Saturday night 21st February was the Spring Prayer Ceremony. Almost 200 people attended the event.
Li-Mei SG hosted the program, and Gold Coast Tzu Chi Chief Frank Wen gave a short speech to welcome the guests, followed by a sign language song by the Sisters: 'Following Your Footsteps'. Then there was a 20 minute video of Tzu Chi's worldwide relief efforts from 2008. Followed by a small play, 'No Smoking' performed by the Gold Coast Tzu Ching, about one Tzu Chi member's efforts to quit smoking after being inspired by Master Cheng Yen. Then the Brothers performed a short sign language song, 'You and I on the Tzu Chi Path'.
The focus of the evening was on the recent natural disasters that have hit Australia, particularly the floods in Northern Queensland and the Victorian bushfires. Julia Wu then gave a speech on 'The Changing Colours of Paradise', about how we should 'reduce our greed to zero' and lead more simple lives. "It is our responsibility," she urged, "to have compassion for all beings."
The evening concluded with a sign language song by the Gold Coast Tzu Ching, 'The First Light of Dawn', and then handing out of the red packets from Master Cheng Yen, and then lighting candles and prayer.
It was wonderful, then, to see many new faces then offer to help with clean-up and tidying. Shows that many were inspired by the program.
- Nicole Chiu
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