wineWe light incenseIt is muted, quiet. There is a palpable sense of connection.We chantAt closing it is joyful Can I approach my life with the same respectful […]
Beautiful Bags

Beautiful Bags

All Souls Festival gives the living an opportunity to express filial piety, harmony and dedication by honouring ancestors, relatives and friends who have passed away.  Beautiful paper bags decorated with symbols of longevity, balance and comfort in the afterlife hold paper offerings to be burnt.
Volunteers

Volunteers

At this time of year the temples bustle with activity. Volunteers at D’Arcy Street and the Fung Loy Kok International Centre prepare for the All Souls Festival. They wash fruit, prepare jai vegetarian food as offerings and fill bags with paper offerings.
Care Offerings

Care Offerings

In traditional Taoist belief, souls of the dead continue to need care from those in the world of the living. Offerings to them include items for daily use such as food, shelter, clothing and money.
Paper Offerings

Paper Offerings

Buddhist and Taoist temples around the world observe All Souls Festival during the first half of the 7th lunar month when the gates of the realm of the dead are opened and the souls of the deceased can receive offerings.  Paper offerings help the souls. 
Paper Money

Paper Money

All Souls Festival is one of the most important times of year in the Taoist calendar. It provides an opportunity for the living to honor those who have passed away. Volunteers prepare paper offerings for the souls of the departed in the Realm of Yin.
Goon Yam Festival

Goon Yam Festival

Yesterday Fung Loy Kok participants from around the world chanted to celebrate and be inspired by Goon Yam (Guanyin), the bodhisattva of compassion. Through chanting together our intention is to bring greater peace and harmony to the world.  
Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mothers Day母親節快樂 In all that we do, we cherish our parents百行孝為先 See and like the post on Facebook
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