By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great compassionate Buddha!A new year has finally come to the world again.
The toll of bells,
The sound of fireworks,
The new calendar on the wall
Everything suggests that
All things change from old to new when a new year begins.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
At the beginning of the new year,
I will look upon everything in the past as
A yesterday that has passed away,
And everything in the future as
A today that is newly born.
I would like to express my wishes:
At the beginning of this new year, I wish for:
Harmony in the family and happiness at home;
Contentment in life and good acts to help the world;
Stability in emotions and dignity in character;
The elimination of bad habits and advances in moral cultivation;
Determination in actions and compassion in relationships;
Contentment in career and health in body and mind;
Improvement in cultivation and increase in wisdom;
Abundance in Buddhism and liberation for all beings;
Steadfastness in society and happiness in people;
Peace on earth and universal rejoicing.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
In the new year please grant:
That every word I say may be compassionate, kind, and encouraging;
That everything I do may be acceptable to people and beneficial to the masses;
That every intention I have maybe a blessing to others and a transfer of merits to them;
That every action I take may be beneficial to the nation and of assistance to the world;
May I be willing to contribute my own body and mind to society;
May I be willing to share everything I own with others.
I pray to you, Buddha,
Please bless and support me with your compassion;
Allow me to share in the suffering of others;
Allow me to promote the well-being of society.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Please give me strength,
Allow me to progress on the way to enlightenment wholeheartedly,
Without idleness and without regret.
Please give me faith;
Allow me to overcome the barriers of delusion on the way to Buddhahood,
And to benefit both self and others.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
A new year brings new hope;
Allow me to start everything anew!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
A new year brings new hope;
Allow me to start everything anew.
Cultivate a Heart that Blooms in All Seasons
(Excerpted from “A Prayer for the New Year (新春祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living II by Venerable Master Hsing Yun)