Mabuhay Temple Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival: A Full Moon, Family Reunion, and the Three Acts of Goodness

Life News Agency — Xi Chen, Manila, Philippines]

Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple held a heartwarming Mid-Autumn Festival celebration on September 27, 2026, under the theme “A Full Moon, Family Reunion, and the Three Acts of Goodness.” Nearly 80 devotees and members of the local community joined the celebration.

Beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the temple’s Dining Hall, the event featured a variety of activities, including DIY lantern-making, a dice game featuring the Three Acts of Goodness, Four Givings, and Five Harmonies, Mid-Autumn lantern riddles, picture-guessing games, tea meditation, refreshments, and a joyful group photo. Through these activities, participants experienced the warmth of reunion while putting into practice the spirit of the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings advocated by Fo Guang Shan founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

In her remarks, Venerable Chueh Lin, Superintendent of Mabuhay Temple, shared that although Head Abbess Venerable Yung Guang was unable to attend the celebration in person, she remained deeply concerned about and supportive of the event. Venerable Jue Lin explained that the Mid-Autumn Festival is an important traditional Chinese celebration symbolizing reunion, gratitude, and blessings. Gathering together for the festival not only helps preserve Chinese culture, but also provides an opportunity to bring the Buddhist values of compassion, gratitude, appreciation, and harmony into everyday life.

Venerable Jue Lin further explained that in Buddhism, the bright moon is often used as a metaphor for the pure nature inherent in everyone. Although the moon appears to wax and wane, its essential nature remains whole and complete. Likewise, life may bring favorable and difficult circumstances, as well as meetings and partings, but one can learn to maintain inner clarity and purity. She encouraged everyone to cherish their connections with one another during the Mid-Autumn reunion, treating others with compassion and tolerance so that families may live in happiness and society may become more harmonious.

The Dining Hall was filled with lively activity as the various stations opened simultaneously. At the DIY Lantern-Making station, parents and children worked together to create colorful Mid-Autumn lanterns, enjoying both traditional culture and the fun of handicrafts. Children proudly carried their brightly colored lanterns, their faces glowing with happiness.

At the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings Dice Game, participants learned about Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings on the Three Acts of Goodness, Four Givings, and Five Harmonies through an interactive dice game. Laughter and excitement filled the area as participants learned about wholesome actions through play.

The Picture-Guessing Wisdom Game combined elements of Mid-Autumn culture with Buddhist teachings, allowing participants to learn while searching for answers. Designed for people of all ages, the riddles also attracted enthusiastic participation from international guests, creating an atmosphere of joyful cultural exchange and harmony.

At the Tea Meditation area, the fragrance of tea filled the air as the atmosphere became calm and peaceful. Guided by monastics, participants took their seats and learned the mindful practices of preparing, serving, and appreciating tea. From warming the teapot and placing the tea leaves to pouring the water and serving the tea, each movement became an opportunity to gather the body and mind and remain fully present.

As participants lifted their cups, appreciated the fragrance, and slowly tasted the tea, they experienced its gentle sweetness and refreshing quality, as well as the serenity of the Buddhist expression “Tea and Chan are of one taste.” A simple cup of tea not only refreshed the body and mind, but also allowed busy thoughts to settle. Amid the spirit of the Mid-Autumn moon and Chan practice, participants discovered a moment of inner peace and clarity.

At the refreshment area, everyone enjoyed delicious mooncakes and pastries while sharing the warmth and happiness of reunion. The annual festival created many memorable moments of togetherness, with Mabuhay Temple extending wishes of peace, auspiciousness, and joy to everyone during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The celebration concluded in a warm and harmonious atmosphere, with participants looking forward to gathering again next year to celebrate the festival together.