The Dragon's Head Blog
All Souls Festival Reflection
During the All Souls Festival I saw respect and caring for the souls who have passed over and the love and caring that was given through the acts of chanting and the many pledges. Seeing the altars carefully prepared was beautifully sacred and inspired me to set up my own altar in my home. This […]
Happy Birthday Felicia
A few days ago we, at the Greater Miami Branch, had a very special celebration. Felicia Ponzano, a participant of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA for the past 28 years, reached her 100th birthday! Not only that, but the week prior to her birthday, she had successfully renewed her precious driver’s license—precious […]
Portland Branch Participants Offer their First Demo in Over Two Years
On July 16, 2022, members of the Portland Taoist Tai Chi® branch held an all-day demo at TeaFestPDX. The branch has participated in this event since its inception six years ago and has enjoyed a very positive relationship with the organizers. The event returned this year after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. 70 vendors […]
All Souls Festival – Reflections
Many participants have reflected on their experiences during the recent All Souls Festival celebrations. Below are some of the comments received on Facebook. I feel the All Souls Festival is a time of special connection for us with our ancestors and ALL souls. And feeling it so strongly now, that the connection carries on throughout the […]
All Souls Festival Conclusion
Throughout the vast worldMay there be no anxiety and no hindrance.The cycles of death and life go on;What else could there be?If you go when you must go,How could you not be at ease?Turn your mind to the TaoAnd deliverance will quickly come! Chanting encouraging souls of the departed to let go of attachments and […]
Honoring and Aiding
There is a Chinese saying “When the dead are at peace, then the living shall prosper.” All Souls Festival gives the living an opportunity to express filial piety, harmony and dedication. In honouring and aiding the dead during All Souls Festival, we reduce suffering and bring blessings to the worlds of the living and the […]
Goon Yam Precious Announcements
Goon Yam, Deity of Compassion, cares for all. “She seeks out and responds to the cries of the worldMoving her spirit and revealing her compassionHer enlightened virtue towers over allAnd her power is deep beyond measureThe netherworld awakens to receive the gift of deliveranceAll beings come to health and receive the gift of life” From […]
Wisdom of the Sutras
All Souls Festival gives souls a chance to listen to the wisdom of the sutras chanted during the days of the festival and become free by resolving any attachments, entanglements, or conflicts they had during their lifetimes.
Troubled Souls
Chanting during All Souls Festival brings peace to troubled souls who have died tragically. Our special offerings for these souls help them find release from their suffering.
Harmony
We all have a relationship with our ancestors. All Souls Festival provides a way to care for and maintain harmony with them. This harmony then permeates our lives and our communities. The Columbarium, the cemetery and the Memorial Hall at the Fung Loy Kok International Centre are each dedicated to caring for the souls of […]
Preparing for All Souls Festival
As we prepare for All Souls Festival we compose ourselvesWe approach the tasks with respectful intentionCarefully, and with reverence we place items on the altarFlowers, fruit, Jai, tea, wineWe light incenseIt is muted, quiet. There is a palpable sense of connection.We chantAt closing it is joyful Can I approach my life with the same respectful […]
Beautiful Bags
All Souls Festival gives the living an opportunity to express filial piety, harmony and dedication by honouring ancestors, relatives and friends who have passed away. Beautiful paper bags decorated with symbols of longevity, balance and comfort in the afterlife hold paper offerings to be burnt.
Volunteers
At this time of year the temples bustle with activity. Volunteers at D’Arcy Street and the Fung Loy Kok International Centre prepare for the All Souls Festival. They wash fruit, prepare jai vegetarian food as offerings and fill bags with paper offerings.
Care Offerings
In traditional Taoist belief, souls of the dead continue to need care from those in the world of the living. Offerings to them include items for daily use such as food, shelter, clothing and money.
Wong Ling Goon Festival
As a powerful deity, Wong Ling Goon used the teachings to transform himself so that his strength would protect the path of Taoism. Today Fung Loy Kok participants from around the world chanted to celebrate Wong Ling Goon, the Guardian of the Tao.
Paper Offerings
Buddhist and Taoist temples around the world observe All Souls Festival during the first half of the 7th lunar month when the gates of the realm of the dead are opened and the souls of the deceased can receive offerings. Paper offerings help the souls.
Deep, and still light
The ability to let go, that we train, extends to letting go of having – there, somewhere – a goal to achieve: in fact, you finally find out that the goal is the path itself, where we commit to keep walking, along with so many (and so much different) others and with his wise […]
Paper Money
All Souls Festival is one of the most important times of year in the Taoist calendar. It provides an opportunity for the living to honor those who have passed away. Volunteers prepare paper offerings for the souls of the departed in the Realm of Yin.
Goon Yam Festival
Yesterday Fung Loy Kok participants from around the world chanted to celebrate and be inspired by Goon Yam (Guanyin), the bodhisattva of compassion. Through chanting together our intention is to bring greater peace and harmony to the world.
Self Practice
I have gained a deeper understanding of the organization and Master Moy’s teachings after attending the virtual sessions for the last two years. A simple message has guided us: self practice. Although the message is simple, to carry it out requires diligent practice. When I first started to practice on my own, it was hard […]
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