By YIP YOKE TENG | Feb 9, 2010
Temple set aglow for CNY
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Good start: Sun penning auspicious phrases to greet the New Year.
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teng@thestar.com.my
CHINESE New Year cheer is apparent at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in Petaling Jaya as the temple was illuminated with lanterns and LED lights on Thursday.
Scores of devotees braved the peak-hour congestion to be at the temple in time to witness the lighting up ceremony by Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin, All Petaling Jaya Residents Association chairman Liew Wei Beng and the temple’s committee chairman, Liew Chang Huat.
More than 2,000 red lanterns, most sponsored by well-wishers, were hung in and around the temple to usher in the Year of the Tiger.
Qi Gong master and calligrapher Sun Xiao Ping from Shanghai awed the guests with his art, as well as his feat of walking on a rope hung in mid-air.
Musicians from Shanghai and their local students also serenaded the crowd with Chinese tunes while cherry blossom trees were found in abundance around the compound.
“The lights and decorations are more elaborate than in previous years and we welcome not only Buddhists but all friends to come and share the joy,” said Liew, adding that the temple was also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
The temple’s committee member, Tan Soon Koon, highlighted that a string of activities had been planned for the festival.
It starts with a mass chanting session on the eve of the Lunar New Year from 9pm to 1am.
The vegetarian “Poon Choi” - Big Bowl Feast - a meal popularised in Hong Kong whereby all dishes are stacked together and served in one huge bowl, will be served free for lunch on the first day of Chinese New Year.
“We also invite the public to come to our Chinese New Year celebration on the day before Chap Goh Meh, where a vegetarian dinner will be served amid interesting performances featuring mask-changing masters from Szechuan, China,” he said.
He added that the event would be called “Chem-Party” and tickets were available at RM10 per person.
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