New Year’s Eve Ritual & Celebration

Barre Zen Meditation Center

2nd Annual Oshogatsu

Wednesday, December 31, 3:00 – 5:00 P.M.

(Entry 2:45 – 3:00)

First Church Barre, Universalist

Parish House (Side Entrance)

19 Church Street

Oshogatsu is the Japanese Buddhist New Year’s Eve celebration. On New Year’s Eve, In Japan, at the stroke of midnight, temple bells across the country toll 108 times. According to Buddhist teaching, we have 108 earthly desires, defilements or “sins” that cause us to lose our tranquility and results in suffering – and by chanting the Bonsho (Great Bell) and allowing our being to be permeated by the bell’s toll, we can dispel each defilement, one by one. through which we banish the “108 troublesome defilements of human-kind,” to begin the New Year afresh.

On New Year’s Eve, The Barre Zen Meditation Circle will host Oshogatsu, The Ringing of 108 Bells. Please join us for our first annual Oshogatsu as we ring the temple bell 108 times and chant the Bonsho for the benefit of all beings. The Barre Zen Circle would love to have you join us as we ring in 2025 in this meaningful and wonderful celebration,

This ritual of ringing the bell and chanting the Bonsho [“Great Bell], Joya-no-Kane [Ringing the New Year Bell], is a beautiful purification rite that encourages a spiritual fresh start for the coming year.

Sink into the beautiful spaciousness between each bell, as we sit together for peace, renewal and forgiveness.  Come help us celebrate the peace of the coming year followed by fellowship and refreshments (Pot Luck). All are welcome. Feel free to invite loved ones and friends.

Oshogatsu Bonsho Chant

“May the sounding of this bell dispel
the trials and tribulations
that plague all beings.”

“Come, come quickly New Year’s Day.”