Dharma Drum Mountain Sydney Chapter Holds Year-End Gratitude Sharing Gathering to Welcome the Lunar New Year

On the morning of January 18, 2026, Dharma Drum Mountain Sydney Chapter held the "Moving Toward 2026: Blessings and Joy in Abundance – Global Year-End Gratitude Sharing Gathering." Nearly 60 devotees gathered together to welcome the coming lunar new year. Despite heavy rain in Sydney, it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of devotees returning "home" to reunite. The venue was filled with a warm and grateful atmosphere.

The event opened with a Lunar New Year greeting video from the Abbot President, Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), which quoted teachings of Master Sheng Yen to encourage everyone: "True abundance does not lie in how much we possess externally, but in knowing our blessings, cherishing them, and repaying kindness with gratitude. When the mind can settle, life becomes grounded and full of strength." This simple yet profound reminder set a calm and clear direction for the year ahead.
 
Following this, the Sydney Chapter connected via live videoconference with DDM branch centers around the world. Together with 22 locations in Taiwan and overseas and more than 8,100 Buddhist devotees, participants met online and exchanged blessings through team chants. When the Taiwan main venue cued the Sydney Chapter, the devotees on site shouted their slogan with synchronized movements, demonstrating the strong sense of unity and joy embodied by the Sydney Chapter's spirit of "sharing the same vow and walking the same path." Blessings from the Southern Hemisphere were thus sent to all corners of the world.
 
During the 2025 recap video and quiz segment, the focus was on DDM's 2025 annual theme, the "Power of Great Aspiration," guiding everyone to reflect on the growth journey of the Sydney Chapter. The video showed that every group practice, event, and volunteer constituted an essential force driving the Chapter forward. This allowed participants to once again appreciate the precious truth that "vows give rise to the flourishing of a Dharma center."
This year-end gratitude gathering also included specially arranged introductions and sharing from both outgoing and incoming teams. The Sydney Chapter expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kim for serving as the organizer for over two years. Under her leadership, the Chapter was able to grow steadily despite limited conditions, thereby earning sincere recognition and appreciation from all.
 
Kim shared that the Chapter's ability to have a space for group practice was made possible through special thanks to Tina, who has provided the current venue since early last year. Tina will continue to support its use until the end of this year, when it will undergo demolition and reconstruction. Kim also led everyone in expressing gratitude to Venerable Guo Chwan (果傳法師), the guiding Dharma teacher of Dharma Drum Mountain Australia Buddhist Association, for her compassionate guidance, as well as to all devotees present for their long-term support and the volunteer team for their selfless dedication. She said that taking on the role of organizer was the best opportunity for "training the mind through circumstances," learning to let go while also learning to take responsibility through service. She encouraged everyone to continue supporting the new team and work together toward the shared aspiration of purchasing a permanent venue for the Sydney Chapter.
 
The gathering joyfully announced that Ms. Sandra Lu (盧翠儀) would assume the role of the new organizer. Since joining the Sydney Chapter, Sandra has actively participated in activities and taken the initiative to assist wherever needed, demonstrating sincere aspirations and earning widespread affirmation. She will lead the new team in continuing to promote group practice and Dharma propagation at the Sydney Chapter. The audience offered warm applause and blessings to the new team, expressing hopes that the Chapter will move steadily toward the shared goal of acquiring a permanent venue.

Locilla, who attended the year-end gratitude sharing gathering for the first time, indicated that the event was warmly and expertly organized, leaving her deeply grateful and moved. She wished everyone peace and auspiciousness, world peace, and a joyful and abundant new year. Connie shared her gratitude for the Chapter's supportive practice environment, which allows her and her husband to return each week for meditation. She also appreciated the thoughtfully prepared English explanatory videos which enable non-Chinese speakers to participate in group practice. She encouraged everyone to return regularly for group practice in the new year as well as to cultivate a year of auspicious joy and abundance together.
As the event drew to a close, everyone recited the name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva in unison, dedicating the merits of the day to those suffering from natural disasters. Together they made a shared vow: may the conditions for the Sydney Chapter to acquire its own venue mature soon, thereby allowing the Buddhadharma to continue flowing in Sydney without end.
 
The DDM Sydney Chapter expressed the wish that in the new year, everyone may embody knowing and cherishing blessings, gratitude, and repaying kindness in daily life. With the transition between outgoing and incoming teams and the continued support of the community, the Sydney Chapter will keep moving forward step by step, welcoming the new year together.
 


Photos: Ethan He
Original text in Chinese: Clare Yang
Translation: Patricia Yang
Editing: Keith Brown