New Year’s Wishes from “Buddha’s Way” in Odenwald
Come New Year’s Eve, we, the monks and nuns of Pagoda Phat Hue, all participants of the winter retreat, and all inhabitants of Buddha’s Way Retreat Center, found ourselves in a large circle in the Buddha Hall. In the middle stood a Buddha statue surrounded by flowers, candles and decorations. The atmosphere of the Buddha Hall was marked by reflection and tranquility, as that was how we decided to experience the coming of the new year.
First, we meditated together, and then divided into smaller groups - we were close to 50 people. In the smaller groups, each person shared their funniest, favorite or most significant event of the last year. They remembered the beautiful encounters, the deep and touching conversations, and small moments of great happiness. Although the person speaking could not experience the moment again, they could experience the joy and laughter of his or her audience. After this, our hearts joined as we participated in a traditional Asian tea ceremony.
Many of you probably already know that a tea ceremony gives space for people to come in contact in a special, open and honest way. You meet each other in deep respect, profound gratitude, and with an open heart. You give your counterpart a cup of tea, bowing low to the person, touching your feet, legs, arms, elbows, hands and forehead to the ground. The receiver opens his hands, ready to receive the love and openness of the person closing their hands, who reopens them with love and benevolence.
Then, comes the time to express what is not possible to express in normal everyday conversation - the deepest and most honest gratitude, repentance, kindness, and wishes for the future. These are things that we take for granted in everyday life, and the states are difficult to express in words. The frame of the tea ceremony, the honest form of the bow, and the pouring of the tea, open our hearts to the words that we normally find difficult to let naturally flow from our mouths.
During a 2 hour stretch, on New Year’s Eve, we had the possibility to give such words, touching moments, and intimacy to our friends, loved ones, and fellow sentient beings. To come in contact with one another in a deep way. It was a wonderful evening, and all those present took advantage of the rare opportunity, which may present itself only two or three times a year.
Finally, we acknowledged ourselves, all together, holding hands, in a big circle. Equal rights, without distinction, and we sent out the positive achievements of the retreat into the evening’s night. And to all those who were about to celebrate the New Year around the world, too. To all those who live in poor conditions, who suffer, and who are not influenced by love, who are not bestowed with such happiness and privilege as us. And then, Thay Hue Nghi had the opportunity to express wishes for the New Year, 2010. Remember the wishes, because we want to share them with all of you, and wish you to share them with all other sentient beings…
May all sentient beings be happy.
May all humans take some of the wholesome energy accumulated in 2009 into the new year, 2010.
May we have a lot of power in the new year.
May we learn that it is possible to live together without distinction - in harmony and openness. For here, we are one circle, and have made this possible.
I did not get to pour tea to everyone tonight. That is why I now wish everyone good health, strength and joy for the new year.
May we develop respect for ourselves and for everything around us.
May we develop loving-kindness for ourselves and cultivate it in this world.
May all people make space for themselves - inside and outside.
May we all be able to cherish the beautiful moments of life and our time together with our loved ones.
I wish everyone a happy new year, 2010.
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