Welcoming the Year of the Snake 2025 on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is a sacred turning point, the transition from the last day of the old year to the very first of the new year. It is a cherished moment in Eastern culture, and for the Vietnamese people in particular, it is among the most important traditional celebrations.

 

The Spring Festival is a time when families gather joyfully in reunion. For disciples of the Buddha and those with faith in Buddhism, it is also the time to turn toward spiritual refuge at the temples. With dignity and reverence, people come in their finest clothing before the Buddha, to pray for peace and harmony, for wisdom and clarity, for prosperity and success, and for safety in every home. This beautiful custom has been preserved and handed down through countless generations.

 

On this sacred night, lanterns shine brightly, apricot and peach blossoms shimmer, and the flowing crowds add to the vibrant spirit of spring at Hoang Phap Monastery. At the solemn moment of transition, before the Buddha’s altar, fragrant incense filled the air as disciples expressed their gratitude. On behalf of both the monastic and lay communities, Venerable Thich Tam Truong, Abbot of Hoang Phap, respectfully offered New Year’s greetings to the Most Venerable Master.

 

In the serene and solemn space, the Most Venerable shared words of counsel, encouraging the assembly in their practice.

 

A year has passed with many ups and downs, mingling both sorrow and joy. Yet all has gone by. Together, we step forward with time into a future full of happiness, success, and blessings. To realize such aspirations, each of us must diligently cultivate and nurture understanding and compassion. For Buddhists especially, it is vital to study the teachings sincerely, to practice the Buddha’s words, and to seek guidance from wise teachers, so that we may clearly understand karma and blessings, do good, and avoid evil. Only then can we safeguard the goodness of our hearts, remain unmoved by afflictions, and avoid being swept into gossip and wrongdoing. In this way, we gradually refine our character and move toward awakening and liberation.

 

“Blessings arise naturally through the power of merit.” Thus, alongside our noble wishes at the New Year, there must also be the daily practice of goodness so that each of us may lay bricks of peace, building a future of happiness and safety for ourselves.

 

On the eve of the New Year, the Most Venerable extended his wishes to the Sangha, Buddhist practitioners, honored guests, and their families for good health, peace of body and mind, unwavering faith, and steady progress on the path of practice. In the boundless joy of these first moments of the New Year, all devout Buddhist followers in attendance one by one received New Year’s blessings and spring gifts from the Most Venerable and the venerable monks of the monastery.

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Translated into English by Thai Nhuoc Don