Fo Guang Shan Yuan Tong Temple in the Philippines Concludes Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration with a Tribute to Reunion and the Jade Rabbit’s Journey

Fo Guang Shan Yuan Thong Temple
October 7, 2024

Due to the impact of the typhoon, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration originally scheduled for September 14 at Yuan Thong Temple of Fo Guang Shan in the Philippines was postponed to 5 PM on September 22. The event not only celebrated the festival’s theme of reunion but also integrated traditional Chinese cultural stories through artistic performances, attracting nearly a hundred guests to the temple.

Distinguished guests included Ms Rosita Gochangco, Supervisor of the BLIA (Buddha’s Light International Association) Bacolod Chapter, and Vice President Ms. Shi Bing Lao, among other notable attendees. Venerable Zhi Rongexpressed during her remarks, "The Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes family reunion and harmony. Fo Guang Shan’s annual celebrations are not just a tribute to traditional culture but also contribute to promoting social stability and harmony." Audience praised Fo Guang Shan’s efforts in promoting the Three Acts of Goodness, noting their positive impact on society.

The performances focused on the theme of “reunion,” highlighting traditional Chinese stories such as “The Jade Rabbit's Journey to the Moon,” and “Hou Yi and Chang’e,” portraying the deep cultural significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The story of how the Jade Rabbit ascended to the moon palace through courage and kindness resonated with the values of family harmony, peace, and blessings.

The success of the event was largely due to the efforts of Rutha and the team of Sanhao Performing Group, including Tata, Virnie, Nikko, Gilo and Luis. Every year, they brainstorm new ideas to make the Moon Cake festival celebrations more engaging and appealing to a broader audience. Rutha shared, “This year’s performance was different from previous ones, incorporating a cohesive story structure throughout the program, allowing the audience to appreciate the rich cultural traditions behind the festival while enjoying the artistic elements.”

The teachers of the Sanhao Performing Team have had a long-standing collaboration with Yuan Thong Temple, and their shared understanding of Fo Guang Shan’s mission has resulted in seamless and successful events. Rutha emphasized, “The Three Acts of Goodness, promoted by Fo Guang Shan—doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts—align perfectly with our educational philosophy. We hope that through these activities, students can internalize these values and become contributing members of society.”

Parents were also highly appreciative of the event. May, a mother of three, attended the celebration with her children, noting that their participation in the temple’s singing and social education programs had fostered greater independence. “I’m grateful to Fo Guang Shan and the Sanhao team for these positive changes,” May shared.

The highlight of the evening was a short musical titled “The Jade Rabbit,” performed by students. The musical narrated how the rabbit earned its place in the moon palace through its kindness and courage, ultimately becoming the legendary Jade Rabbit. Rutha remarked after the performance, "This short stage musical was a very ambitious and challenging project, but with the help of Sanhao parents, BLIA members, temple staff, venerable Zhi Rong, and, of course, our star students, we successfully pulled it off."

In her closing remarks, Rutha expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers, students, parents, and volunteers who contributed to the event’s success. She also looked forward to organizing more cultural celebrations in the future. "Together, we will continue to spread the culture and spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival to more people, and I hope everyone felt the warmth of family and the harmony of society through today’s celebration."

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebration concluded in a round of applause, with attendees not only enjoying a rich cultural feast but also experiencing the positive impact of Fo Guang Shan’s Three Acts of Goodness campaign, which continues to promote kindness and harmony in society.