Celebrating Chinese New Year and Gift Exchange Event at IBC
By Jason Robbins, MA Student
Legend has it that on the last night of every lunar year, a mythical beast named “Nian” would emerge from either the sea or the mountains to terrorize people in Ancient China. Nian’s victims learned that the beast could be driven away by loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. The legend of Nian helps explain why many who celebrate Chinese New Year still do so with fireworks, lanterns, and lots of red.
While lacking the flash and bang of fireworks, the International Buddhist College celebrated Chinese New Year during an hour-long event held on February 25 in its main lobby. The space was beautifully adorned with dozens of red lanterns illuminated by ceiling lights. The smell of incense filled the room, along with the hope of attendees for an auspicious beginning to the new lunar year.
Theravāda monks started the event at IBC by honoring the Triple Gem—namely, the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha—with Pāli chanting. The Buddha, however, had been honored even before the chanting commenced, when candles were lit beneath his image, which stands just outside the entrance to the university library. Venerable Zhen Sheng, Director of the Rector’s Office at the university, then delivered the event’s opening remarks, both in Chinese and English.
The centerpiece of the Chinese New Year ceremony at IBC was the gift exchange activity. Gifts were purchased by students, teachers, and staff, and then distributed randomly among them. Several attendees won body pillows, including a plush, pink “Hello Kitty” version. A separate but equally nice pillow was awarded to one of IBC’s lay students who immediately exchanged it with a bhikkhuni who had been eyeing it, highlighting the spirit of generosity among Buddhists.
Visibly excited, students and staff applauded each gift as it was handed out, in a rare display of emotion at this usually calm monastic institution. A member of the university’s administrative staff won a set of coffee mugs; one of the professors won tins of sweetened, condensed milk. Many of the gifts were wrapped, concealing their contents but increasing the suspense of their recipients waiting to open them. In a separate activity, the university furnished additional gifts, again by way of random selection. Book-bags appeared to be the top prize here.
When all of the prizes had been exhausted, the university allowed those in attendance to strike the “sacred bell.” Having already written personal wishes for the new year onto a small paper ornament, students knelt down one-by-one before a large, metal bell and struck it firmly three times with a metal instrument, creating a deep booming sound that resounded down the halls to the left and right of the lobby area. After striking the bell, each student hung their paper ornament, shaped like a leaf, from one of the branches of a tree that stood next to the bell. As this tree still stands in the university lobby, visitors to IBC have the opportunity to read all of the well-wishes made for the new year.
The Chinese New Year event at IBC concluded with refreshments. The university treated its students to what might be considered minor indulgences, including Coca-Cola, bread, and sweets. With full stomachs, several students and university staff loitered in the lobby for some time after the event had officially concluded, enjoying light conversation while festive Chinese music played in the background.
Officially, the first day of the new lunar year was February 17th. Per the Chinese Zodiac, 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, traditionally associated with qualities such as energy and independence.
