This year, 2018, is a special one for Guan Yin Citta Buddhist Practice Center in Frankfurt, Germany, as it marks half a decade since it was established in 2013. Since then, the Buddhist Practice Center has remained constant in its unwavering commitment to promoting Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhist teachings and core values of Buddhism. To celebrate the milestone of growth and development, Guan Yin Citta Frankfurt held a Buddhist cultural gala and free vegetarian feast event at the Buddhist practice center on September 9^th, 2018. Hundreds of Buddhist friends converged on the beautiful central German city and brought their hearty greetings to the Guan Yin Citta Frankfurt. They represented 21 Buddhist practice groups in Europe, including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, France, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Munich, Nuremberg, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Hannover, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Bonn and Frankfurt.

The celebration started with the Buddhist cultural gala show brought by volunteers from Guan Yin Citta. They presented the guests with amazing performances, including solo singing, “Heart light”, “Praises for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva”, Guzheng pieces of “Pipa Whisper”, “Zen heart beside the misty river”. Some Buddhist kids performed reading Buddhist stories and reciting Buddhist scriptures in chorus. The Buddhist cultural gala showcased the great charm of Buddhism and expressed Buddhist friends’ gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Master Jun Hong Lu. Several Buddhist friends with different backgrounds shared their real life experiences of overcoming adversity by practicing Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. These heartfelt sharing aroused echoes in people’s hearts and acted as the best testimonials to the Dharma power of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door. After the show, everyone enjoyed a fantastic vegetarian feast with over 40 kinds of diverse cuisines, both delicious and filling. Many guests and Buddhist friends can’t stop singing their praises of the food, and expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the meticulous arrangements and warm reception. 

Coincidentally, the day of the 5-year anniversary was also the birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. On such a special day, all the Buddhist practitioners and friends commemorated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and his great compassion and strong vows to guide all living beings from the hell and deny to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied. Surprisingly, during the day of celebration, the rare, spectacular iridescent clouds appeared in the sky above the venue of Guan Yin Citta three times and created stunning sky display. The one occurred around 6:00 pm remained in the sky for about half an hour. It started as a small circle then grew bigger to engulf the sun and the colors changed as the cloud evolved. Everyone spotted the beautiful phenomenon felt excited and blessed.

The celebration was a huge success. Not only did it enhance morale, but also brought love and compassion that pulled every brother and sister together to become one. It is Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Master Jun Hong Lu who have given us such a warm home for the soul. And it is Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhist teachings that guide us in the journey toward unity with hope, fraternity with joy. As the spiritual home for many Buddhist friends in Germany, Guan Yin Citta Frankfurt will continue dedicating itself to transmitting love and compassion, sowing Dharma seeds and kindness, delivering more sentient beings in the future.