At 8pm on Chinese New Year’s Eve (February 6th), the Puti Yoga Studio of Greater Vancouver hosted the “2008 Family Fun Spring Festival.” many core-students, meditators and friends shared in the laughter, joy and good will.

During the Family Activity portion of the evening, adults and children alike performed instrumental music, dance displays, or sang accompanied by guitar, sometimes in duets. There were also games of “flower drums,” riddles, balloon competitions environmental knowledge quizzing, guessing game and musical games. These performances and challenges were followed by prizes and New Year’s gifts.

Master JinBodhi sang “Happy New Year” for the audience, offering heart-felt wishes of compassion and warmth. He then gave red bags to all.

At 9:30pm, a New Year’s feast was shared, which included dumplings, a wide variety of vegetable dishes, dimsum, desserts and fruit.

Shortly before the end of the old year, the assembly chanted the Medicine Buddha’s Heart Sutra to fostering good fortune into the New Year. When the midnight bell sounded, the master spoke to the assembly, and the first lit incense stick of the New Year was offered to Buddha Shakyamuni according to tradition: a blessing for all living beings.

The Puti “2008 Family Fun Spring Festival” closed in an atmosphere of joy and warmth.

On February 9 (2008), the third day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the group reconvened for a Puti Meditation “New Year Celebration of Blessings and Good Fortune,” with Meditation Master JinBodhi.

The master gave an insightful, yet practical talk on “The Six Foundations of Fortunate Living.” He defined the foundations as “balanced nutrition, suitable sleep habits, emotional control, appropriate physical activity, tranquility of the psyche, and continuous learning,” presenting these categories with his usual candor, wisdom and humor.

Following the lecture, some of the master’s experienced core-students used hand-arts to clear audience members’ energy meridians and provide some healthful “balancing.” Many of those in attendance reported an easing of physical discomforts as headaches, neck pain, and internal organ-related discomfort.

Many announced results they described as “simply amazing.”

After the evening’s blessing, the master presented red bags with token of wealth to the audience, a traditional blessing for good fortune. He encouraged everyone to cultivate positive action, reminding them of the indirect rewards, and offering his best wishes for the year to come.