On December 31st, 2025, we gathered to embrace the transition into the New Year with a spirit of merit and tranquility. Our Peaceful Holiday Special was a beautiful success, bringing together friends and meditaros for moments of profound reflection.
Throughout the afternoon, guests participated in:
- Sacred Pali Chanting: Receiving traditional blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
- The Light Ceremony: Creating a collective vision of world peace through the symbolic lighting of candles.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their time and positive energy with us. May the peace cultivated during this ceremony stay with you throughout the coming year. Happy New Year 2026!
Event Details: New Year Blessings Chanting (31 December 2025)
We are gathering for the New Year Blessings chanting, during which we will chantthe Itipiso chant for 108 recitations. This sacred practice aims to invite auspiciousness, dispel negativity, and foster a peaceful environment as we transition into the New Year. The sacred threads will also be present as symbols of blessings.
Understanding the Itipiso Chant
Meaning and Significance
- Recognition of the Blessed One: Acknowledges the enlightenment of the Buddha and emphasizes our potential for awakening.
- Virtues of Knowledge and Conduct: Encourages ethical living and the pursuit of wisdom.
- Guidance for Learning: Highlights the importance of learning from those who impart wisdom.
Benefits of Chanting
- Focus & Clarity: Chanting serves as a form of sound meditation, providing stress relief and present-moment awareness.
- Inspiration for Inner Growth: Reflecting on the qualities described encourages personal development towards kindness, wisdom, and self-discipline.
- Universal Virtues: The core values of compassion and mindfulness are accessible to all, regardless of faith.
Participation Guidelines for Inner Peace
- Slow Chanting or Deep Listening: Engage in the rhythm and vibrations of the Pali words through either chanting or attentive listening.
- Reflect: Contemplate the qualities within the chant, aspiring to embody calmness, wisdom, and kindness.
- Light Candles: After every 9 rounds of chanting, we will light 9 candles as symbols of peace. (As in Thai culture, ‘9’ is a lucky number.) 😊 🕯️
The Itipiso Chant (Phonetic Pali & Meaning)
Itipi so bhagava araham samma-sambuddho,
He is a Blessed One, a Worthy One, a Rightly Self-awakened One,
Vijja-carana-sampano sugato lokavidu,
Consummate in knowledge & conduct, one who has gone the good way, knower of the cosmos,
Anuttaro purisa-damma-sarathi
sattha deva-manussanam buddho bhagavati.
Unexcelled trainer of those who can be taught, teacher of human & divine beings; awakened; blessed.
Savakkhato bhagavata Dhammo,
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Sanditthiko akaliko ehipassiko,
To be seen here & now, timeless, inviting all to come & see,
Opeanyayiko paccattaaam veditabbo vinnuhiti.
Leading inward, to be seen by the wise for themselves.
Supatipanno bhagavato savaka-Sangho,
The Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced well,
Uju-patipanno bhagavato savaka-Sangho,
who have practiced straightforwardly
Yaya-patipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho,
who have practiced insightfully,
Samici-patipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho,
who have practiced masterfully,
Yadidam cattari purisa-yugani attha purisa-puggaala:
Namely, the four pairs, the eight types of Noble Ones:
Esa bhagavato savaka-Sangho-
That is the Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples-
Ahuneyyo pahuneyyo dakkhineyyo anjali-karaniyo,
Worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect,
Anutaram punnakkhettam lokassati.
The incomparable field of merit for the world.
As we come together for this sacred practice, let’s embrace the blessings of the new year. Your participation creates a collective atmosphere of tranquility and goodwill.
