Comic：The Big Buddha
【明報專訊】In Hong Kong, the Buddha's Birthday is a public holiday. This year, it fell on last Thursday. Let's find out what the Smarties were doing together to celebrate this unique festival.
“ MoMo: Woo hoo! It's the Big Buddha! It's so small! ”
“ Bill: Ha! Ha! But that's the world's second largest outdoor bronze statue of a seated Buddha! ”
“ Pat: Are we really going up all the way to the top? ”
“ Dr Panda: Yeah, there are a total of 268 steps. No big deal! ”
“ Dr Panda: Let's take a short rest. We're almost there! ”
“ MoMo: Hang in there! ”
“ Eason: I'm exhausted. I don't think I can ever make it to the top. ”
“ MoMo、Bill、Pat、Dr Panda: Happy birthday, the Buddha! ”
■English highway﹕Phrases for encouraging sb.
There are a lot of expressions which can be used to encourage someone.
''Hang in there'' is used to tell someone to not give up despite difficulties.
e.g. Hang in there! You'll soon succeed!
''Go for it'' is used to ask someone to be brave to take action.
e.g. It sounds great! Go for it! You can do it!
■Know more
On the Buddha's birthday, which falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, a Buddha bathing ceremony is held at the Po Lin Monastery near the Big Buddha. The ceremony includes the bathing of statues of the baby Buddha. It is believed that this can purify our souls. Buddhists eat bitter green cookies (欒樨餅, picture) as a custom to celebrate the Buddha's birthday. Besides, visitors can enjoy the special vegetarian delicacies.
■Glossary
exhausted (adj) 筋疲力盡的
purify (v) 凈化
Buddhist (n) 佛教徒
delicacy (n) 美食
[Smarties' Power English 第278期]
Grammar：Prepositions for telling time
【明報專訊】The Smarties are visiting a newly opened amusement park - Bunnie... 詳情
