2024 Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at IBC

Reported by: Ms. Sabrina, MA student

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a significant cultural celebration observed by people across East and Southeast Asia on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This festival symbolizes reunion, gratitude, and the harvest season, as families come together to admire the full moon and enjoy traditional delicacies. This year, on 17 September, IBC held a vibrant celebration, fostering community spirit and cultural appreciation among students and faculty.

At 7.00 pm on that day, faculty, students and staff gathered at the main lobby of IBC to participate in the festive activities. The event began with a solemn chanting ceremony, whereby representatives from the Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Tibetan communities chanted sacred verses in Pāli, Chinese, and Tibetan respectively, symbolizing the rich cultural diversity of our college community.

This was followed by Dharma sharing sessions led by Khenpo Rangdrol and Venerable Zhen Ti. Khenpo Rangdrol shared helpful thoughts on the practice of purifying one’s mind. He emphasized the importance of regularly observing our minds. Venerable Zhen Ti then spoke about how the members of the IBC are like a big family with an atmosphere of care and understanding. She emphasized that the significance of the Mooncake Festival is about reunion, and she hopes that all IBC members will appreciate the time they are in IBC and practice mutual respect and tolerance among themselves.

The festivities continued with a video presentation that introduced the meaning and historical significance of the Mooncake Festival. The video provided viewers with a deeper understanding of the cultural traditions and symbolism associated with this important East Asian celebration.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the lighting of colorful lanterns. The vibrant lights created a magical atmosphere, as participants gathered around the lanterns, taking in the beauty of the moment. To commemorate the occasion, a group photo was taken, capturing the smiles and joy of the college community as they came together to celebrate this special day.

The vibrant singing of IBC's theme song "For the Good of the Many" followed, their melodious tunes filling the air with celebration. Subsequently, Professor Tilak and some talented students delivered lively performances of songs, poetry recitation, and dance, executed with great enthusiasm and energy. The audience was captivated by the delightful performance that captured the happy, joyful atmosphere of the celebration.

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at our college was a resounding success, fostering a sense of community, cultural appreciation, and joy among all who participated. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.

As we mark this special occasion, we would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous Mid-Autumn Festival. May the light of the full moon guide you on your path, and may your lives be filled with love, laughter, and joy!