Hui-Ying Lo
On Sunday, March 1st, the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, City of Dharma Realm (CDR) hosted a New Year luncheon, welcoming guests from diverse professions and backgrounds. Among the attendees were West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero, city council members, educators, lawyers, architects, and many others. More than three hundred people gathered in harmony. Dharma Master Liang led several monastics and lay practitioners from City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to join the event. Likewise, Dharma Master Rong led several monastics and lay practitioners from Gold Sage Monastery to join the event. Their presence added to the joyful atmosphere, making the celebration lively, auspicious, and filled with the spirit of the New Year.
The sun shone brightly that day, and a gentle spring breeze set a joyful mood as everyone gathered in the Five Contemplations Dining Hall. Vegetarian delicacies were neatly arranged, rich with the festive flavor of the New Year. The hall itself was tastefully decorated—rosewood tables and chairs lent a classical charm, and the displays were arranged with graceful balance. Spring couplets and Dharma phrases were conspicuously posted everywhere, while all kinds of exquisite lanterns hung high above, creating a strikingly beautiful Chinese ambiance that drew admiration from all. Among the guests were many Western friends, dressed in bright red attire or wearing red scarves, happily embracing local customs. Their laughter and cheerful conversations blended seamlessly into the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year, giving the gathering a sense of unity that transcended cultures. This was not only a vegetarian feast for the New Year—it was a truly successful celebration of cultural showcase.
After the meal‑offering ceremony, Dr. Wu, the host, invited Dharma Master Gwei, the manager of CDR, to deliver a welcome message. Master Gwei warmly greeted all the guests and expressed heartfelt gratitude for their many years of support and encouragement toward CDR. Next, Mayor Martha Guerrero offered her remarks. She began by praising the Five Contemplations Hall for its beautiful and dignified decor and expressed her delight at being able to gather with everyone to celebrate the Lunar New Year. We also want to take this opportunity to thank her for her long‑standing support of the Great Buddha Hall project at CDR. Following the mayor’s speech, Dharma Master Shr took the stage to introduce the guests and provided an overview of the school, then led everyone in reciting “Amitabha Buddha,” filling the hall with warmth and harmony. Attorney Diane also shared her joy in participating in the New Year celebration.
Most unforgettable of all was Mr. Gumbinger, the nonagenarian architect. Tall and slender, with a gentle yet spirited presence and a remarkably clear mind, he captivated the audience during his ten‑minute speech. He reminisced about a three‑hour conversation he once had with the Venerable Master, and—true to his humorous nature—said that the design of the CDR Great Buddha Hall was like his “baby.” Now that the project has finally been approved for Conditional Use Permit, his “baby” is about to be born, a remark that brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Dharma Master Liang then took the stage and spoke with ease and sincerity, sharing stories of the Venerable Master’s daily conduct. Her words offered the audience profound inspiration and benefit.
As everyone enjoyed the vegetarian banquet, Dharma Master Gwei and Dharma Master Shr followed the Chinese New Year tradition of distributing red envelopes. Inside each beautifully prepared red envelope was a passage from the Venerable Master’s wise teachings, presented in both Chinese and English. Some guests immediately went on stage to read their selected passage aloud and share their reflections. As the saying goes, “The wealthy give material gifts; the wise present gift of words.” The Venerable Master’s teachings are timeless and profound, offering inspiration and insight. Truly, this was the most meaningful New Year’s gift one could receive.
Joyful moments always seem to pass especially quickly. The two‑hour New Year luncheon came to a perfect close with the concluding chant. Everyone departed with hearts full of Dharma joy, the atmosphere still warm and uplifting, reluctant to leave yet already looking forward to next year’s Lunar New Year luncheon at the City of Dharma Realm.
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