Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Richmond Review · Page 13
Chinese New Year
Authentic, Natural Greek Cuisine
Greek Salad
Open in Steveston Village for 16 years
The kitchen at Bodhi Meditation Centre will be preparing food for hundreds of people tomorrow. Arlene Kroeker photo
3420 Moncton Street
604 277 5626 Monday-Saturday 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sunday 4:00–10:00 pm
Roast Lamb
‘The food is made with love’ Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Bodhi Meditation Centre by Arlene Kroeker Contributor
H
ow wonderful to live in a city that celebrates two new year’s eves. On Thursday, Jan. 30th, Chinese New Year events begin. I know where I will countdown to midnight—at the Bodhi Meditation Centre on Alderbridge Way. I drove by the centre for years before a friend invited me to join her in July for a Thursday evening English group of meditation. I did. And I still do. Two years ago, Qi Chen, a meditation instructor, reached out to the English-speaking community to share the benefits of health, happiness, and compassion that result from Bodhi meditation.
Master JinBodhi also wanted the centre to feel like home to anyone who entered and so he decided that breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be served daily. For free.
On the weekend, the Chinese and English groups worked together to prepare the centre for the new year by cleaning everything from plant leaves and light fixtures to windows and sidewalks. They strung up red lanterns outside the building and made hundreds of lotus lanterns for the hall. Research in the past 20 years has determined that meditation does indeed improve our physical and mental well-being, including relief from stress, improved concentration, imagination, and creativity. Bodhi meditation, a non-denominational meditation, has healed many, physically and emotionally. Grateful practitioners and instructors, such as Qi, volunteer their time to this not-for-profit organization founded by Master JinBodhi. The meditation techniques of Bodhi were developed by Master JinBodhi, who drew on his 17 years of Buddhist training. He decided many years ago to share this practice with the world, so everyone could experience health and happiness. Master JinBodhi also wanted the centre to feel like home to anyone who entered and so he decided that breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be served daily. For free. (The meditation classes are free as well.) The kitchen crew, all volunteers, are led by Micky Mao, a young wife and mother of two. See Page 14
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE
HORSEPOWER Discover the freedom of a new car during our Chinese New Year sale. Greet the Year of the Horse with great deals on new and used vehicles that will leave you with extra money to fill some red envelopes.
TRY THE CARS YOU LIKE, BUY THE CAR YOU LOVE. www.richmondautomall.com | 604-270-AUTO In Richmond, Knight Street at Westminster Highway