The Lunar New Year, held in April, is an ancient annual festival for Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan, Laotian, Cambodian, Nepalese, and Indian people. On this occasion, which falls on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April, various cultural and religious celebrations are held to mark the New Year. For Buddhists, this is also the time to make merits in dedication to the departed relatives and to ask for forgiveness and blessings from parents, grandparents, and elders.
To celebrate the occasion this year, the Oxford Buddha Vihara will be holding a merit-making and blessing ceremony for the Buddhist community at Tingewick Hall.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you, together with your family and friends, to join us in starting off the New Year with merits and blessings. You may contribute food for the monks, which will be shared among the devotees. There will also be opportunities to purchase food, with proceeds donated to the Vihara.
Venue: Tingewick Hall, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU
Time: 09:30 AM – 02:45 PM
Date: Sunday, 14th April 2024
Part I (Morning)
09:30 Arrival at Tingewick Hall
10:00 Chanting 30 Paramis together to begin the ceremony
-Buddha Puja/ offering food to the Buddha
10:30 Monks going on alms-round
11:00 Monks partaking in their meal
11:20 Lunch for the laity
Part II (Afternoon)
13:00 Starting of afternoon session
* Lighting candles by Dr Sai Tin Maung
* Paying homage to the Triple Gem
* Observing the Five Precepts
* Chanting by the Monks to bless the New Year
* Dhamma talks in Thai, Burmese and English
* Offering robes and other requisites
* Sharing of merits
* Bathing Rites for the Buddha statue, the Monks and the elders
14:45 End of the Programme
We look forward to welcoming you to this joyous occasion.
With warm regards,
OBV Sangha
