On February 9th, the Chinese New Year Eve, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto welcomed a continuous flow of visitors, over 5000 individuals, gathering to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Distinguished guests from various levels of government, including federal, provincial, and municipal representatives, joined the festivities, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.

Thirteen esteemed guests graced the occasion, including the Hon. Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities; the Hon. Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business; MP Shaun Chen; Senator Victor Oh; the Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business of Ontario; Acting Mayor Joe Horneck of Mississauga; Councilors Martin Reid and Alvin Tedjo. Also present were Director-General Jin-Ling Chen and Dr. Paul Lan, Director of the Culture Centre at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto.

The event commenced with the offering of the first New Year's incense and the ringing of the Peace Bell, symbolizing a collective welcome to the Year of the Dragon. Minister Rechie Valdez conveyed warm wishes from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau through a congratulatory letter.

Reflecting on the significance of the Lunar New Year, Minister Kamal Khera expressed gratitude for celebrating cultural diversity and community unity at Fo Guang Shan. Minister Rechie Valdez praised the temple's contributions to fostering joy, prosperity, and unity within the community through traditional Buddhist celebrations.

Senator Victor Oh acknowledged the event as an opportunity for the Greater Toronto Area to embrace Chinese cultural heritage and welcome the auspicious Year of the Dragon. MP Shaun Chen commended Fo Guang Shan's efforts in promoting cultural understanding and harmony in Canada's multicultural landscape.

Director Chen Jin-Ling expressed joy in returning to Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto for the Year of the Dragon celebration, extending blessings for peace and prosperity in Taiwan and Canada. Local officials, including MPP Nina Tangri, Acting Mayor Joe Horneck, and Councilors Martin Reid and Alvin Tedjo, also extended New Year greetings to attendees.

The evening concluded with an auspicious lion dance performance and a tour of the Fo Guang Chinese New Year Fair, where guests experienced traditional Lunar New Year customs and festivities. The event culminated with the ringing of the Opening Year Peace Bell, as attendees collectively prayed for national prosperity and world peace in the Year of the Dragon.

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