Praying for Peace at the Beginning of the Year: Why Does Praying for Others Bring Us Blessings from Merit?

On the full moon of the first lunar month, Vietnamese people often say, "Pilgrimages throughout the year do not compare to the full moon of January." But have you ever wondered where this custom originates and what it signifies in Buddhism? In his dharma talk titled "Praying for Peace at the Beginning of the Year," Venerable Thich Chan Quang shares a deep and humane perspective on this practice, helping us understand it correctly so we may practice it rightly.

Is the Full Moon of January a Custom or a Doctrine?

Venerable Chan Quang begins his talk by analyzing this familiar saying of our ancestors. According to him, the tradition of visiting pagodas on the full moon of the first lunar month does not stem from Buddhist scriptures but is rather a traditional cultural trait of the Vietnamese people. He explains that he has searched through the sutras and found no such origin. Therefore, this viewpoint belongs to Vietnamese culture specifically, rather than to the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) itself.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes that this occasion is an excellent opportunity for people to gather and direct their minds toward goodness. The Phat Quang Pagoda, where he resides, does not organize rituals for worshipping stars to ward off bad luck. However, they still hold a general ceremony for praying for peace for all Buddhist followers.

Worshipping Stars to Ward Off Bad Luck: The Anxiety of the New Year

In the atmosphere of the new year, many people worry about their fate and seek services to worship stars in order to "remove bad luck." Venerable Chan Quang views this phenomenon from a psychological perspective. He reflects that there is something appealing about these practices because when entering a new year, individuals naturally feel anxious.

This anxiety is real. However, instead of relying on fortune tellers or star-worshipping rituals, Buddhists should return to take refuge in the Three Jewels and practice the true Dharma. Sincere prayers offered before the Buddha statue are the proper way to resolve inner unrest.

The Power of Blessings from Virtuous People

Venerable Chan Quang shares an interesting insight: the well-wishes of those with great moral integrity possess real power, much like a mantra. Yet, few people encounter such enlightened beings. Therefore, coming to the pagoda to pay respects to the Buddha is a way to receive positive energy from the Buddhas.

He notes that when devotees visit places of faith, they hope to receive blessings from practitioners who possess high virtue. These blessings truly manifest; they are not empty promises. A mind filled with reverence, even if only expressed through a simple bow to the Buddha at the start of the year, is itself an auspicious sign.

Praying for Peace: Both Small and Great

A special aspect of Venerable Chan Quang’s teaching is the purpose of praying for peace. We should not limit our wishes to ourselves but expand our aspirations to include our community, our nation, and the world.

He explains that our prayer for peace is both small and large. It is small when directed toward our individual selves. It becomes large when extended to the communities around us.

He clarifies further: the mind that prays for the surrounding community transforms into virtue and merit. If one constantly prays only for oneself, one gradually diminishes their own merit. This is a deeply human lesson: the more altruistic we are, the more blessings from merit we receive.

From Reverence for the Buddha to Attainment on the Path

In the latter part of his talk, Venerable Chan Quang discusses the importance of reverence for the Buddha on the path of cultivation. He states that our current respect for the Buddha serves as the cause for attaining the fruit of Stream-Entry.

Those who possess sincere reverence for the Buddha will be guided step by step, moving from the state of ordinary beings to the attainment of sainthood.

Buddhism and the Nation

Finally, the teacher speaks of the close relationship between Buddhism and the Vietnamese nation. He notes that the beauty of Buddhism lies in its lack of ambition to promote its own religion exclusively. Instead, it seeks only to offer beautiful truths to everyone.

From the Ly and Tran dynasties to the present day, Buddhism has walked alongside the country, contributing to the construction of national cultural identity. The choice of the lotus flower as the national flower also reflects this spirit.

Let us begin the new year with a sincere prayer. May we pray for world peace, for the prosperity of our country, for the happiness of our families, and for each person to gain more wisdom and compassion. Wishing you all a peaceful and happy new year.