Lunar New Year Festivities
Celebrate, reflect, and ring in the new year at Tian-Jin Temple!
Lunar New Year festivities run through January or February, depending on the lunar dates, and showcase timeless traditions and meaningful rituals. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of cultural background or religious beliefs.
Giant Rice Turtle
Turtles have long since been recognized as a symbol of longevity, wisdom, and wealth. The temple follows the Taiwanese tradition of building a giant turtle out of 5-kg bags of rice.
Individuals can then pray and sign their names on the bags of rice at $15 each, in exchange for a year of good health. After the Lantern Festival, registrants may bring the bags of rice home or allow the temple to donate to the Food Bank.
Boat of Fortune
On this day, we celebrate the new year through a ceremony, followed by the arrival of the "God of Fortune", who hands out candies and treats symbolizing wealth. Individuals can also exchange money for a red packets, which they hold on to for a whole year to bring in new opportunities.
Visitors can also compete in a friendly competition with divination moon blocks to bring home the Boat of Fortune, which offers prosperity throughout the year.
Seven Stars' Crossing
The Seven Stars' Crossing is formed by seven tall candles, which represent the Big Dipper star constellation. The Big Dipper is very important in Chinese culture, as it had been believed to be the force behind the four seasons.
Visitors to the temple can cross do the famous "Seven Stars' Crossing" for a small fee, stepping over the seven candles in a specific pattern to rid themselves of bad fortune for the upcoming year.
Fire Crossing Ritual
"Fire" has the meaning of purification, and stepping over burning coals has long been known as a “cleansing ceremony” in Taiwan. The ritual is believed to get rid of bad fortune, reduce risks of disaster, and achieve a blessing effect.
We offer the Fire Crossing Ritual for three days, allowing participants to step safely over a small metal pot of hot coals at the entrance of Tian-Jin Temple. Those who cannot attend the ritual in person may ask their family member to participate on their behalf while holding a few of their clothing items.
Dragon Turtle
A dragon turtle is a legendary Chinese creature that combines two of the four celestial animals of Chinese mythology: the body of a turtle with a dragon symbolizing courage, fertility, longevity, power, success, and support.
Come and seek blessing and protection of Dragon Turtle. Only 1 lucky person will have the honor of bringing the Dragon Turtle statue home and receiving its blessing for the entire year. The individual must return the statue at the end of year, paying a deposit of $680 CAD. He or she must also register in 10+ tables for both Tian-Jin Ceremonies.
Replenish your Wealth Bank
It's believed that everyone is born with a “Wealth Bank” that holds not tangible, financial wealth, but rather, merit and virtue. The karmic wealth comes from the positive actions of ancestors, and their accumulated blessings; however, complications in one’s past life can reduce the number of blessings, resulting in disasters, diseases, misfortune, or displeasure in the new life.
Replenishing the “Wealth Bank” is not something you can do overnight—you must continuously do good deeds and give from the bottom of your heart. Tian-Jin temple offers a ritual for visitors to maintain steadiness in their “Wealth Bank”, allowing individuals to continue to build positive karmic energy through good deeds.
Noodles of Peace
Noodles symbolize longevity in many Asian cultures. Eating them in the New Year is said to welcome a year of good health and peace. During the festivities, bring home a packed lunch of delicious noodles, free to all visitors.
Ringing the bell
Rise early in the morning and visit Tian-Jin Temple to sound the large bell in the front altar. The fun event is said to bring about a sense of calm and tranquility to those that "ring" in the new year.
Chanting Scriptures
Join us for a serene morning chanting session at 9 am, held in Mandarin Chinese. Guests are cordially invited to register for offerings of fresh fruits, fragrant flowers, or incense as well.
Light a Lamp of Blessing
Guests are warmly welcomed to register for a blessing lamp, to be illuminated throughout the Lunar New Year festivities or tended to in the halls of Tian-Jin Temple for the year ahead. Different lamps offer various blessings.
Please visit the temple or call (604) 568-9880 to register.