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By: Josh Manning

The rhythmic twangs of Asian string instruments echoed throughout the building’s halls.  With it, people were displaying traditional dances as old as China itself.  Not far from this spectacle, people were sitting around a table sampling tea as if they were master connoisseurs.  It was what one would expect to see in a Far East country, though as authentic as it seemed, this was not Asia, not even close.  In fact, it was smack dab in Central Florida at our own Guang Ming Temple during Open House.            

Scores of people has shown up to see what our temple was all about.  Groups had been given tours throughout the entire temple and nearly every room had activities to both entertain and educate newcomers on Buddhism.  The first room they had been brought to was the newly reorganized tea room which had been transformed into an even more relaxing atmosphere.  In this room, visitors could sit down with Rui Hai Bao,  and try different types of Asian teas such as green and jasmine.   The tea room had other activities as well.  For example, visitors could get their names written in Chinese calligraphy and if they had an artistic side, they could make a poetry sculpture under the guidance of Xin Lin Fan, an artist.      

On the second floor, visitors where shown Asian instruments and dancing.  Also on this floor, all were welcome to try out sutra writing classes for those with an interest in calligraphy. 

Among the different instruments shown were the ErHu, a violin-like instrument and the Pipa, a guitar-like instrument.   These instruments were displayed and played beautifully by Jianping Yang.  

In the next room,  Li Yuan Tian and Wang Yen had put together a collection of various Chinese folk dances topped off with Wang Yen’s voice to some folk songs.    Crowds left impressed as they were lead upstairs to the meditation hall to get a 15 minute moment of solitude where they were taught how to meditate.      

All of the displays had truly shown how diverse and talented the skills of some of our BLIA members.  With all of this talent, we can attract new members to our temple and spread the Dharma.   With the success of the Open House, we have kicked off with a great start for the new year of 2008, ready to take on what the year bring.

Please be sure to join us on January 13th for our Sounds of the Human World Karaoke Competition!