Thousands of people made their way to the small town of Bronkhorstspruit, 50km outside of Pretoria, to enjoy a taste of Chinese culture and to celebrate Chinese New Year. The festivities take place annually at Nan Hua temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Africa.

This temple is the African headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan order. Nan Hua provides an opportunity to experience Chinese culture first hand.

On Sunday the 7th of February 2016, the temple had a light Offering Dharma Ceremony and a Chinese cultural festival which included various types of traditional Chinese, Cantonese and Taiwanese food, lantern painting, Chinese handicrafts and Buddhism related stalls.

In the Chinese Zodiac, 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. Monkeys are known for their sagacious and agile nature, which enables them to do all kind of tricks that brings joy and laughter to people.

To give joy to others is an essential component of giving. Therefore, it is hoped that all Buddha’s Light members as well as those who share an affinity with us can also be sagacious and agile, just like the Monkey King in the age-old fable, who possesses amazing powers that allows him to soar into the high skies and burrows deep into the earth.

May you all be as resourceful and nimble as the Monkey and shows good judgment in all your dealings.