A Prayer for the New Year

by Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

A new year has finally come to the world again.

At the beginning of the new year, I will look upon

Everything in the past as a yesterday that has passed away,

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 inmoral 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 emancipation 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 most people and beneficial to the masses;

That every intention I have may be 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;

That I may be willing to contribute my own body and mind to society;

That I may 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!

Promoting Dharma is my domestic duty,

Benefiting all living beings is my professional responsibility.

I vow to support Buddhist institutions that cultivate potential;

I vow to disseminate Buddhist sutras and books

That benefit the world and help people;

I vow to participate in the activities of temples

And spare no effort to practice Dharma;

With determination.

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 surmount the barriers of delusion on the way to Buddhahood,

And to benefit both self and others.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

A new spirit infuses the new year;

Allow me to start everything anew!

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

Allow me to start everything anew!