New Year's Day

New Year’s Day

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)

The New Year is an event that happens when a culture celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Those Cultures that measure yearly calendars will all have New Year celebrations.

Historically up until 1888, “Thai New Year” was held on the 01^st of January, which represented the beginning of the year in Thailand. From 1888 until 1940, the New Year date was changed to 01^st of April and consequently changed back the following year up until this date to the 01^st of January again.

Since then, Thai New Year has always been marked with a national holiday. However the Thai’s still like to keep up an old custom of celebrating an additional New Year on 13th – 15th April as well as to celebrate New Year on 1st January.

The Buddhapadipa temple also celebrates both the national and the Thai traditional New Year Days.

History
During the 7th century, the druidic pagans of Flanders introduced a custom of exchanging “gifts” on New Years. Such pagan custom was deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemings, "[Do not] make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom]." The quote is from the vita of Eligius written by his companion Ouen.

In the Middle Ages, most European countries used the Julian calendar, but a variety of dates were used as the first day of the year; see New Year for details. The adoption of the Gregorian calendar led eventually to the adoption of January 1 as New Year's Day in all countries using that calendar.

The Buddhapapipa Temple, The Young Buddhist Group and The Lay Buddhist Association have great pleasure in announcing that the Celebration of New Year’s Day will be held at the Buddhapadipa Temple, 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5HJ, on 1st January. It celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of the next so people can join this event and begin the year by merit-making at the temple. The programme is as follows;

PROGRAMME

09.00	Gathering in the basement of the Uposatha Hall
09.30	The lighting of the candles and incense Paying homage to Triple Gem and taking the Five Precepts followed by a welcome-to-New Year talk in Thai & English
10.00	Chanting of the Jayamangala Gatha by the Venerable Monks followed by the offering of Takbat by bevotees
11.00	Lunch for the venerable Monks
12.00	Lunch for the Lay peoble

Trays of non-perishable food for alms giving or Takbat can be purchased in the basement of the Uposatha hall. All proceeds go to the Temple Fund. All are cordially welcome. Please bring your friends. If you are unable to attend but wish to make a donation, please make a cheque payable to THE BUDDHAPADIPA TEMPLE.

The Buddhapadipa Temple
The Young Buddhist Group
The Lay Buddhist Association
Tel: 020-8946-1357 Fax: 020-8944-5788

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