The Celebration of Chinese New Year 2025 will be rung in globally on Jan. 29, marking the Year of the Snake, a symbol of transformation, renewal, and growth. However, the Nirvana Temple began the year’s festivities early on Sunday, at 9 a.m., with a meditation session and speech from Vietnamese Venerable Monk Bhante Padhanakamo.
“Chinese New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, including Vietnam. It represents a transition from the old life to the new one. This celebration is not only for Asian families but also holds spiritual importance, offering a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude for the new world and to build deeper relationships with ourselves, especially with love,” said Monk Bhante Padhanakamo.
Padhanakamo encouraged attendees to take a moment of silence, close their eyes, and enter a prayerful meditation, inviting health, peace, and prosperity for the new year. Following the meditation, attendees received a blessing, along with a woven rope bracelet and a red envelope from the monk.
Padhanakamo then cut pieces of the rope and tied them around each person’s wrist while softly chanting.
“The bracelets represent a blessing from him to you. He chanted a prayer for everyone to be well, happy, and peaceful. You wear the bracelet for the entire day, and the blessing goes straight to your heart. The red envelope contains a dollar, symbolizing luck and the removal of negativity. As a child, I always kept my envelope and never spent it,” said May Trieu, founder of Nirvana Temple.
Padhanakamo, a master monk from Vietnam, traveled to the Nirvana Temple specifically for the celebration. He is the first descent from His Vietnamese Holiness Khippapañño (Pali),
Kim Triệu (Vietnamese) of the Vietnamese Theraveda Buddhist lineage. After the meditation, the ceremony continued with the traditional dragon dance, which is performed annually at the temple in honor of the Chinese New Year. The event’s food was provided by local Chinese restaurants Great Wall and China King.
The ceremony attracted both locals and visitors, offering blessings and heartfelt remarks from Sen. Ray Fonseca. “The temple is a great asset to the community and upholds traditions like honoring the elders who came before them. I am proud to have attended and to embrace this wonderful crowd,” said Fonseca. “I love how their culture celebrates family and togetherness. We may face challenges as a community, but if we work together, we can overcome them.”
Trieu explained that the temple, built in 2006, is the only Buddhist temple on the island. Although it was repaired after hurricanes Irma and Maria, it was inspired by her family, particularly her grandmother. “For the new year, I hope everyone spreads love and kindness. Spending time with loved ones is priceless,” Trieu said.
The Nirvana Temple also offers other services, including acupuncture and yoga on Sundays at 9 a.m. The temple is located near Mandahl Road. For more information, call 340-643-4700. Donations are accepted, with a starting amount of $35, as the temple encourages donations from the hearts of those willing to give.
