2024 New Year Art and Zen Meditation Journey Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition

To introduce and spread the essence of traditional Chinese culture, the International Huayan Buddhist Federation held a New Year Art and Zen Meditation Journey Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition on the 25th in Queens, New York, USA, celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Nearly 100 guests attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which showcased over 100 pieces of calligraphy and paintings by Chen Shaogong, Huang Pingping, and the Venerable Master Xian. During the event, Venerable Xiansu engaged with guests on topics of Tiantai Zen meditation.

Venerable Xiansu, from the Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, Hubei Province, China, had just arrived in the United States for a short visit in early February. In addition to displaying his Zen-inspired paintings, he also introduced the Tiantai Zhiyi Zen meditation of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism during the opening ceremony. He expressed that whether through painting or behavior, his works are created spontaneously, aiming to convey an inner state beyond words and language.

Chen Shaogong and Huang Pingping, the president and the chief secretary of the International Huayan Buddhist Federation, have long been engaged in the creation of calligraphy and paintings with Buddhist themes, combining traditional Chinese forms with contemporary Western abstract oil paintings and watercolors. Their works include the writing of Buddhist scriptures, traditional Chinese poetry, and Zen-inspired paintings.

Chen Shaogong mentioned that the eight pieces of the "Heart Sutra" he created during the pandemic reflect the changes in his state of mind during that period. Huang Pingping stated that her works are created following meditation, in line with her mood, and due to her strong personality, her works unconsciously exhibit bright colors. The content is merely a manifestation of her mood, without any specific direction or meaning.

Consecration Ceremony for The "Eighteen Arhats"

On November 5th, 2023, the International Huayan Buddhist Federaton held a consecration ceremony for the "Eighteen Arhats" in Queens, NY. The eighteen Shoushan stone Arhats, collected by Li Yan for nearly thirty years, have crossed the oceans as ambassadors of Sino-American friendship and were donated to the International Huayan Buddhist Federaton. The ceremony was presided over by Venerable Ming Yu, the president of the American Buddhist Confederaton.

Chen Shaogong of the International Huayan Buddhist Federaton expressed his deep gratitude to Li Yan and her family for donating the Shoushan stone Eighteen Arhats, which had been in their collection for 26 years.. He felt joyful seeing the Arhats arrive safely at the association by sea. The Eighteen Arhats are considered auspicious symbols in Buddhism, representing good wishes for the people's auspiciousness and well-being.

Li Feng, CEO of Charming Media, stated that the Eighteen Arhats are carved from Shoushan stone with exquisite craftsmanship. Currently, mining of Shoushan stone has been banned, making these eighteen Arhat statues even more precious. Li Yan, the chairman of Charming Media, has collected the Eighteen Arhats for 26 years. During the pandemic, she formed a connection with the International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation and conceived the idea of donation. The official donation ceremony was held in Guangzhou in May this year. Li Yan mentioned that it was hard to part with the Eighteen Arhats, which had witnessed the company's development, but she hoped their donation would serve as a messenger of Sino-American friendship.

2024 Dragon Year Spring Festival Art and Mindfulness Journey

The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation will host the "2024 Dragon Year Spring Festival Art and Mindfulness Journey, featuring Chen Shaogong, Huang Pingping, and Venerable Xian's Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition."

This event is scheduled for February 25th, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the New York Lecture Hall: 20-47 129 Street College Point NY 11356. During the exhibition, there will be reviews of the calligraphy and paintings, along with a 10-minute mindfulness guidance experience led by Venerable Xian. Everyone is welcome to join us.

"Global Chinese New Year Blessings" Zoom Event

At the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, everything is changing. In the days of returning to spring earth, we have passed an unprecedented year of 2020. The new coronavirus epidemic has caused many people to lose their precious lives, the world economy has been hit hard, and now we are living under strong natural and mental pressure. When the Chinese lunar calendar is approaching, The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation will hold a "Global Chinese New Year Blessings" event in New York.

At this time, interfaith religious leaders, scholars, and social elites from all over the world, will send blessings together to our members and the people all over the world, praying for world peace and the people's health and happiness. We sincerely invite all of you to participate.

Zoom event link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82011147582?pwd=SWJZejA4dnlWc2FiWTlIMVBjendvZz09&__mp_disable_close_menu__=0

Third Cultural Temple Festival Was Held In Brooklyn City Hall

At 10 am on January 22, 2021. the opening ceremony of the Third New York Cultural Temple Festival was held at the Brooklyn City Hall. Due to epidemic prevention and control policy, only a few people were allowed to participate.

The opening ceremony was virtual through the Internet and was presided over by Zheng Qirong, Chinese assistant of the Brooklyn Mayor Eric Adams’s Office. The temple festival Chinese New Year Blessing was led by Master Ming Yu, President of the American Buddhist Confederation and Master Rui Fa, the Honorary President of the American Buddhist Confederation. The Brooklyn Mayor Eric Adams delivered a speech, thanking the American Buddhist Confederation, over the years, the care and compassions for the New York City community, the contribution to the harmony and development of different ethnic groups.

TIHBF Chairman Nanren Shi participated the event.

From left: Nanren Shi, Venerable Ruifa, Venerable Mingyu

Eric Adams specifically mentioned that since the outbreak of the epidemic in March last year, the American Buddhist Confederation has donated medical supplies such as masks, protective clothing, protective glasses, and disinfectant to Brooklyn City.

Chairman Visited Yanji With Global Artist League

With the Global Artist League delegates, Chairman of TIHBF Mr. Nanren Shi visited Yanji City of China. Mr. Shi is the chairman of Religion Division and Vice President of Global Artist League.

September 3rd, the delegates were invited to attend The Northeast Tourism Food Festival.

September 5th, the delegates were visited Dragon Home Resort and its art exhibition. A local Korean show was present. The president of Dragon Home Resort and Art Center, Mr. Zongji Bi greeted delegates. The chairman of Global Artist League, Mr. Jincheng Yáo also delivered speech before the performance.

A cultural forum was held in afternoon. An art research institute is proposed and intended to be established in the near future .

The Honorary President of the American Buddhist Association, Venerable Miao Feng Went Into Nirvana

On April 16, 2019 (March 12, Lunar New Year), at 1:35 am, the Honorary President of the American Buddhist Association, the founding president of the American Chinese Buddhist Association, the Fawang Temple, Songlin Temple, and the Cihang Jingshe, Venerable Miao Feng went to Nirvana in Cihang Jingshe, Flushing of  New York City, at age of 93 .

Mr. Shi and Venerable Miao Feng

President of  The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation,Mr. Nanren Shi, lived in Fawang Temple of  New York,  between year 1989 to 1991, where he learned many things from the Venerable Abblot Miao Feng including Buddhist Dharma and calligraphy.

Mr. Shi and Venerable Miao Feng

Venerable Miao Feng’s Calligraphy for Mr. Shi

Venerable Miao Feng’s Calligraphy for Mr. Shi

Venerable Miao Feng was born in  Zhanjiang, Guangdong of China. He was ordained at the age of 11.  He learned from great  masters of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism in last century, like the well-know Buddhist monk Venerable Yun Yun and Venerable Hai Ren, Venerable Ci Hang, Venerable Yin Shun and other Buddhist saints. After going to New York,  he served as the abbot of the Chinese Buddhist Association in New York. He is good at prose writing, and his literary works are  published in various Buddhist publications.

Venerable Miao Feng was the 1st Chinese Mahayana monk who first  came to the continent of America. He had been ordained for 82 years, and had been in vows of  Buddhist Bhikku for 79 years. RIP  ( Rest in Pureland) !!!

The International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation Was Invited To Attend Vesak Day Ceremony In UN Headquarter NYC

May 29th, 2018 is the International Vesak Day Of United Nations. On May 1st, 2018, the commemoration celebration was held in the general assembly hall of UN in New York City. 

The president of the UN general assembly Mr.  MIroslave Lajcak said in the ceremony:

“The United Nations was not born from any religion – no. However, the timeless principles of Buddhism remain important, to the work we do, in these Halls.”

The general secretary of UN, Mr. António Guterres delivered speech. 19 country representatives also gave speech on stage . Both Theravada and Mahayana tradition performed blessings on stage .

Ms Pingping Huang, the program director of TIHBF joined ceremony with monks, nuns and lay people from different Buddhist tradition. 

STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. MIROSLAV LAJČÁK, PRESIDENT OF THE 72ND SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF VESAK , YEAR 2018

  “The first is on “the middle way”. The Buddha knew both: a life of extravagance and a life of want. He stressed that the extremes were not the way to enlightenment. Instead, he taught that moderation was the required path: the middle way.”

———- MIROSLAV LAJČÁK

President of the UN General Assembly

 https://www.un.org/pga/72/2018/05/01/commemoration-of-the-international-day-of-vesak/

Buddha’s Birthday Celebration May 29th, 2018

May 29th is Shakyamuni Buddha’s birthday. International Hua-Yan Buddhist Federation will hold a seven day ceremony to celebrate Buddha’s birthday and pray for world peace. 

The pray will start at 10 A.M. May 29th, 2018 @ our shrine hall. If you are interested to participate, please book your spot at : huayanusa@gmail.com

 * If you already booked in our center, please don’t register again.