Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa's New Year Message 2015

Translated from Tibetan: 

Tibetan Year Wood Sheep Rabjung (cycle of 60 years) 17
Christian era 2015

Tashi Delek and a prosperous New Year!

When every New Year comes, according to the dharma,
we must realise impermanence.
From last year until now, a year is finished.
Then we should also realise
the invaluableness of our precious human body.
Between last year and now,
we have to reflect back on
what deeds we have done that benefit ourselves
in the current life and for the next life,
also deeds that benefit others
as well as serving the Buddha Dharma.
Within the year, we have to thoroughly check
what we have achieved in relation to what is wholesome
without wasting our precious time.
And also within the year, we must examine
what non-virtuous actions we have done individually
by bad habits and afflictions.
We must thoroughly analyse in a way of
how we wasted our precious life with bad conduct.
From now, we must think about improving our conduct
and not wasting our precious human life.
So, whatever good deeds we have accumulated
we must rejoice in and offer to the Three Jewels.
For the sake of all sentient beings,
to achieve enlightenment,
we must dedicate and pray for them,
binding it with the three excellences.
This coming New Year,
we must develop ourselves
in relation to benefitting others and ourselves.
Also think to serve the Buddha Dharma
and the welfare of all sentient beings.
For the younger generation,
you must think of studying hard,
and being an obedient student in this coming New Year.
For the older generation, you must practice hard.
The application of impermanence is equal for all
- there is no difference in age in regards to impermanence.
However, if you are already living longer
it is a great virtue from your previous life.
A year is completed and a New Year is approaching,
therefore, in this New Year,
we must think that we will practice more
and try to make our life more meaningful.
If we live longer in the future,
we must not waste our precious time
but make it more fruitful.
All those points I explained in relation to the dharma.
But in relation to a worldly context,
on the occasion of a New Year, everyone celebrates the day.
Similarly, every individual has their own birthday celebration,
but in Tibetan custom,
a New Year is like a birthday celebration
for all Tibetan people.
During a New Year occasion, having auspicious conversations,
inviting each other, making harmony, admiring,
whether it is family,
a guru and disciple, or monks and a monastery,
friends, or someone you know,
all celebrate together as one and enjoy it.
This kind of celebration
is more related to the worldly context.
In summary, I don't have much responsibility
to explain in relation to a worldly perspective,
but from the viewpoint of dharma,
everyone must take a positive view
of making the New Year more meaningful.
For all the lamas, tulkus, khenpos, sangha and everyone,
aspire for good, whatever dharma activities are served until now.
In this coming New Year, everyone must have a great aspiration
and put effort more than the previous year
to serve the Buddha Dharma
and benefit greatly all sentient beings.
From my side I will do my sincere prayers
to make a connection like a drop of water in the ocean.
Tashi Delek and Prosperity to you all!
Lord Gampopa's teaching of the four dharmas are:
may my mind turn towards the dharma;
may the dharma go along the path;
may the path clarify confusion;
and may confusion transform into wisdom.
I will pray all these happen to you in a meaningful way.
Wishing you all a very happy New Year and Tashi Delek!

This message appears on the Sherabling website at: 

http://www.palpung.org/newspage/2015/01/0101/briefe.asp?thereleasedate=2015010101. Click on 'Transcript' at the top of the page and then scroll down to 'Tibetan edition'.