REVELRY RINGS IN YEAR OF ROOSTER THOUSANDS VISIT BUDDHIST TEMPLE.Byline: Ivy Dai Staff Writer Patty Lou knelt down on a red velvet cushion and bowed deeply three times in the main shrine at Hsi Lai Temple Hsi Lai Temple (TC: 西來寺; PY: Xīlái Sì) (approximate pronunciation She Lye) is a traditional Chinese Buddhist mountain monastery. It is located on the foothill region of Hacienda Heights, California, USA, a suburb of Los Angeles. , closing her eyes and clasping clasp·ing adj. Botany Denoting a leaf whose base partially or completely surrounds a stem. her hands in a wish for a prosperous Chinese New Year Chinese New Year (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: Chūnjié), or Spring Festival . ``I asked for peace and for happiness of the family for the new year,'' said the 40-year-old Corona resident. Wednesday marked the first day of the Lunar New Year Lunar New Year may refer to the beginning of the year in several calendars. It is commonly assumed that they are all based on a lunar calendar. However, this is not the case. for Chinese and Vietnamese residents, and thousands of people trekked from all over Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and Orange counties to visit Hsi Lai, the largest Buddhist temple in the Western Hemisphere. The 15-acre temple was decorated with hundreds of paper lanterns, impressive floral designs and rooster rooster its crowing at dawn heralds each new day. [Western Folklore: Leach, 329] See : Dawn rooster symbol of maleness. [Folklore: Binder, 85] See : Virility statues. 2005 is the Year of the Rooster. A cultural performance boasted a traditional dragon dance, zither zither (zĭth`ər), stringed musical instrument, derived from the psaltery and the dulcimer. It has a flat sound box over which are stretched from 30 to 45 strings; these are plucked with the fingers and a plectrum. In the 18th cent. players, drum dance, and Japanese and Korean dancing. Four-year-old Kristie Lee of Eagle Rock said her favorite part was the dragon dance because she was born in the Year of the Dragon. Kristie wore a traditional red Chinese dress, and other small children wore red or gold outfits with small caps and long braids in the back for good luck. The odor of deep-fried ``stinky tofu'' filled the entrance to the temple, with vendors selling noodles noo·dle 1 n. A narrow, ribbonlike strip of dried dough, usually made of flour, eggs, and water. [German Nudel. for long life and turnip cakes and sticky rice tamales for success. Many Chinese and Vietnamese people also offered fruit, candy and flowers in the shrine to Buddha, lighting incense and pineapple candles for health, happiness and success in 2005. ``You offer food and light incense for peace and harmony,'' Venerable Miao Hsi said. ``It's just a renewal - they want to cultivate merits.'' Wearing a red sweater, Simon Choi, 26, of Irvine didn't have a specific wish for the new year, but lit incense for the happiness of everyone at the temple. Amid the dragon dances, incense-lighting and good food, Choi said his favorite part of coming to the temple was the crowd. Visitors greeted each other with exuberance and good wishes, gathering together in celebration for a deeper meaning, according to Miao Hsi. ``When you come, it's to make a connection, and it's what we yearn for,'' she said. The temple expects about 10,000 visitors in the next two weekends, when it repeats its free cultural performances on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. The temple will open at 10 a.m. for a morning ceremony. Ivy Dai, (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2730 ivy.dai(at)sgvn.com IF YOU GO The Hsi Lai Temple - the largest Buddhist temple in the Western Hemisphere - will repeat its free cultural performances Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., 3456 South Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights. Call (626) 923-5113. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) Mary Ren of San Gabriel makes a new year blessing over incense Wednesday during Chinese New Year festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff Photographer (2) Students at Pinecrest Elementary in Northridge dress up as roosters Wednesday to welcome in the Chinese New Year. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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