From annual members meeting of BLIA, San Diego, a keynote speech from professor Charles Kao, a series of Chinese culture and tradition performance to a sumptuous vegetarian snack, over three hundred people including both members of BLIA and friends enjoyed a very joyous three hours of Sunday afternoon at the Buddha Hall of Hsi Fang Temple San Diego.  

At BLIA annual meeting, Wendy Lee, president of BLIA San Diego, gave a brief summary of activities and accomplishment from BLIA San Diego which include annual celebration of Buddha Birthday, " meet your neighbors" open house party, first San Diego Community day Event, the 911 fund raise campaign, a series of Buddhism seminar, parent children summer camp, initiation of BLIA youth group, sutra studies group and excited great Chinese different ethnic folk dance and costume performance at Chinese New year party. For the coming year, Wendy Lee will continue all efforts in promoting the four objectives of BLIA proposed by Master Hsing Yin which is the promotion of humanistic Buddhism, promotion of sutra studies, improving close working relationship with Temple Sangha, and promotion of participation of activities from local American residents. Wendy Lee concluded the annual meeting by acknowledging and presenting awards to all nominated accomplished members from each subchapter of BLIA San Diego. At the keynote speech, professor Charles Kao described the current political dilemma between leaders of Mainland China and Taiwan. He expressed his hope that there will be peaceful settlement between China and Taiwan in the future. He also commented about his program " Reading the first class books and behave as first class citizen" at the Buddha Light Satellite television station. He hope he can help to improve the spiritual
life for the society in Taiwan.

Immediately after the keynote speech, "Lion Dance" started the program of celebration
Of Chinese New year. The sounds of drums, the joyous scream of children and the happy
Moment of giving the red enveloped by children and adults really kicked off the spirit of celebration of the year of horse. By giving " red envelope" which has one lucky dollar inside, the "Fortune God" brought blessing and a lot of happiness and hope to all audience.

In between, the resident vice abyss Venerable Man Guei and Venerable Yi Jih gave blessing on behalf of Fo Guan Shan to pray the peace of world for the coming year. We begin to see a series of performance from members of BLIA. These programs included the Chinese musical instruments performance such as "Goquin", "Er-hu", and "Cheng". , two short Zen drama entitled of " carried across the river" and " tears of Master" by BLIA children group San Diego, traditional Chinese opera entitled of " Beloved Emperor's concubine", Tai Chi Sword dance, piano recital. The highlights of the programs are the beautiful Korean dance, the primitive original Taiwanese aboriginal dance and the Chinese traditional costume shows. An additional satire comedy show from BLIA Irvin to reflect the current Taiwanese political and social phenomena brought the holiday spirits of audience to another climax.

At the conclusion of the program, Venerable Man Guei and Wendy Lee, president of BLIA San Diego acknowledged and gave gifts to all performers and helpers. All audience and performers felt that the party indeed brought a lot of happiness and good blessing to them. This Chinese New year celebration party is sponsored by Hsi Fang Temple and BLIA San Diego. For more information, please call 619-298-2800.