Monday, 05/11/2026
New-Year Praying for Peace Ceremony
Update: 02/03/2018
Spring, with young buds and blooming, is the season of love, hope, wish and dream. Spring air makes people opener, more tolerant and pleasant. From that point of view, at new year, Hoang Phap Sangha holds the praying ceremony to pay homage to Triratna and pray for a happy, healthy, lucky and prosperous new year. This is the opportunity for everyone to do good deeds, avoid evils and repent of all the mistakes in the past.In solemn air of new year, with the witness and blessings from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in ten directions, people sincerely pray and volunteer to do many good activities as releasing captured creatures, offering donations… and then dedicate all merits and virtues to benefit all sentient beings. May all have the best in this new year.
At 9:00 am, it is the welcome rite to attending clergy people. Before the main course, Senior Venerable Thich Chan Tinh, Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, delivers Dhamma talk to the mass.
Although being governed by rule of impermanence, every dhamma in this world is unique with its own features. In Mau Tuat year, the year of dog, the Abbot talked about its good characteristics as: loyalty, sentiment, faith, cleverness; braveness; sensitive senses ... Dog is close friend of human beings. People keep them for varied purposes as being pet/friend, watch, transportation, herding, guiding; security; fighting, patrol; intelligence, ...
Then he tells three stories in Majjhima – Nikàya, Madhyamàgama andDhammapada Sutra.
The first story is extracted from Majjhima – Nikàya regardingSubha-mànava Todeyyaputta’s father who did a lot of good deeds and donation in his life with conceited and stingy mind. As a result, he is reincarnated in the form of a dog.
The second story is about two religious men following the features of dog and cow in practicing. When meeting with Buddha, they asked about the merits and relevant reincarnation of those cultivations. Buddha said that following activities of animal will give reincarnation in the realm of animal or hell.
The third story is from Dhammapada sutra regarding a woman thrown into the sea with a sandbag tied in her neck because she did the same with a dog in a previous life.Those stories are the proof of cause and effect rule and worth for us to contemplate/apply into daily life for happiness, ease and bliss in present and future.
The ceremony keeps on with offering incense and praying for peace rites. Everyone wholeheartedly chants and prays for a peaceful year. May people acknowledge Triratna the firm shelter to take refuge in, follow Buddha’s teachings to generate ease in life, happiness in the community and peace in the world.
Besides, the program has contribution from singers: Thanh Ngoc, Quang Ha, Ngoc Mai with songs Canh Mai Vua No, Chuc Xuan, Vui Trong Anh Dao relatively.
In the event, Hoang Phap ashram presents “Tang Pham Xuan” to every participant.
Following are recorded photographs:
BBT Website