A Warm Halloween with a Glow of Dharma at Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple
 
【Seattle LSCT Temple, Redmond / LC】

On the cold, rainy night of October 31, 2024, an unusual sense of joy lit up the entrance to Seattle’s Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple’s dining hall. Despite temperatures hovering around 8°C and a steady drizzle, the enthusiasm of numerous disciples remained undeterred as they gathered together. Followers of all ages transformed into various creatures of the night, holding pumpkin lanterns and donning creative costumes, celebrating a unique Halloween gathering with Living Buddha Grand Master Lu.
 
Although Halloween is not a traditional Buddhist holiday, Seattle’s Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple, with its spirit of “meeting people where they are,” embraced the holiday as a chance to connect. The temple was decorated with pumpkins, haunted houses, and cobwebs, creating a festive Halloween atmosphere. Friends from Singapore had contributed to the event with props, creative ideas, and their wholehearted support. A large box of candy at the entrance awaited eager “ghosts” calling out “Trick or Treat!” Smiling faces filled the area, and the cheerful voices of young trick-or-treaters warmed the night. Master Lu then shared a light-hearted joke: “Xiao Ming’s mom won first place in a costume contest and was heartbroken… she wasn’t wearing any makeup!” Laughter echoed, dispelling the night’s chill.
 
A group photo captured Grand Master Lu and the crowd at the temple’s dining hall, with the benevolent gaze of Buddha statues watching over everyone, seemingly guarding this lively group of “ghosts.” Someone quietly asked, “I wonder what Shakyamuni Buddha and Pindola are thinking as they watch these ghosts?” This led to a reminder of Grand Master Lu’s teaching: “A day without cultivation is a day lived as a ghost.” This profound message encouraged disciples to cherish their time, not waste life, and diligently cultivate a brighter future. The Dharma reminds us of life’s impermanence, as expressed in the song Time Passes Quickly: “Even the young will eventually grow old.” Without cultivation in this life, how can liberation be achieved in the next?
 
Though the night was cold and wet, Grand Master Lu’s humor and wisdom warmed everyone present. Participants not only embraced this playful “ghostly” celebration but also used the opportunity to reflect on the truths of authenticity in life. As disciples dressed in quirky costumes exchanged winks and spooky faces, a humorous scene unfolded. One observer quipped, “So, that’s what the peaceful and wrathful deities of Vajrayana Buddhism look like!”
 
In the face of life’s impermanence, what truly belongs to us is not worldly possessions but the wisdom and merit we gain from cultivation. This Halloween gathering, guided by Grand Master Lu’s wisdom, became not only a festive celebration but also a moment for reflection and renewed dedication to spiritual progress. Dressing up as “ghosts” isn’t frightening; what’s frightening is not cultivating and becoming trapped in the six realms of rebirth.
 
On this special Halloween night, Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple’s gathering of “ghosts and spirits” returned to calm amid laughter, with the light of Dharma planted deeply in each heart. As night fell, this light became an eternal glow in their hearts.