2300 People Chanting the Diamond Sutra at Nung Chan Monastery to Ring in the New Year

On December 31^st, 2024, Nung Chan Monastery held its 10^th New Year's Dharma service. More than 2,300 people came to Nung Chan Monastery to welcome the New Year on this special day. Not only did they make good wishes for their families and themselves, but they also offered their deepest blessings to the world.

People started lining up at 3:30 p.m. as they gathered at Nung Chan Monastery. The event officially started at 7:00 p.m. Led by DDM Sangha, more than 2,000 people recited the Diamond Sutra with a harmonious tone in a stable and concentrative atmosphere. Another highlight of the event was the recitation of the Bell Ringing Verse, with the Disciplinary Monastic chanting the verse alone at first, and leading the whole congregation to chant the verse twice. Amidst the beautiful chanting, the words of compassion and wisdom touched everyone, moving many of them to tears. In this serene atmosphere, the Diamond Sutra Wall of Nung Chan Monastery slowly lit up, which symbolized the revelation of the light of wisdom, filling everyone with bright hopes for the future.


Ven. Guo Yi (果毅法師), the Director of Nung Chan Monastery, expounded, "In the past year, we may have seen a lot of bad news in media coverage. This inevitably makes us wonder what's wrong with our world. But in fact, there are more good things in life, and none of them should be taken for granted because they are made possible by the efforts of many people. As the Buddhist saying goes, 'To repay the four great kindnesses, and to relieve the sufferings of the three unfortunate destinies of existence.' Therefore, we should be grateful from moment to moment."


To give blessings to everyone, Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師), the Abbot President of DDM, also made a special trip to the monastery. He pointed out, "The year of 2025 is the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education, as well as the 50^th anniversary of the founding of Nung Chan Monastery in Beitou. So, this is a special year. Since next year is the Year of the Snake according to the lunar calendar, we should learn the four characteristics of a snake: 1) letting go – by shedding its skin, it symbolizes letting go of the past, seizing the present moment, and growing in the future; 2) flexibility – be flexible to embrace and tolerate everything; 3) perseverance – to practice Buddhist teachings, we must generate bodhicitta persistently; and 4) resilience – be resilient to get back on our feet after falling." Ven. Guo Huei exhorted everyone to have the power of great aspiration and walk into the New Year with diligence and perseverance in practicing Buddhist teachings.


At the end of the Dharma service, each person received their New Year's gifts: an "assignment for the mind in the New Year," which consists of a card with a quote from the Dharmapada, and a "Brown Sugar Longan Walnut Cake," which symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Having attained a peaceful mind after attending the Dharma service and the blessings of the Dharma teachers, people took photos in front of the Diamond Sutra Wall of Nung Chan Monastery, expressing good wishes to their friends and family members. Participants unanimously agreed that the best year-end present is to participate in the New Year's Eve activities at Nung Chan Monastery.



Original Chinese text / Nung Chan Monastery
Photos and video / Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL