Foshan Chancheng Importers' and Exporters' Association 2023 Luofu Mountain Blessing Trip
The 21st of March, which is the vernal equinox, meaning that spring is already halfway over. It's a sea of flowers, wildflowers and mountain flowers everywhere. The most abundant flowers are the cotton bulbs, which can be picked to make black rice cakes, and in half a month's time it will be the Qingming Festival.
And yesterday was the first day of the second month of the leap lunar calendar, which, in China, refers exclusively to the first day of the lunar month, as the saying goes: "The plan of the year lies in spring, and the plan of the day lies in the morning." The first day of the natural month is also very important, and it is usually the day when many Chinese people eat a fasting feast and offer incense to pray for good fortune.
On 22 March, the first day of the leap February, the Foshan Chancheng Importers' and Exporters' Association organised a blessing trip to Huizhou Luofu Mountain for various members of the Chancheng District. A group of about 30 of us arrived at the meeting place at 8.30am and left by car. In the car, the Chamber's leaders also introduced the specific arrangements for the event.
When we arrived at our destination, we visited the Yanxiang Temple, which has a history of over 1500 years. Yanxiang Temple, with a history of more than 1500 years, was built in 535 AD in the first year of Datong, the first year of Emperor Wu of Liang, by the famous head monk of the time, Jingtai Zen Master. According to the "Borao County Records", during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the Western monk Qian Mudoruo transported the Buddha statue through Panyu, but the boat did not move, so he decided that there was a precious temple here, and reported it to the court. He was so pleased with the taste of the fruit that he gave it the name of Yanxiang Temple. In 1997, when the temple was rebuilt, Elder Shi Benghuan wrote the words "Blessed is the land of immortals, for me, Luofu" and "Blessed" in his own handwriting.
We were dressed in Haiqing clothes, read Buddhist sutras, listened to the sound of meditation, copied the Prajna Paramita Sutra, ate fasting food, and watched the lake and mountains from the top of the mountain, which was like a fairyland with clouds and mist.
The foreign trade market encountered unprecedented difficulties in 2023, with a relatively large slip in the scale of orders, especially for us who are doing household products, and we encountered great difficulties today. Through this blessing trip, we can wash our hearts and minds and treat them normally in our daily life. Only by doing well for ourselves, I believe our export business can flourish and create another brilliant year in 2023.
