Happy New Year, Sangha, our Lohan Temple An Tai Sui Ceremony will take place on February 14th at 1pm.
2020, The Year of the Metal Rat, has been a hell of a year. We were all affected by COVID in some fashion, some more than others. The New Year is upon us with hopes of a better beginning in the upcoming year 2021, The Year of Metal Ox (辛丑).
In Chinese tradition, certain zodiac animal signs are affected by Tai Sui. For the year 2021, The Year of the Ox, Tai Sui moves into the Northeast1, which impacts the signs of Ox, Dragon, Sheep and Dog. The most direct effects will be felt by the Ox and Sheep, while the Dragon and Dog feel indirect effects. In Chinese astrology, these signs are said to be “Fan Tai Sui” (犯太岁). Every year the Lohan Temple performs chants to help with Tai Sui. Please look at the Ox, Dragon, Sheep and Dog years that are affected by Tai Sui.
What we need from you for each person you wish the ceremony to include are their full name (anything that you are called by: nicknames and Dharma names), date of birth and a donation. Suggested auspicious amounts are usually multiples of 8, for example, 8, 16, 24, 40, …, 200, etc…
There are two options to participate so that we can add names and have a candles lit on your behalf:
- For details on participating virtually, please contact us, before February 7th and we will email you a link for signing up online to create an entry for each person you’d like to include for the ceremony. Be sure to visit our donation page where you can donate once for the total or separate amounts if you prefer.
- This year due to COVID and safety we will be limiting the amount of people in the Temple. If you are following safety precautions, including wearing a mask, you are welcome to stop by and drop off your name, date of birth and donation for the ceremony and light a candle.
As you know the Temple is a non-profit and counts on donations to survive and help our Sangha. And over the last year the Temple has been hit very hard since we have not had in person classes. Any donations help out a great deal.
We will also be live streaming the ceremony, and a link for viewing will be sent out a week prior to those who are on the Sangha email list. Use our contact for to get on this list.
Again Happy New Year!
Sifu Kenny Wang
Abbot of The Lohan Temple