At midnight, on January 1st,
I said hello to 2013.
As I watched the glittering ball
descend into Times Square,
thousands of voices cheered
but nothing changed.
I felt the same.
In spite of all the counting,
we have no power over time.
A month later, on February 10th,
I welcomed in another New Year
with a Vietnamese friend of mine.
A completely different approach!
Instead of an expensive glittering ball,
useful items (like salt, fruit, cookies, and tea)
were set out in preparation for the arrival of the New Year.
I am not Vietnamese or Buddhist,
so I don’t know the significance of these chosen items.
But I do understand the intention.
It certainly makes sense to give thanks,
especially in these hard economic times.
After all the prayers were said for business and home,
we drove to the Van Hanh Buddhist Temple in Centreville, Virginia.
We arrived at around 12:30 a.m.
I was surprised to see so many people there,
early in the morning on such a cold night.
They did not come to party; they came to pray.
Sticks of incense were lit and placed in front of statues
that represent the Buddha and other helpful spirits.
*** The photo below was taken with the flash turned ON ***
Now when I look at this picture,
I can see the prayers of the people
filled with faith, hope, and good intentions
rising in the smoke from the incense sticks.
It is an inspirational and comforting sight.
Powerful!
+++++++
Giving thanks and praying
for the best possible future
makes more sense to me
than focusing on a
glittering ball
that descends to the ground
like a rock.
My preference?
I would rather see
New Year prayers rising! ~ ms
Before I Forget 
ritual with significance vs. an insignificant glittery ball, as it should be. good series
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Thanks Robert!
I tried to find out why we drop a ball on New Years eve.
Apparently, the tradition was started simply to create a party atmosphere…and nothing more.
http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2012/12/31/new-years-eve-why-do-we-drop-a-ball.html
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I remember hearing that too, once. It was just a NYC event and I think our media has made a big deal out of it, as it is the first time zone in the U.S.and therefore happens first.
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It is so much more appropriate. Heart warming too.
Sham and tinsel the other way with the ball.
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Originally, the ball was created and dropped to enhance and encourage a party atmosphere. It does not symbolize anything else, it has no deeper meaning.
The prayerful, thoughtful approach to the New Year does so much more for me. As you say, it is heart warming.
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Oh, my, what a lovely post!
In Japan everyone goes around midnight of New Year to the (Shinto/Buddhist, they tend to muddle together for me) temple, where the temple bell (usually a big bronze one) is rung by a long thick log run up against it some large number of strokes.
Do we get the rituals we deserve?
Charitably speaking, possibly not. I’d like to imagine us getting, in your splendid phrase, New Year prayers rising!
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We adhere to rituals that we accept.
So, in effect, we do get what we deserve.
Personally, I would rather start the New Year with a prayer.
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What a great post, I have been so taken aback by all the commercialism holidays have become and this is refreshing to see. Thank you.
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Thanks, Phil. I agree with you completely.The meaning behind a lot of our traditions has gotten lost in the commercialism.
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Maybe it’s just me.
But, giving thanks and praying
for the best possible future
makes more sense
than focusing on a
glittering ball
that descends to the ground
like a rock.
My preference?
I would rather see
New Year prayers rising!
Mary thank you
I know not what to say
its beautiful, I love your words
You believe in silence I know
somehow silence oozes out of you
thank for being my friend
Thank you
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hey
this post is so perfect..and i didn’t know about this ritual significance. its amazing 🙂
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Thank you eternal cadence.
(Sound of the soul)
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I nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award
Please accept & oblige.
http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/versatile-blogger-award/
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I am honored to accept, Ajay.
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Pingback: The Versatile Blogger Award | Ajaytao 2010
Amen.
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I agree….Amen.
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Really nice post, makes you think
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Thanks Ian.
Hope 2013 is going ok for you …..regardless of when it started. 🙂
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Beautiful words.
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Heartfelt.
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WONDERFUL POST!
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate the time you took to stop by. May your day be filled with joy and peace.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Glad your experience was a positive one. I once attended a New Year’s celebration at a Vietnamese temple in Southern California. While I was there, I shook a bamboo container until my fortune stick dropped out. A sweet young lady helped translate my fortune. As she did, the entire crowd backed away from me because it predicted a terrible year where I would be sick, maybe die, lose money and have lots of bad luck. My prayers apparently rose above Buddha because I enjoyed a marvelous year, thank you God! Jennifer
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Sorry you had a bad experience. I saw no bamboo containers with fortune sticks. I am fascinated by different cultures and religions. I studied both Buddhism and Hinduism when I took Philosophy, and I am pretty sure that Buddha wasn’t into predicting the future. 🙂
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Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.
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Thank you for calling me unique. My daughter once called me an “enigma”….and I’m not quite sure what she meant by that. 🙂
I try to post as often as I can find the time. Thanks for the bookmark!
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