On March 18, 2023, the annual “Zen Heart Respect for the Elderly and Longevity Banquet” was held at the Floata seafood Restaurant in Vancouver, Canada. It is initiated and hosted by Xing Wu Zen Temple in Canada and Master Shi Xing Wu of Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center in Canada, and co-organized by the Vancouver Seniors’ Singing Club Association.
This is a charity luncheon for public welfare and respect for the elderly, which has been held for 8 consecutive years. The purpose is to carry forward the traditional Chinese virtues of respecting and respecting the elderly. Through this event, the message of caring for the elderly is conveyed, the spirit of solidarity of watching and helping each other and the excellent traditional Chinese virtues of respecting and loving the elderly are carried forward, and love is sent to the elderly. It is also hoped that more caring people in society will pay attention to the elderly and make them healthier and happier.
This year’s charity luncheon had 200 invited elderly guests and a number of performing groups (mainly elderly people), gathered together. While enjoying a sumptuous lunch, they also enjoyed a variety of cultural entertainment and martial arts. The performance, the scene is warm and harmonious, lively and happy, and the guests and hosts enjoy themselves.
At 9:00 am, the volunteers and staff arrived early to decorate the venue and prepare gifts. The enthusiasm is commendable.
At 11:00, hosts Kennith and Cao Sisi announced the official opening of the event.
At the beginning of the opening ceremony, students from the Canadian Shi Xing Wu Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center performed a wonderful lion dance. Master Shi Xingwu and the guests dotted the eyes of the lion.
Master Shi Xing Wu delivered a speech and presided over a solemn chanting ceremony for the elders and guests at the scene.
Janet Routledge, (Burnaby North MLA) delivered a speech and issued a certificate of appreciation to Master Shi Xing Wu.
Daniel Lee, director of Xing Wu Zen Temple, read out the letter of thanks from the three levels of government.
Jack Chen, Director of the Board of Directors of Xing Wu Zen Temple, delivered a speech. He appealed for more people to join Xing Wu Zen Temple Charity Organization as members and participate in charity together.
Each guest gave a speech
The master first invited the elders over 90 years old to come to the stage to accept the blessing belt and the Chinese character “longevity” in calligraphy, and presented each elder with a pack of longevity noodles and a lucky bag, implying blessings for longevity and well-being.
Next, elders over the age of 80 and event gift donors were invited to come on stage. Master Shi Xingw Wu personally put on a blessing belt for each of them and presented the calligraphy “Fu” and a lucky bag.
Master Shi Xing Wu issued certificates of appreciation, thanking everyone for their kind donations, compassion and love, and kindness in helping all beings.
Rich cultural and entertainment performances are wonderfully presented. The first to appear was the students from the Canadian Shi Cing Wu Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center, who brought everyone a wonderful martial arts performance.
Followed by various dance and singing performances
Xing Wu Zen Temple prepared 50 cash raffle prizes and 16 gift raffle prizes, as well as 2 gold gift raffle prizes provided by the town gold store. The event was successfully concluded with a joyful laughter and full of Dharma joy.
Venerable Shi Xing Wu would like to thank everyone who attended the event, all the sponsors who supported the charity event, as well as the performing groups, actors, volunteers, students of the Shi Xing Wu Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center, hosts Kennith and Cao Sisi, photographers CY, Simon and David Tong, and other media photographers, for their Thank you all for your great support and hard work.
The 2023 Zen Heart Respect for the Elderly and Longevity Banquet was a great success and full of Dharma joy! I wish you all good health and good fortune as you wish, Amitabha Buddha!
