Volunteers Power Lunar New Year Celebrations at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

February 17, 2026

On February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year, nearly 7,000 devotees and community members gathered at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto to offer prayers and usher in the Year of the Horse with renewed faith and aspiration. Following the Thousand Buddhas Dharma Service, Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan expressed sincere appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers whose dedicated service ensured the orderly and uplifting success of the celebrations, and extended blessings of peace and auspiciousness for the year ahead.

Referring to the 2026 New Year blessing given by Fo Guang Shan Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun—“Harmony and Coexistence, Galloping Towards Success”—the Abbess emphasized that harmony begins with inner composure and clarity. In times of social uncertainty, cultivating a calm and steadfast mind, and practicing the Three Acts of Goodness—doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts—enable individuals to strengthen families, support communities, and contribute positively to society at large.

The Temple’s vibrant New Year atmosphere was made possible through collective commitment. More than 400 volunteers offered their service on Lunar New Year’s Eve alone, reflecting the unity and cooperation that sustain the Temple’s mission of advancing Humanistic Buddhism throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

BLIA Toronto Chapter President Kevin Cao led distinguished guests in the traditional New Year incense offering. Honoured attendees included Member of Parliament Michael Ma; Mr. Henry Lee, Honorary Consul of Malaysia; Councillor Castro Liu, City of Richmond Hill; Councillor Scott Xie, Town of Oakville; Constable Jai Dhaliwal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bureau, Peel Regional Police; Mr. Joseph Chen, Senior Vice President, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto; Dr. Jizhang Yi, Interim Director, Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice, Trinity College, University of Toronto; and Mr. Nauman Khan, Associate Vice President, Government and Community Relations, Sheridan College.

The Temple prepared more than 2,000 Auspicious Vegetarian Lunch Boxes, each accompanied by a symbolic longevity peach bun representing blessings of health and well-being. Additional highlights included a Wishing Tree, the “108 Tips for Life” Dharma Message Wall, the Happiness Bell, and a charity sale supporting the Institute’s Education Fund—demonstrating Fo Guang Shan’s enduring commitment to education, compassion, and community service.

Representatives from all levels of government, locally elected officials, and educational institutions joined community leaders in offering incense and celebrating the Lunar New Year at the Temple.
Member of Parliament Michael Ma presented a congratulatory message, expressing appreciation for Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto’s longstanding service to the community and its contributions to cultural development.
On Lunar New Year’s Day, a time when many traditionally visit temples to pray for blessings, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto welcomed nearly 7,000 visitors on February 17.
Members of the Fo Guang Dragon and Lion Dance Team  delivered an energetic and skillful performance, earning enthusiastic  applause from the audience.
The “108 Tips for Life” Dharma Message Wall by Venerable Master Hsing Yun became a popular stop, where visitors sought meaningful New Year guidance.
The calligraphy exhibition “Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Dharma Sayings and Ancient Chan Poetry” by Xu Qiming drew many visitors to pause in quiet appreciation.
The Happiness Bell area was filled with warm family moments, as parents and children tolling the bell together to make New Year wishes.
The Temple’s Wishing Tree invited visitors to hang their heartfelt New Year aspirations high upon its branches.
A special “Charity Sale” section was established this year in support of the Education Fund of the Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice,  Trinity College, University of Toronto.
The calligraphy booth attracted adults and children alike, offering a joyful hands-on experience of traditional brush writing, with participants bringing home their personally written blessings.

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