A New Year Letter

[plwk]

New Year is a time when people all over the world look
forward to the coming year with hope and anticipation.
It is universally seen as a time to celebrate.
But from a Dharma perspective, what is celebration?
More here

[Punya]

Thank you plwk. It would be good to post a collection of 2014 messages from different teachers in this thread so we can read them all and be inspired.

[yegyal]

New Year’s Prayer 2014

As I have encountered the Dharma in this life,
And from time to time been interested in practising it,
I must have accumulated some merit during my past lives.

Throughout this life I have admired, been inspired by,
And, on occasion, had the courage to emulate my master,
So I must have gathered a little more merit.

Though shallow, my trust in the Three Jewels is absolute,
And I am convinced that they alone will not mislead me –
Surely a sign of their unfailing blessings.

From time to time I am moved
By the teachings of the Buddha and his followers,
Which must mean that, at some point, I’ve done something right.

Now and then, when required to make an offering,
I feel ashamed of my own miserliness,
And so the Dharma must have entered my mind to some extent.

As, once in a blue moon,
I catch myself trying to impress others,
My random condemnation of ego must have had some effect.

Although the feeling is rare and short-lived,
I have empathized with those who are destitute,
So, however seldom, I must have some heart.

By the power of all this merit and virtue,
May I not attain enlightenment
Until every other sentient being has reached enlightenment before me.

By the power of the merit of not wanting enlightenment
Ahead of all other suffering beings,
May I not become enlightened
Until everyone else has reached enlightenment before me.

—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, Bartsham, December 31, 2013

[muni]

New Year is a time when people all over the world look
forward to the coming year with hope and anticipation.
It is universally seen as a time to celebrate.
But from a Dharma perspective, what is celebration?
More here

"But the true nature of celebration is our basic goodness. And that never ceases or exhausts".

Thank you for the contemplation.

[Kim O'Hara]

Dalai Lama (on FB)

Today, as we wish each other a Happy New Year, let us determine to be more sincere, compassionate, warm-hearted human beings, trying to make our world a more equal place. That way we'll actually make it a happy year.

Kim

[muni]

Many thanks for the teaching Dzongsar Rinpoche and H H Dalai Lama.