In celebration of the 2019 Lunar New Year, Year of the Pig, Chan Meditation Center held the Medicine Buddha chanting service from February 5 through 9 and a celebration on February 10. Over 400 people participated in these activities.

On the morning of the first day of the chanting service, there was a special chanting of the 88 Buddhas Great Repentance. The Medicine Buddha chanting service included chanting of the Sutra of the Medicine Buddha and mantra, and dharma talks by Venerable Changhwa, Director of CMC. For lunch, on each day of the service, a different specialty vegetarian noodle dish was served. Dharma talk topics included Venerable's own experience with the mantra associated with the Medicine Buddha during Venerable’s participation of an interfaith gathering at the National September 11 Memorial in downtown New York and the 12 Great Vows of the Medicine Buddha and their meaning.

On February 10, there was a Taking Refuge Ceremony led by Venerable Guo Yuan, a dharma heir of the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen and Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Pine Bush, New York. Seven people participated in the ceremony which included taking refuge in the Three Jewels, receiving the Five Precepts, and making the Four Great Vows. Venerable explained the significance of the Taking Refuge Ceremony, likening taking refuge to coming home. The Three Jewels are the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. By taking refuge in the Buddha, they are taking refuge in the Buddhas of the ten directions and three times (past, present and future). By taking refuge in the Dharma, they are taking refuge in the methods and concepts taught by the Buddha so that they may help others. By taking refuge in the Sangha, they are taking refuge in the harmonious four-fold community (laymen, laywomen, monks and nuns) from generation to generations. Participants were given dharma names and were presented with certificates and gifts of mala beads and necklaces with pendants of images of Shakyamuni Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

Venerable Guo Yuan also gave a special dharma talk entitled, "A Good Wish for the World". Venerable talked about the types of vows that one should make and told stories of famous practitioners such as Kumarajiva, Xuanzang and Jianzhen, their vows, obstacles and accomplishments. Venerable talked about the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen’s own vows to teach and share the Buddha dharma. Venerable emphasized the importance of making vows not only for one’s self but to benefit all sentient beings, and stated that making vows gives direction in one’s practice and strengthens one’s motivations.

As part of the celebration, there was a group dance performance, a ballet performance from the Nutcracker Suite, musical performances on the Chinese harp (guzheng), a vegetarian feast, and art activities. Participants were also given gift bags and other presents to take home.