2026-02-22 Fo Guang Shan Miami Welcomes the Year of the Horse: Auspicious Lions Leap and Glove Puppetry Conveys Affection

To welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse, Fo Guang Shan Miami held a series of New Year celebration events on February 22. Combining Buddhist prayer services with Chinese cultural performances, the event attracted over 150 devotees and local community members. Lion dances and traditional glove puppetry became the highlights of the day, showcasing the charm of traditional arts while successfully promoting multicultural exchange.

The "Thousand Buddhas Dharma Service" at Fo Guang Shan Miami was led by Venerable Jue Yan, guiding the congregation in devoutly chanting scriptures and paying homage to the Buddha. Together, they prayed for world peace and social harmony, planting seeds of good affinity and blessings for the New Year. Amidst the solemn Buddhist chanting, devotees welcomed spring with reverence, creating a dignified and moving atmosphere.

In the afternoon, the "Chinese Cultural Spring Festival Carnival" kicked off as eight auspicious lions wove through the crowd with high energy, accompanied by the resounding beats of gongs and drums. Powerful martial arts demonstrations earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. This year's central focus was traditional glove puppetry (budaixi); with exquisitely crafted puppets and briskly paced storylines, it drew many families to stop and watch, sparking continuous applause and showcasing the rich heritage of Taiwanese folk art.

The event also featured interactive cultural booths, including piano performances by the Buddha's Light Youth Adult Record (YAD), paper-lantern crafting, rubbings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's calligraphy, Spring Festival couplet writing, Go board games, and Tea Chan (tea meditation) experiences. Offering a balance of dynamic and peaceful activities, these booths allowed attendees to personally experience Chinese arts and humanistic spirit in a festive atmosphere.

Michelle Gomez, Mayor of Tamarac, Florida, and Tamarac City Commissioner Morey Wright Jr. attended the event to offer their congratulations and present certificates of recognition, commending the temple's long-standing dedication to promoting cultural education and community integration. The Mayor noted that Fo Guang Shan Miami fosters cross-cultural exchange through these activities, providing residents of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Asian culture and injecting positive energy into the city’s multicultural and inclusive spirit.

Through iconic traditional arts such as glove puppetry and lion dancing, this New Year celebration successfully engaged many non-Chinese local residents, fostering cross-cultural and interfaith understanding and harmony while celebrating the New Year. The event concluded in a spirit of joy and peace, opening a hope-filled chapter for the year ahead.