Tay Kak Sie Buddhist Temple Shares Ang Pao, Looking Forward Chinese New Year

Reporter by:

Liu / IM

Semarang, January 28, 2019//Indonesia Media – oldest temple in Semarang, Tay Kak Sie was crowded by elderly, staying in the queue for ang pao (red packets) on Sunday (27th January) as they look forward to Chinese News Year (CNY) of 2570/2019 which falls on February 5th. some Chinese elderly, especially those who live in Semarang, Central Java receive invitations every year from Tay Kak Sie’s community organizer. “We organize the event, (namely) ‘sharing ang pao/red packets’ for the elderly every year. we target to distribute 2000 (two thousand) ang pao for the elderly. But, only one thousand (people) register and attend the event on average. We just distribute ang pao to those (elderly) whose age above 65 years,” said Tanto Hermawan, Chief of Tay Kak Sie’s community organizer.

 The Chinese New Year of 2019 falls on February 5th (Tuesday), and the festival will last to February 19th, about 15 days in total. 2019 is a Year of the Pig according to Chinese zodiac. “This is actually an internal event of Tay Kak Sie. We realize that the event and our temple are worth visiting for foreign tourists. But we have not planned to propose the event for (Semarang) city government’s annual event,” said Tanto.

 The event may be considered to gain some experience of cherishing all human beings, especially elderly family members. Through the reflection, people can deepen compassion by sharing. In general everyone already has some compassion. people, all feel compassion when seeing their family or friends in distress. “Therefore, many devotees are willing to share ang pao. They become regular sponsorships for event of ang pao,” said Tanto

 Tay Kak Sie itself has been a place for Chinese community in Semarang to hold many social activities. Sharing ang pao for elderly is not the only event, but many. Community of Tay Kak Sie also hold charity during Moslem ‘Lebaran’ festival. “We distribute packets of staple food for needy people who look forward to celebrate Lebaran every year,” said Tanto. (Liu/IM)