Over the years we used to give-out perhaps 20-cards at the peak of my teaching gongfu – plus a few others to academic students – and receives a few back in return. We order the commemorative coins from China – although some Western outlets also issue a version at a much inflated price. As the years have gone by, and as times have changed, the anti-China racism in the West has seen non-Chinese people reject any non-Judeo-Christian celebrations – seeing these ceremonies as a form of “invasion” (this includes individuals we know who used to shae in this joyous time – but do not anymore). Of course, Jewish, Sikh and Muslim rituals are accepted with open-arms. In the US even Black Magic and Voodoo is protected under religious toleration laws (including the hideous practice of “animal” sacrifice) – but not anything related to Mainland China.
The Trump II era is currently pumping-out the propaganda that “Chinese New Year” is NOT “Chinese” (i.e. not relatable to the 1.8 billion people who inhabit Mainland China) – but is in fact merely the “Lunar New Year” which belongs to everyone but the “Chinese”. Apparently, whilst using coded messaging in the mainstream press suggesting that “old” and “oppressive” regimes should be “overthrown” – the US anti-intellectualism that controls the White House does not seem to realise that there are MANY “lunar” calendar that do not align with the Chinese version (the Buddhist and Mohammedans are two examples). Ironically, within China there are both Buddhists and Muslims who celebrate the Chinese New Year – because they are “Chinese”. Outside of China, Muslims tend to reject anything not permitted by their religious leaders – although Buddhists are far more flexible (as they do not worship an “imagined” theistic entity). The point of Chinese New Year is to share the joy of this “Spring Festival” as traditionally people looked forward to a new rice-crop that would sustain the nation! Chinese New Year belongs to Mainland China!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 