Ching Pan
February 16, 2024

As the 2024 Lunar New Year approaches, devotees of Hsi Fang Temple of Fo Guang Shan, regardless of ethnicity, age, or gender, uphold the spirit of the founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, "propagate Dharma through cultural activities." Together, they have collectively created four special exhibitions: Cloud and Water Dragon, Carefree Orchids, Auspicious Mala, and Joyful LEGO. Among them, "Clouds and Water Dragon" is crafted from various recycled materials, allowing old materials to be reborn in the new year.

Lynette King, the designer of the outdoor Cloud and Water Dragon (second from the left), tests the capacity to support the dragon's head along with the volunteers. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

The exhibition of "Clouds and Water Dragon" showcases two dragons bestowing blessings, one on the outdoor corridor and the other welcoming visitors inside the Main Shrine. Lynette King, the designer of the outdoor Cloud and Water Dragon, expressed gratitude for everyone's efforts in transforming recycled materials "from unwanted to wanted—from mundane to extraordinary!" The dragon spans 46 feet, with its vibrant 1/2” plywood head held high leisurely, grinning from ear-to-ear, and coming to greet and to welcome all beings, including local neighbors walking or driving by. The community has been delighted to see the visiting lucky dragon and have been amazed as it comes to life at night with LED lights aglow. During daytime, its shimmering painted array of warm-hued red, orange, and golden yellow recycled plastic lid scales have been cleverly stapled together, dangle, and sway in unison by gentle breezes—which seem to lift the dragon into flight amidst the surrounding puffy clouds and bring to life Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s 2024 New Year’s Blessing to ALL: “May You Be Free As Cloud and Water, Auspicious and JOYFUL!” Its long flowing majestic body—made from one long continuous piece of old thick braided rope, found discarded in the alley behind the temple, coiled around a large weathered wooden spool—seems to float effortlessly on forever and ever.

Volunteer spray-paints recycled plastic lids in bright red, orange, and gold, to be used as the “lucky scales” of the Cloud and Water Dragon. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Lynette King also mentioned that the most warmhearted and happiest-ever New Year’s dragon arrived early in San Diego, California, just in time to attend the World Peace Interfaith Meditation Day at Hsi Fang Temple, and offer up its lucky scales for everyone to write their well-wishes upon, Dec. 31, 2023.
The temple members staple the “lucky scales” together. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Beside the Cloud and Water Dragon, there is a banner explaining the symbolism of dragons in Chinese culture and Buddhism, as well as the meaning of "May You Be Free as Cloud and Water, Auspicious and Joyful," allowing the community to appreciate the dragon and gain insight into Chinese culture.

Entering the second floor, a Quilling paper adheres to the wall of the Main Shrine, with the image of children surrounding the Cloud and Water Dragon to celebrate the New Year. Designed by Li Ma, this artwork was created with the help of elders, parents, youth, children, etc. They used tools to roll up various colored paper strips, shaping them through pinching, folding, rubbing, bending, and twisting, and then piecing and sticking them together to create clouds, lanterns, lion dances, children, and more patterns, presenting a sense of three-dimensionality through the art of rolled paper. Zilu, who participated in the making of the dragon’s scales, expressed that the process requires a calm mind, like in the state of meditation, plus it's made by using recycled paper, which holds extraordinary significance.

The lion dance art piece is completed by the whole family of the designer, Li Ma. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

The indoor Cloud and Water Dragon is presented through the art of rolled paper (Quilling), where the process requires a calm mind, much like meditation. Moreover, it's made using recycled paper, adding extraordinary significance to its creation. photo／Hsi Fang Temple

Venerable Zhiching stated that during the Lunar New Year Festival, there will also be a Creative Art & Craft Station, where recycled materials such as fruit foam sleeves and recycled paper are used to create Clouds and Water Dragon art pieces. Hsi Fang temple wholeheartedly welcomes everyone to come and enjoy the Lunar New Year.

Everyone comes together to create auspicious clouds and red lanterns. photo／Hsi Fang Temple