The Golden Harvest Carnival 2023 was held by Bodhi Meditation Malaysia on November 11th and 12th at the MAEPS (Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang) in Selangor. The event welcomed nearly 30,000 participants, with the excited attendees creating an unprecedented festive atmosphere.
Origin
Autumn is a season of happiness, symbolizing abundance and harvest, and is a good time for family reunions. With Medicine Buddha’s birthday around the corner, the founder of Bodhi Meditation, Grandmaster JinBodhi, hoped to establish connections with the public through a relaxed and joyful carnival.
The venue was meticulously decorated, bathed in the richness of golden autumn. The themed photo zone featured golden grains and abundant fruits complemented by adorable little calves, creating a lively scene, and the atmosphere was filled with happiness and joy, earning praise and gratitude from the participants.
Spectacular Opening Ceremony
The opening performances were diverse and captivating, featuring dragon and lion dances and the majestic “24 Seasons Drum” show. Following that, fireworks lit up the sky, set off by the head of the center along with various vendors and sponsors, officially inaugurating the opening of the 2023 Golden Harvest Carnival.
Hundreds of Booths for Endless Fun
There were over 150 booths offering a variety of food and entertainment. Guests enjoyed Malaysian delicacies and eye-catching artisanal products, along with the popular “Goddess Street” and engaging virtual reality games. The event featured Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) rental services, allowing attendees to wander through the market in traditional attire.
- Grandmaster JinBodhi Health Corner
The “Grandmaster JinBodhi Health Corner” featured not only Grandmaster JinBodhi’s healthy recipes but also the natural, safe ingredients he uses in those recipes. The ingredients were offered at a highly discounted price and were quickly sold out.
- The Zen Space
This corner features various ceramic tea sets and meditation products along with a selection of Grandmaster JinBodhi’s artwork, including “Mindless” and “Home by the Reeds.”
Lightwork Exhibition Featuring Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Paintings
For the first time, Bodhi Meditation publicly exhibited Grandmaster JinBodhi’s paintings through a lightwork exhibition with the theme of “Goals and Mission.” Here, 13 of Grandmaster JinBodhi’s paintings were showcased, some of which were revealed for the first time. Many attendees specifically came for this exhibition, making each session a full house and a highlight of the entire event.
Each painting tells of Grandmaster JinBodhi’s unique understanding of the world and is aglow with his appreciation of life. Just as the color palette shifts from painting to painting, so do our lives shift with constant ups and downs; Grandmaster’s art reminds us that each moment of our lives is inevitable and worthy of being savored.
The “Zen” atmosphere created by Grandmaster JinBodhi’s paintings had a profound impact on all present. Their emotions and curiosity were also awakened by the narration, which evoked a journey across time and space to discover the truth about life and Zen. Many participants felt the need to enter the exhibition for a second viewing.
Bodhi Meditation Charity Foundation: No One Gets Left Behind
“Every child must go to school” – Grandmaster JinBodhi is dedicated to the education of young people. He understands that education is crucial for future development and transformation, and that each child carries the hopes of their families and society.
However, due to urban-rural disparities, some schools have struggled to keep up with the equipment standards of larger cities. This was evident in SJKC Jinjang Utara and SJKC Tengah 1 in Kuala Lumpur. Both schools’ principals faced enormous challenges in fundraising. As such, Bodhi Meditation Charity Foundation decided to help in equipping both schools with “Smart Classroom” equipment, aiming to enhance the teaching efficiency of both schools by incorporating advanced multimedia teaching into their current lesson-delivery systems. Both schools received subsidies of RM 40,000 and RM 160,000 respectively to purchase AIO (All-in-One) PCs.
Subsequently, the children also received special gifts. Initially, students thought they could only take one gift; they were surprised to find out that they could take as many as they wanted. The principal of SJKC Tengah 1 urged the students to be grateful, study diligently, and contribute to society after achieving success in the future.
The Three Saints of the East
The event also featured statues of Medicine Buddha, Sunlight Bodhisattva, and Moonlight Bodhisattva, as well as four six-meter-tall thangkas for the participants to admire and worship.
Participants could show their reverence in front of the buddhas, offer incense and flowers, and take part in activities such as energy blessings, handwashing in a golden basin, and light-offering, satisfying their spiritual needs. In addition, they could also receive, free of charge, the blessed “Golden Beans and Rice” symbolizing health, longevity, prosperity, and fortune, or choose to participate in rice donation to gain merits for a better future, as the proceeds were to be donated to nursing homes, orphanages, and impoverished families with the wish that all beings enjoy a bountiful life.
The Lucky Draw
The climax of the event was undoubtedly the lucky draw. Over the course of two consecutive days of drawing, more than 40 luxurious prizes were given away, with the special prize being a brand-new Perodua MYVI. The lucky draw added a final touch of excitement and wonder to the entire event, bringing surprises and joy to the participants.
An Auspiciously Blessed Carnival
The Golden Harvest Carnival 2023 was a celebration filled with auspiciousness and happiness. The two-day event put smiles on the faces of all participants. We believe that this event encouraged more people to open their hearts and visit Bodhi Meditation to attain physical, mental, and spiritual health, as well as happiness and ease. We wish everyone health, peace, and wisdom. Let’s wish for another wonderful reunion!