On 17 February 2026, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland celebrated the first day of the Lunar Year of the Horse with the New Year Lights Offering Service. Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ led the blessing ceremony, and more than 300 devotees gathered in the Main Shrine to chant and respectfully recite Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year Prayer. Attendees offered lights and prayed for their families, expressing heartfelt wishes for peace and auspiciousness, harmony in society, and peace throughout the world.
Abbess emphasised that harmony is the foundation of all success, and that harmony should begin with inner peace and joy, then extend to family harmony, mutual respect between people, and a harmonious society, ultimately realising the ideal of world peace. Supporting the Temple by nurturing people’s hearts, purifying the mind and cultivating wisdom, is a practical way of embodying Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teaching of the Five Harmonies. Abbess encouraged everyone to let the Buddha’s light become a light of wisdom that illuminates the heart and a light of hope that awakens inner strength, blessing all to be auspicious and successful in the new year, and to progress steadily with the endurance and sense of purpose symbolised by the horse.
During the Lunar New Year period, the Temple arranged a series of festive activities, including lion dance performances, the distribution of auspicious New Year red envelopes, vegetarian food stalls, one-stroke calligraphy rubbings and more. These celebrations welcomed thousands of visitors who came to experience the New Year atmosphere, encouraging everyone to cherish harmony and receive the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the year ahead.
Visitors queued throughout the courtyard to receive auspicious New Year red envelopes bearing the blessings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The Temple offered its heartfelt wish that all who received them be graced by the Master’s wisdom and bring lasting peace and harmony to their homes.
BLIA YAD Auckland’s lion dance brought vibrant energy to the Temple, offering New Year greetings to the visitors. With vegetarian stalls, wishing bells, and lively crowds across the shrines and gallery, the Temple was alive with festive warmth and harmony.
Amid their busy schedules, Counties Manukau East Area Commander Inspector Rodney HONAN and Sen Sgnt Simon CORNISH visited the Temple to ensure safety at the site. Abbess expressed gratitude to the Police team for safeguarding the auspicious celebration and supporting community safety.
