Deities and Faith
If you forget to thank the deities at the calendar New Year, have you missed the chance to give thanks and pray for the coming year?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
You have not missed the chance. If you forgot to thank the deities at the end of the calendar year, or did not know this was something you could do, you can still thank them before Lunar New Year for their care throughout the year and pray for peace and smooth progress in the coming year. Missing that moment at the calendar New Year does not mean there are no further opportunities.
Miao Yuan once shared that she brought her family to worship before New Year, thanking the Bodhisattva for a whole year's protection and asking for continued care of her family. I strongly appreciated her intention. I also reminded everyone that if they had not done this at the end of the calendar year, the transition to Lunar New Year still offered a chance to look back, give thanks, and express hopes for the new year.
By leaving the old and welcoming the new, I mean hoping to put old unfavorable conditions behind us and welcome a new beginning. At this time, also remember the care you have received and thank the deities for their protection. Express that gratitude and those prayers, and move forward with a fresh spirit. There is no need to keep regretting forgetting to do it at New Year.