Here are some aspects you can consider when approaching the new year:

1. Cleaning as a Form of Purification
   Before Chinese New Year, people spring clean their homes and offices to sweep away past negativities and to usher in auspicious new conditions for the new year. Our homes and living spaces are also a mandala for us to take care of. Buddha has taught that “cleaning our places of practice creates the cause for a clear mind in oneself”. Hence, cleaning these places are a great way of purification, to have a clear mind, and to accumulate merits.
   
   

2. Illuminate the Year with Light
   To usher in the new year with positivity, one can engage in the practice of making light offerings. This can take the form of butter lamps, vibrant lanterns, and other lights of veneration in the temple. By illuminating the world with lights, it signifies the dispelling of darkness of ignorance and the dawning of wisdom and hope.
   
   

3. Engage in Merit-making Activities
   Merit-making activities play a crucial role in celebrating Chinese New Year with meaning. Chinese New Year has many auspicious days such as Maitreya Buddha’s birthday, Lord Indra’s birthday, and Lantern Festival. There will be extensive prayers and offerings at the temple on these days. Take this opportunity to create abundant merits on these auspicious days by attending the Sutra recitations or making offerings to Buddha.
   
   

4. Practising Generosity and Kindness
   Chinese New Year presents a great opportunity to practice generosity and kindness for others. This can be expressed through the tradition of giving ang paos (red packets), gifts, or even a simple smile and greeting to others. Don’t underestimate the power of saying simple greetings like “Gong Xi Fa Cai” to someone. Wishing others and expressing good fortune, health, and happiness is a way to practice generosity and kindness too!
   
   

5. Cultivating a New Mindset
   Fostering a new mindset is crucial as attitudes, beliefs, and mindsets are akin to seeds planted in our minds. As the new year unfolds, individuals are encouraged to ask themselves, "What kind of seeds have I planted in my mind?" and “What kind of new seeds do I want to plant for this next year?”. The answer can come from personal reflections, guidance from our Guru, or from attending Dharma teachings. To have inspiration for how to cultivate this new mindset, do attend our first Dharma teaching of Chinese New Year called, “The Heart of Rejoicing” at the temple on the sixth day of Chinese New Year!
   
   

6. Making Virtuous Aspirations
   Chinese New Year is a time when people make wishes for the new year at the temple. Firstly, planning and setting goals for the new year will help one to have clarity in the aspirations that we seek for in the upcoming year. Secondly, seeking divine help and support for these plans to actualise in the future is vital for our aspirations to be successful. Set virtuous motivations that these aspirations will benefit self and others. This aligns your being with Buddha’s heart, bolstering the connection that we have with Buddha in actualising these wishes.
   
   

7. Grateful and Rejoicing Heart
   Have gratitude for what we have and rejoice for the successes of other people. Practice gratitude for having survived the past year and being alive in this present day for Chinese New Year. The various festivities and gatherings that we have is something that we can be grateful for. Seeing different people’s successes is also having a rejoicing heart and being happy for others.
   
   

8. Offering of the Senses
   During Chinese New Year, there will be a lot of celebratory performances, such as the lion dance, as well as many gatherings with an abundance of delicious food and beautiful decorations. One can offer these sights of beauty, festivity, and delectable tastes to Buddha. By offering our physical senses, this will provide an antidote to our attachment to these sense pleasures. Offering these sensorial things are also a great way to accumulate merits in our daily lives. We also hope that by offering these senses, all beings will also have the same causes for having the same happiness and abundance, and to have a joyful heart.
   
   

9. Acts of Compassion and Kindness
   Incorporating acts of compassion aligns closely with the principles of Dharma. How would you like to expand your capacity to give? During the Chinese New Year, extend kindness to others through charitable deeds, volunteering, or even simple acts of generosity. Embrace the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those around you, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and compassion.
   
   

As Chinese New Year comes, the celebration takes on a deeper and more transformative dimension when infused with dharma essence. By incorporating spiritual practices, individuals can embark on a journey of auspiciousness and joy, creating a harmonious start to the Year of the Dragon.

If you are looking for meaningful activities, Thekchen Choling is a place that welcomes individuals seeking to participate in prayers and courses to deepen your spiritual life. May this Lunar New Year be filled with light, wisdom, and the boundless potential for positive transformation!

Check out our Chinese New Year festivities here.