Lunar New Year Gala Attracts Large Crowds in the Triangle Region, with BLIA Showcasing Cultural Traditions and Vegetarian Cuisine
- 21 hours ago
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Updated: 21 hours ago
[Reported by Cixuan Hu, North Carolina, USA] The Triangle Area Chinese American Society (TACAS) hosted its annual Lunar New Year Festival on March 14, 2026, at the J.S. Dorton Arena, drawing large crowds despite a two-month delay caused by severe winter weather earlier in the year. The celebration featured an array of food and cultural booths, along with lively dragon and lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dance performances that filled the arena with festive spirit.
Approximately 40 members, officers, and young volunteers from the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter joined forces to prepare and staff two booths. Before the event began, Venerable Miao Jou, superintendent of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina, and Venerable Zhi San visited the volunteers to offer encouragement. Venerable Miao Jou reminded them that their conduct represents the image of Fo Guang Shan, urging everyone to embody its spirit of joy. “Joy is the brand of Fo Guang Shan,” he said. “Bring joy home, share it with others, and let it uplift yourself as well.”
This year, BLIA North Carolina Chapter jointly operated a vegetarian food booth and a cultural booth. The food booth offered a variety of plant-based dishes, each given an auspicious New Year name—such as “Rising Success” for steamed prosperity cakes and “Good Fortune on a Stick” for skewers—adding both meaning and fun. The dishes proved extremely popular, selling out almost entirely before the event concluded. The BLIA Young Adult Division (YAD) of North Carolina also joined the effort for the first time, preparing homemade sandwich cookies to sell. Though initially shy, the young volunteers soon gained confidence, moving through the venue to promote their treats and showcasing their growth and enthusiasm.
The cultural booth, staffed by members of BLIA North Carolina Subchapter II and YAD volunteers, introduced temple programs and community education courses. Visitors were invited to draw a “Positive Forecasts for Life” slip featuring teachings from Fo Guang Shan Founding Master Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Many participants read their messages carefully, with some even searching online to better understand the teachings. A spinning-wheel trivia game offering red-envelope prizes drew steady crowds, while the “Vege Plan A” photo frame—decorated with fruits and vegetables—became a popular spot for family snapshots. Guests could also scan a QR code to sign up for future temple event notifications. Through these interactive activities, many attendees lingered to chat with volunteers and learn about Buddhism in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Volunteer Darren Wheeling, who served at the cultural booth, noted the strong turnout from Western visitors. Drawing from his own experience, he introduced Buddhist concepts in simple, accessible language, emphasizing that Buddhism offers practical wisdom for daily life. He hoped the booth would help newcomers feel welcomed and open the door to future connections with the temple.
Several attendees shared their appreciation for the warm and inclusive atmosphere. One first-time visitor said she felt genuinely welcomed and gained new insights into Buddhism, expressing interest in visiting the temple in the future. Terry, who originally came just to watch the performances, said conversations with volunteers sparked his interest in Buddhism and helped him learn more about temple programs. He also praised the vegetarian food, noting the impressive variety and flavor.
