This newly renovated temple hosted its first Lunar New Year celebrations

Many travelled to the Okanagan Buddhist Cultural Center this weekend to celebrate the full moon ceremony - the first Lunar New Year celebration in the recently renovated facility in Rutland.

Abbot Phap Hoa said this is a time of year for many to come together and wish each other a happy New Year.

“This is a very traditional day for all the Vietnamese to reunite after a long year of working,” Hoa said.

The schedule for the weekend included Medicine Buddha Sutra Chanting on Saturday evening, followed by prayer, and giving New Year’s gifts. There was Dharma talk & Ancestor’s offering Sunday morning, with New Year’s offering that evening.

“It's just a time to pray, [and] to hope that everyone [has] good health in the new year,” he said.

Hoa came to Kelowna from Edmonton to establish the Okanagan Buddhist Cultural Center. Construction started in May 2020.

“I’m very happy to be here with the community, and today not only the community in the Okanagan, but lots of members from Vancouver and the vicinity,” Hoa said.

Hoa expressed his deep gratitude to the city for supporting the construction of the building, as well as the neighbours, and the Vietnamese community around the world.

“From the bottom of my heart, in order to express my gratitude to everyone, thank you so much for all your help from near and far in many ways. I wish you all have a happy Lunar New Year.”