By Developing Virtue Secondary School Girls Division Chinese translated by Zhong Wenshi
文： 培德中學女校 中譯：鍾文詩 VBS 657
Since 2012, students from Instilling Goodness Elementary School and Developing Virtue Secondary School (IGDVS) at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) have been performing at downtown Ukiah during the Lunar New Year, setting up booths and celebrating with the residents of the Ukiah Valley (except during the pandemic). This year (2025), in partnership with the Ukiah City’s “VisitUkiah” program, this event was held for the first time inside the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas on February 8 from noon to 3 PM, attracting hundreds of people to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
萬佛聖城培德育良中小學自2012年起，每逢農曆春節期間，都在瑜伽市中心表演新春節目，並擺設攤位，和瑜伽谷居民同樂（疫情期間除外）。今（2025）年和瑜伽市府的「造訪瑜伽市」項目聯合舉辦，首度移師萬佛聖城內，於2月8日中午12時至下午3時舉行，吸引數百人同慶蛇年新春。
One of the highlights of the celebration was the incredible talent of students who showcased their skills through a variety of performances. The lion, dragon, and snake drum dances, symbols of good fortune and prosperity, were met with applause as students moved with grace and energy. Musical performances included Chinese orchestra and renditions of Chinese New Year songs that filled the air with festive cheer, while joyful Chinese dances transported attendees to the heart of Lunar New Year celebrations.
慶祝活動的一大亮點是學生們的才藝表演。舞獅、舞龍和蛇鼓舞，象徵著好運和繁榮，在學生們的優雅與活力中，贏得熱烈掌聲。音樂表演包括中國樂團的演奏和農曆新年歌曲的演繹，充滿了節日的歡樂。而快樂的中國舞蹈則將參加者帶入農曆新年慶祝活動的核心。
The event was not just about performances but also about sharing food and cultural experiences with one another. The food booths, featuring Jyun Kang’s vegetarian dishes, were a popular attraction. Guests had the opportunity to savor flavorful curry, sweet and sour balls, crispy spring rolls, and steamed buns—each bite bursting with the comforting flavors of tradition. Other booths showcased a rich variety of rice cakes, buns, tea tastings, Korean snacks, and unique Asian drinks. There were also booths led by student-run non-profit organizations (Her Dreams Matter; Children of the World; Business Women; and Interactive Club), Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU), as well as IGDVS. These organizations highlighted the commitment of students to serve their community and promoting global understanding. The Buddhist Text Translation Society (BTTS) and Instilling Goodness books booth attracted book lovers. The Lunar New Year couplets written by students were very popular, selling out completely. Proceeds from over a dozen booths were donated to Los Angeles wildfire victims, several charities, and CTTB Education Fund.
這次活動不僅是表演節目，也是分享食物和文化經驗的機會。食品攤位上，君康的素菜吸引了眾多食客大排長龍。客人們有機會品嚐美味的咖哩、糖醋球、酥脆的春捲和包子。其他攤位展示了豐富多樣的年糕、品茶、韓國小吃、和獨特的亞洲飲料。此外，還有學生領導的非營利公益組織（她的夢想重要；世界的孩子；商務女性；互動俱樂部）、法界佛教大學以及育良培德中小學的攤位，展示了學生為社區服務，同時促進全球理解的承諾。佛經翻譯委員會、育良兒童圖書攤位則充滿書香，讓愛書人駐足。由學生們揮毫所寫的多副春聯大受歡迎，竟然銷售一空。總計十餘個攤位銷售所得，將分別捐給洛杉磯山火災民、數個不同的慈善機構、以及萬佛聖城教育基金等。
John Haschak, Chair of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, and Katrina Kessen, Executive Director at Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance, both graced the event with their wonderful speeches. Supervisor Haschak is very familiar with CTTB and IGDVS. Before entering politics, the Supervisor taught in Willits, a half-hour drive north of Ukiah, and taught “English as a Second Language” courses at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas Summer School. He strongly agrees with the virtue-based educational philosophy of the Ven. Master Hsuan Hua. Supervisor Haschak’s son and daughter both attended Developing Virtue Secondary School for several years, during which time he served as PTO president. A core teacher at Instilling Goodness Elementary School Boys Division even applied to teach there on Supervisor Haschak’s recommendation.
門都仙諾郡郡長約翰•海斯查可、以及大瑜伽區商務與旅遊聯盟行政主任卡翠娜•珂森，都以精采的致詞為這項新春慶典/園遊會增色。海斯查可郡長對萬佛聖城、育良培德中小學，都十分熟悉。在步入政壇前，這位郡長在瑜伽市以北半小時車程的威利茨市，擔任教師多年，並曾在萬佛聖城暑期班教授「英語為第二語言」課程。海斯查可郡長十分認同宣公上人以品德為本的教育理念，他自己的一兒一女都曾就讀培德中學數年，他當時還擔任家長會會長。育良小學男校的一位班導師，更是在他的建議下，前來申請任教。
Ukiah City Council Member Juan Orozco also attending the event, stated, “The Lunar New Year Celebration at CTTB this year was uplifting and hopeful in a period of uncertainty in our communities. Events like this are of upmost importance for the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
瑜伽市市議員璜•歐若茲寇也來參與盛會，他認為在許多社區都處於不確定狀況的此刻，今年在萬佛聖城舉辦的農曆新年慶典/園遊會令人振奮，也為大家帶來希望。像這樣的活動，對於社區的健康與福祉是至關重要的。
Lisa Kvasnicka, president of the Willits Chamber of Commerce, and her husband, the Chamber’s event coordinator John Kvasnicka, also attended. This was their first time at CTTB, experiencing a different culture. John Kvasnicka expressed that the people in CTTB were very nice and polite, and each booth had unique cultural characteristics. They greatly appreciated the Jyun Kang booth and planned to visit again to dine at the Jyun Kang Vegetarian Restaurant.
威利茨市的商會會長麗莎•卡瓦思尼卡與夫婿（該會活動協調人）約翰•卡瓦思尼卡也連袂前來，這是他們第一次來到萬佛聖城，體驗不同的文化。約翰•卡瓦思尼卡表示，萬佛聖城裡的人都很客氣有禮，每個攤位深具文化特色，他們對君康攤位非常欣賞，計劃下次還要再來，專程到君康素菜館用餐。
As we welcome the Year of the Snake, the festivities at CTTB have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who attended, showcasing the talent of students and the vibrant, multicultural spirit of the Ukiah community.
在迎接蛇年的同時，萬佛聖城的新春慶典/園遊會，無疑在所有參加者心中留下深刻的印記，展示了學生的才華和瑜伽社區充滿活力、擁抱多元文化的精神。♦