Lanterns & Puja!
The photo above was sent to me by Paul Yap (originally taken by Choi Sheem). It shows the lantern and prayer flag display that has been put up for the Chinese New Year festival! The most important holidy in the year for all Chinese and many in the East.
This is taken right outside our new gompa, and as you can see there is also a board that advertises the Grand Setrap and Dzambala Puja (GSDP) that is coming up on the 12th and 13th of February. The whole theme on Jalan Kechara (aka Kechara Street!) has been changed to celebrate the biggest Chinese festival of the year! And for the first time in Kechara’s history, the gompa will be open during Chinese New Year Eve and throughout the festive period for people to visit and make offerings for an auspicious year ahead.
It was the GSDP committee that organized to have this beautiful lantern display up… they arranged everything from design to installation… and they found the funds for it too.
The lanterns will be there from the 15th of January to the 18th of February…do go take a look if you can. I think that it looks best in the evening! It took 2 days to put it up, so do visit as it’s always nice to appreciate other people’s hard work…especially when it looks this nice! hehe
Tsem Rinpoche
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Such pretty decor and especially holy with the prayer flags. Well done to the GSDP team. It looks so festive and nice.
For the business offices and shops the Chinese lanterns and lights will also benefit them in the Chinese tradition and culture irrespective of what faith they are in. Lanterns and lights are very significant in lighting up for prosperity. For Kechara House, it has dual purpose for celebrating. For Chinese New Year and Religious purpose. The Kechara House is very wise in combining and organising a two day Setrap puja and Dzambala puja on the days together with Chinese New Year. Days for the pujas will be 12th and 13th February, 2011. Most times this will come with big Bang! Bang! Bang! with firecrackers to usher in the Chinese New Year.
Thierry ( the interior designer of our Gompa) likes the CNY lanterns very much. He told me last Friday, after our Lamrim Class, that the decor has made the place so pretty and festive.
Last night(Monday), we announced to the Setrap Puja participants that KH will be open throughout CNY. I was surprised that everyone clapped at the announcement. Master Loo kept nodding his head that this is a good move.
See you at Kechara House to usher in the Year of the Rabbit!
Opening Hours : 2 Feb 2011 – 10PM to 2AM
3 to 6 Feb 2011 – 1PM to 6PM
It is stunning – I find excuses to drive round the long way just to see the lights. It’s such a nice offering to the Buddhas within the Gompa and to all the Three Jewels – what a nice way to redirect our efforts instead of just only decorating things for ourselves all the time. Thank you to the GSDP for their hard work to make this happen – am looking forward to the 12th and 13th when the whole road will be a giant festival!