Ven. Thích Trừng Sỹ Pháp Nhãn Temple
NEW YEAR CHANTING RITUAL
COMPILED BY PHÁP NHÃN TEMPLE
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma SamBuddhassa
(3 times, O)
Respectfully pay homage to the Buddha: The World-Honored One, the Worthy One, the Exalted One, the Fully Awakened and Enlightened One. Namo Buddhaya.
Respectfully pay homage to the wonderful Dharma of the Buddha, the path of practice leaning us to peace, joy, happiness, understanding, and love for the many right in the present life. Namo Dharmaya.
Respectfully pay homage to the harmonious and peaceful Sangha of the Buddha, the Community of cultivated people who vow to live their lives of virtue, meditation, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge and vision of liberation to benefit themselves and all sentient beings, right here and right now in this very life. Namo Sanghaya. O
Incense offering
The old year now is about to end,
At this sacred hour, we welcome Tết, the Lunar New Year.
With sincere hearts, offerings we make,
To Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in all ten realms’ space.
In boundless compassion, please witness and protect.
The old year has passed, the New Year has arrived
We are present with sincere hearts
Bowing our heads to pay homage to the Triple Gem
Praying for peace and happiness for all sentient beings.
Today, the old year has passed,
We gather together in the peaceful Dharma Hall.
With sincere hearts, we pay homage to the Buddha and light incense,
Toward the Triple Gem we offer with our infinite respect.
The New Year has come, all are at peace.
May the world of sentient beings
Be permeated with the Buddha’s Dharma, and all be harmonious and peaceful.
Now, on New Year’s Eve, we, the Buddhist devotees, kneel before the Buddha, sincerely offering incense to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, the virtuous and holy Sangha, and the Dharma-protecting devas, asking them to witness our heartfelt reverence.
Namo Homage to the Future Maitreya Buddha.
(3 times, O)
Praising the Buddha
Its radiant light illuminates all directions.
Wisdom transcends the bounds of all Dharma realms,
Loving-kindness and compassion pervade mountains and rivers.
Beholding the serene and perfect countenance of the World-Honored One,
With a heart of devotion, I offer my deepest reverence.
Turning my mind to praise the Triple Gem,
I diligently cultivate the path of awakening to fulfillment.
Namo The Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddhaya.
(3 times, O)
The Fully Awakened and Enlightened One;
Bearing virtuous, noble, and auspicious marks,
With perfect wisdom and boundless compassion.
Leading all beings beyond the realm of delusion;
Bringing us back to true home,
In order to live a life of awakening.
We, disciples of Gautama Buddha, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Dharma, ever present in the three times and the ten directions. (One prostration, O)
Walks together on the joyful path;
Cultivating to be freed from all defilements,
To bring peace and joy to life.
On the path of Dharma learning,
Realizing the Triple Gem within our own mind,
Vowing to cultivate diligently,
To illuminate the heart with the light of the Triple Gem.
We, disciples of Gautama Buddha, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Sangha, ever present in the three times and the ten directions. (One prostration, O)
Open Verse
The Dharma is deep and lovely,
Now we have a chance
to see, study, and to practice,
we vow to realize its true meaning.
Namo The Fully Enlightened Buddhaya.
(3 times, O)
Discourse on spreading Loving-kindness and Compassion daily to all Directions
(Metta & Pubbaṇha Sutta)
May I be free from enmity, illness, grief, and suffering.
May I take care of myself happily, freely, and calmly.
May they be free from enmity, illness, grief, and suffering.
May they take care of themselves happily, freely, and calmly.
May all beings in the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest be safe, well, happy, and peaceful.
May they be free from enmity, illness, grief, and suffering.
May they take care of themselves happily, freely, and calmly.
May they be free from enmity, illness, grief, and suffering.
May they take care of themselves happily, freely, and calmly.
May they be free from enmity, illness, grief, and suffering.
May they take care of themselves happily, freely, and calmly. O
May my Parents, siblings, children, relatives, and lineages be free from enmity to one another, from both physical and mental suffering, and may their bodies and minds always be peaceful.
May my Teachers, sisters, and brothers in the Dharma be free from enmity to one another, from both physical and mental suffering, and may their bodies and minds always be peaceful.
May my disciples, students, fellow practitioners, colleagues, friends, and intellectuals be free from enmity to one another, from both physical and mental suffering, and may their bodies and minds always be peaceful.
May all donors, benefactors, and living beings on earth be free from enmity to one another, from both physical and mental suffering, and may their bodies and minds always be peaceful.
Namo The Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddhaya.
(3 times, O)
MAHA MANGALA SUTTA [1]
Discourse on the Greatest Happiness
Thus have I heard. On one occasion the World-Honored One was living in the vicinity of Savatthi at the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove. Late at night, a deva appeared and visited the Buddha. The deva’s light and beauty made the whole Jeta Grove shine radiantly.
After paying respects to the Buddha, the deva asked him a question in the form of a versa: Many gods and human beings are eager to know what are the greatest happiness which bring about a peaceful and happy life?
Please, Tathagata, will you teach us?
These are the Buddha’s teachings. O
1. Keeping far away from evil and bad people,
Always staying close to noble and virtuous people,
Honoring those who are worthy of honor—
This is the greatest happiness.
2. Knowing how to choose a wholesome environment,
Doing wholesome deeds,
Walking on the path of true goodness—
This is the greatest happiness.
3. Diligently learning wholesome occupations
Knowing how to lead a virtuous life
Knowing how to speak with loving speech—
This is the greatest happiness.
4. Knowing how to support and serve one’s parents,
Loving to care for one’s family,
Knowing how to perform a proper occupation—
This is the greatest happiness.
5. Living happily through almsgiving,
Helping relatives and friends,
Treating them with fairness and integrity—
This is the greatest happiness.
6. Avoiding all evil,
Not being intoxicated or addicted,
Diligently performing good deeds—
This is the greatest happiness.
7. Knowing how to be humble and polite,
Learning to appreciate wholesome things,
Being contented and grateful—
This is the greatest happiness.
8. Knowing how to improve oneself and persevere,
Keeping company with talented and virtuous people,
Diligently studying and practicing the Dharma together—
This is the greatest happiness.
9. Living diligently and cultivating awakening,
Realizing the Noble Truths,
Enjoying the joy of Dharma—
This is the greatest happiness.
10. Living in the world,
With a mind unshaken,
Easily ending defilements—
This is the greatest happiness.
Those who accomplish this,
Wherever they go, they are safe,
Wherever they arrive, they are stable,
Bringing happiness to themselves
and happiness to others.
Namo The Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddhaya.
(3 times, O)
NEW YEAR GATHAS CHANTING
On the First Day of Tết, Maitreya is born,
The Buddha Maitreya is perfectly serene and peaceful.
In joyful form, He manifests as a Bodhisattva,
With sincere hearts, we offer our prayers.
.
On this first day of the new year, the birth of Maitreya is celebrated,
With many virtuous deeds and a peaceful heart,
We respectfully offer our prayers to the Buddha,
Praying for peace and well-being for all sentient beings.
.
The new spring brings fresh colors to life,
Young and old rejoice with cheerful smiles.
Everyone, every home cultivates the Dharma,
Welcoming the New Year with peace and joy.
.
Abiding in faith within the True Dharma,
The practitioner smiles with ease and calm.
Steadfast and relaxed in spiritual practice,
Welcoming the present Spring in the present moment—this is joy.
.
Spring light shines upon all beings,
Granting the young ones a life of peace.
For our homeland to be ever joyful,
In city and village, may there be peace and harmony.
.
Today, spring comes—flower buds bloom;
Tomorrow, spring leaves—those blooms fall.
A human life is but a fleeting dream;
Let go of strife, and live in gentle peace.
.
Spring arrives, whispering a silent prophecy,
As it softly bids farewell to winter passing,
All phenomena are impermanent, forever in flux,
Only the Inner Spring remains endlessly beautiful.
.
Spring returns across the homeland,
Bringing happiness and peace to homes and to all.
The Inner Spring shines everywhere,
Illuminating life with Dharma’s light, bringing more Spring.
.
Joyful Spring brings eternal blessings,
Practicing the Dharma with a devoted mind.
We bow with reverence and homage,
Spreading the boundless love of the Compassionate One.
.
Tathagata Spring is present within us,
Through virtuous practice and vows to save all beings
Propagating the Dharma everywhere without hindrance,
Bringing joy and peace to all homes.
.
Today we gather here,
Diligently practicing in peaceful months and days.
With sincere and heartfelt reverence,
May the Buddha bless our compassionate hearts.
.
The New Year has arrived, my heart is at peace,
This year, all things have passed away.
Ever diligent in Dharma learning and practice,
Spreading love and compassion to all beings.
.
The Noble Eightfold Path is profoundly deep,
We diligently practice with single-mindedness,
Always remembering the Buddha’s teachings,
We apply them with sincere hearts.
.
This year we welcome Tết in peaceful ease,
Rejoicing in a Spring of happiness, present here and now.
Today we come to the temple, offering homage to the Buddha,
Praying for peace to spread across every land.
.
Receiving gifts during Tết is so joyful,
Spring arrives, bringing smiles and laughter.
The path of wisdom and compassion always progresses,
Bringing joy to the world, making it truly bright and beautiful.
.
Happy New Year, may blessings last forever,
Welcoming Spring, with its wondrous virtues.
May the path of the true Dharma always flourish,
Bringing peace and joy to the whole world.
.
Tết arrives everywhere in peaceful ease,
Spring returns, bringing calm and peace to all lands.
The Noble Eightfold Path we always practice,
Bringing boundless love to all.
.
Spring arrives, virtue spreads its fragrant blooms,
Spring departs, compassion permeates peace and harmony,
Spring carries the meaning of the Buddha’s Dharma,
Spring sends love to all households.
.
Happy New Year, may all things be harmonious,
The Boat of Prajna blossoms like a lotus.
Compassion and wisdom ever shine brightly,
Love and understanding spread far and wide.
.
Wishing you a New Year full of compassion and kindness,
May your mind and body be peaceful and truly serene,
May you dedicate yourself to serving the Three Jewels,
Benefiting yourself, others, and all sentient beings.
.
Happy New Year, may all things be harmonious,
The Boat of Prajna spreads widely and far,
Loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity ever shine brightly,
Bringing happiness to all households.
.
The Buddha’s gate of compassion reaches all beings,
The light of Spring Wisdom shines everywhere.
Those who dwell in a selfless mind,
Realize true enlightenment, smiling peacefully.
.
Living in accordance with the right Dharma brings true peace,
Afflictions are swiftly transformed,
Body and mind are cultivated in the Buddha’s Dharma,
Clearly understanding impermanence all around us.
.
Spring arrives, the Buddha’s Dharma is truly sublime,
Tết comes, the Sangha lives in sweet harmony,
Those who practice show a serene heart,
So steadfast, peaceful, and beautiful!
.
Joyfully welcoming the arrival of Spring is truly happy,
Cultivating blessings and good deeds everywhere,
Protecting the Three Jewels with a selfless heart,
Building bonds of Dharma friendship right here.
.
Making offerings during Tết is truly joyful,
Children and grandchildren exchange smiles,
The reunited family is ever happy,
Their compassionate faces shine so brightly.
.
Spring flowers bloom in full on the lotus throne,
The path of practice shines so bright today,
Afflictions are transformed in this very moment,
Body and mind find peace in the present now.
.
The Temple gate welcomes visitors from all directions,
The Zen gate opens a wide and spacious path,
Diligently practicing reaches the Pure Land,
Attaining true happiness and Nirvana right here.
(3 times, O)
MAY THE DAY BE WELL
May the day be well and the night be well.
The day and night whose six times are auspicious.
All the periods are peaceful.
May the Buddha and Bodhisattva bless and protect us.
The countenance of the World-Honored One,
like the full moon or like the orb of the sun, shines with the light of clarity.
A halo of wisdom spreads in every direction,
enveloping all with love and compassion, joy and equanimity.
Namo the Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddhaya.
(3 times, O)
Practice something wholesome daily [2]
In the morning, say something wholesome,
in the afternoon, say something wholesome,
in the evening, say something wholesome,
we have a joyful day and night.
In the morning, think about something wholesome,
in the afternoon, think about something wholesome,
in the evening, think about something wholesome,
we have a joyful day and night.
In the morning, do something wholesome,
in the afternoon, do something wholesome,
in the evening, do something wholesome,
we have a joyful day and night,
we have a joyful year and life.
Namo Compassion Father Buddhaya. (3 times, O)
Four Great Vows of Bodhisattvas
Sentient beings are immeasurable, I vow to save them all.
Defilements are endless, I vow to end them all.
The Buddha’s teachings are boundless, I vow to practice and cultivate them all.
The Buddha’s way is supreme, I vow to attain perfect Buddhahood.
Namo Compassion Mother Buddhaya.
(3 times, O)
Dedication of Merit
Today we celebrate the New Year,
May peace and happiness be present now,
May enlightenment and wisdom ever shine brightly,
And may peace prevail throughout all lands.
.
Happy New Year, may joy and peace abound,
Compassion broadens paths the world around.
Contributing to spreading the Buddha’s Dharma
Bringing blessings everywhere, near and far.
.
As Tết arrives with peace and prosperity,
We cultivate the Dharma immeasurably.
Contributing to prayers for the whole world,
For peace, happiness, and love.
.
In the New Year, we practice the Dharma,
Breathing in and out deeply,
Sustaining mindful breathing,
Revealing countless wondrous miracles.
.
We practice the Dharma together,
Awakening the Buddha-nature within our hearts,
Turning to praise the Buddha’s Dharma,
Compassion and wisdom become perfect.
.
Throughout cities and countryside,
The world prospers and endures,
Everyone follows Buddhism,
And the whole world reveres the Buddha.
.
Families have enough food and warm clothes,
Everyone is happy and peaceful,
Society is prosperous and tranquil,
All people enjoy freedom and equality.
.
In the new year, we make this vow:
To cultivate virtue today,
To manifest compassion and wisdom,
Bringing benefit and peace day by day.
.
We, Buddhist followers, solemnly vow:
To cultivate a life of merit and virtue,
To attain the ultimate enlightenment of Buddhahood,
And to achieve perfect self-benefit and benefit for others. O
Express diligent vows and pay thankful respects to the Triple Gem
We, disciples of Gautama Buddha, are always aware of ourselves by day and by night, constantly practice and recollect the light of the Buddha. Namo Buddhaya. (One prostration, O)
We, disciples of Gautama Buddha, are always aware of ourselves by day and by night, constantly practice and recollect the light of the Dharma. Namo Dharmaya. (One prostration, O)
We, disciples of Gautama Buddha, are always aware of ourselves by day and by night, constantly practice and recollect the light of the Sangha. Namo Sanghaya. (One prostration, O)
May we be well,
May we be happy
May we be peaceful
May we be healthy
May we be free from suffering, greed, anger, delusion, hatred, violence, ignorance, wrong view, etc.
May the Buddha and Bodhisattvas bless and protect all anytime and anywhere.
Bodhi, the wonderful Dharma of the Buddha shines noble and solemn.
Wherever we dwell firmly in Dharma learning, Dharma practice, Dharma understanding, and Dharma joy, there we are ever happy and peaceful. O
Sharing the Merit
May the merit of today’s cultivation
Be dedicated to all living beings.
May we and all beings
realize the Buddha Way together.
Sadhu, lành thay, well-done, and excellence.
Sadhu, lành thay, well-done, and excellence.
Namo Buddhaya. Namo Dharmaya. Namo Sanghaya.
OOO
.
[2] Sutta Nipāta (Sn 2.4)
[2] Anguttara Nikaya – Numerical discourses of the Buddha. III. The Chapter of the Threes (Tikanipata). XV. The Auspicious Chapter. 150. Good Mornings. 41. Happy Days.
