The courtyard of Berkeley’s Nan Tien Temple was abuzz with colour, beautiful aroma’s and smiles painted on thousands of faces on Monday. It marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year of the monkey, an innovative and curious animal.
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Temple director Venerable Miao You said westerners could be inspired by the monkey and “think outside the square” to be creative and innovative.
“It’s a symbolic animal of having affinity with others, he’s got lots of creative energy,” she said. “Hopefully this year with the crisis of the world everyone can come up with some creative problem solving.”
Likened to Christmas, families will come together over the next two weeks to celebrate the beginning of a new season. Customary red envelopes will be exchanged with either money and or well wishes inside.
Meantime, Venerable Miao You would like to see the special day as a public holiday in the future. She said as Australia is a multicultural society, every different custom or culture should be celebrated.
