NEWS UPDATES

February 2000: Lighting the Way to Harmony  

RELIGION: Thousands wish for world peace and happiness during an interfaith ceremony. 
February 28, 2000
By TERI SFORZA
The Orange County Register 

Prayers Fill Buddhist Rite

ANAHEIM - Thousands of flickering candles floated toward the ceiling, as if lifted by a swelling wave. In the dark, in Chinese, the voices chanted: "All the sins I have committed in the past, all rise from greed, hatred and ignorance since beginningless time. Created from transgressions of action, speech and thought, I now seek repentance in front of the Buddhas ..." And the candles floated down again, as if the wave was subsiding. About 7,000 people packed the Anaheim Convention Center's arena Sunday for a two-hour Light of Hope Interfaith Candlelight Ceremony, where they prayed for familial happiness, racial harmony, social stability and world peace. "In our lifetimes, we behave foolishly. We are ignorant because the light in our minds is not being lit," said the Venerable Master Hsing Yun in Chinese, as he sat on a spinning altar built in the shape of a lotus blossom. Above him, adorned with flowers, was a towering statue of Buddha. The ceremony, a project of the Hsi Lai Temple of Hacienda Heights, is sacred in Buddhist tradition. "We are lighting the light of our hearts and minds so we can develop wisdom," the master explained. "Light represents hope and happiness." Haunting chants, clanging bells and fragrant incense accompanied the solemn parades of nuns and monks through the arena. "Hopefully, we bring harmony to society and rekindle the inner life of the individual," said Cherry Lai, temple spokeswoman. Most of the participants were from the Los Angeles area, although some came from as far away as Australia and South America. "It makes you feel like you want to go out and do it right," said Ellen Briggs of La Mesa, adding that she had never seen anything like it before. "It was absolutely gorgeous."