#December 25, 2019, Grandmaster celebrates Christmas with disciples
#TBS News

On Christmas’ eve, Grandmaster and Shimu celebrated the festive season with everyone at Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple. On this occasion, everyone brought along a potluck dish for sharing and a gift for exchange. The evening was full of heart-warming moments that were unforgettable.

When nightfall came, the strings of lights that decked the Christmas tree at the temple caught everyone’s eyes with their bright glow. What was more bedazzling was a Christmas decorative light-piece that Fo-Qing personally made for Grandmaster to wear. As Grandmaster greeted everyone with “Merry Christmas” – while wearing the fun amazing light-piece -- everyone’s hearts were filled with warmth and happiness.

After a hearty dinner, everyone came to the main hall with excitement. Under the Christmas tree, gifts of all shapes and sizes awaited them. The anticipation by both adults and children was palpable, as the celebratory mood began to kick in.

Finally, as Grandmaster and Shimu entered the hall, the joy was indescribable. This was because, for more than a decade, Grandmaster and Shimu had always celebrated Christmas in Taiwan; this could be hailed as the first time that Grandmaster and Shimu celebrated Christmas with everyone in Seattle.

A raffle draw, hosted by Vajra Master Lotus De Hui, then took place. He first invited Grandmaster and Shimu to draw a Christmas gift. Amidst exclamations of surprise and bursts of laughter as people drew their gifts, some disciples were especially ecstatic upon receiving gifts from Grandmaster and Shimu.

After the gift exchange, everyone settled down for a night of performances. The disciples put up a good show of singing and dancing, among others. The Sunshine Dance Group lived up to its name by chipping in with a lively and ‘hot’ dance, warming up an otherwise cold wintry night. This was a magical evening where everyone enjoyed themselves, in particular, in the rare company of a Buddha.

After the ‘Offering of Music and Performances’ to the Buddha, Grandmaster blessed everyone by touching the crown of every disciple. The main deity which descended for this session was Jesus, and it was certainly apt for this occasion since it was Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Day.


As the night’s events drew to a close, peace and harmony pervaded the surroundings, as everyone walked out of the temple with Grandmaster and Shimu, bearing the blessings and the gifts.

This year's Christmas in Seattle was a happy gathering for the True Buddha School family. In a few days’ time, we will bid goodbye to 2019, and we will welcome the new year with Grandmaster. Whenever and wherever we are, as long as we have our Root Guru, Living Buddha Lian-sheng on our crown, and the Buddha in our heart, we will "walk with the Buddha" forever and ever.

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