Kuching Buddhist Society to celebrate New Year Puja

KUCHING: The English section of Kuching Buddhist Society will celebrate New Year Puja on the third f loor of their Sakyamuni Buddha Vihara building ( new block above restaurant) at 11am on Jan 1, next year

With the theme ‘ New Vision New Hope’, the gathering welcomes the new year with confidence, farsightedness, growth, new hope and renewal.

The Buddhaa said: The first day of the year is most meaningful and auspicious to reaffirm and imbue our minds in the sublime Dhamma for a peaceful, smooth, joyous and spiritual life. In the Dhammapada, mind is foremost, mind is the forerunner of all things.

“Let us also joyously receive the blessings of the Triple Gem and have good wishes for our loved ones, relatives, friends and foes alike. Let’s pray for love, understanding and peace with those in regions of strife and disasters.

“Let us affirm ourselves in the four Brahma Vihara, the sublime attitudes of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity, with the immense merits beneficial to our treading of the Path and to all beings,” a press statement from the society stated.

The Puja will be significant in the light offering, central to all offerings in that the benefits are great.

As such, opportunities are available to all as there’s no fixed amount or the number of lamps offered in loved ones’ and friends’ name.

Oranges, blessed water and other offerings will be distributed to all. Complimentary lunch will be offered at the restaurant downstairs, after the Puja.

The chairperson, Chan Hui Tat, said in view of current challenging time, the society’s English section is repositioning itself to avail various programmes to address difficulties, issues encountered by people and to promote spiritual development.

He also welcomes all suggestions towards the realisation of these objectives.