Buddha statue set amongst candles and incense.
Posted on by Vince Cullen

New Year Eve – Intention Setting

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

‘Sit-and-Sajja’
This event is jointly offered by the Buddhist Recovery Network and the Fifth Precept Sangha.
(Zoom link at bottom of page)

NEW YEAR EVE INTENTION SETTING (SACCA-KIRIYĀ)

“By this truth may there be happiness” ~ Buddha

2:00 pm (Pacific) / 10:00 pm (UK)
Connection and conversation, ready for a prompt start at 30-minutes past the hour.

2:30 pm (Pacific) / 10:30 pm (UK)
30-Minute Guided Serenity Breath Meditation

3:00 pm (Pacific) / 11:00 pm (UK)
Dhamma Talk: ‘By This Truth May There Be Happiness’ – Vince Cullen

3:30 pm (Pacific) / 11:30 pm (UK)
Sajja (Sacca-kiriyā) Intention Setting in Three Parts

Those individuals who wish to participate, unmute and repeat each line after the leader:

“I ask for forgiveness from others for whatever harmful things I have done: the mistakes, the failures and the wrong-doings that I have intentionally or unintentionally done with body, word and heart.”

“I ask for and extend forgiveness to myself for whatever harmful things I have done to myself: the mistakes, the failures and the wrong-doings that I have intentionally or unintentionally done with body, word and heart.”

“As far as I am ready and able; I forgive others for whatever harmful things they have done: the mistakes, the failures and the wrong-doings committed intentionally or unintentionally with body, word and heart.”

Optional and voluntary, open opportunity for individuals to unmute and share their own Sajja(s) intentions. Each individual reads aloud:

“In this place of mindfulness, with the natural Elements and those present as my witnesses, I knowingly and openly commit to the following Sajja:”

[insert your ‘Sajja’ or ‘Sajjas’ (Sacca-kiriya) here… for example, but not limited to…]

“I will not take alcohol or other drugs that lead to carelessness for…”

[ the rest of my life ] [ one year ] [ one week ] [ one day ]

“I will practice these Sajja(s) one breath at a time; one step at a time; one day at a time.”

  • Part Three: Dedication of Merit for Sajja (Sacca-kiriyā)

Those individuals who have participated, unmute and repeat each line after the leader: 

“May the merit and benefits from the fulfilment of these Sajja(s) relieve the suffering of any beings currently experiencing Hell realm mind-states and conditions; and may the merit and benefits be shared around the whole Universe.

In the realm of the Human beings; may the merit and benefits from the fulfilment of this Sajja be shared with my family, with my benefactors and with my friends; and may it relieve the suffering of all the people that I have ever hurt or harmed.

  • May I and all beings – be free from the pain and sorrow of cravings.
  • May I and all beings – be filled with loving-kindness.
  • May I and all beings – be safe from inner and outer dangers.
  • May I and all beings – be well in body and mind.
  • May I and all beings – be peaceful and live with ease in the world.
  • May I and all beings – be happy and free from all distress.”

4:30 pm (Pacific) / 00:30 am (UK) (or before)
20-minute Wise Heartedness Meditation

  • May I find stillness… in the midst of chaos.
  • May I be at ease… in the midst of discomfort.
  • May I be safe & well… in the midst of uncertainty.
  • May I live with kindness… in the midst of all that is difficult.

4:50 pm (Pacific) / 00:50 am (UK) (or before)
Closing Dedication of Merit

Those individuals who wish to participate, unmute and repeat each line after the leader: 

  • We dedicate the merits of this practice to all suffering beings.
  • May everyone be free of suffering, and the causes of suffering.
  • May everyone enjoy happiness, and the causes of happiness.
  • Keep sitting, and keep smiling!

5:00 pm (Pacific) / 01:00 am (UK) (or before) Meeting closes.

Vince has given many talks on Sajja/Sacca-kiriya as an embodied practice, an example being: Sajja – A Practice for Transformation

More details about ‘Sajja’ and ‘Sacca-kiriya’ can be found in the free booklet ‘From Hungry Ghost to Being Human’ on pages 14-16, 36 & 37.

No registration is required. The meeting link is –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83638807203

Image by Vince Cullen – ‘Candles, Incense and Buddha’ – Nalagiri House, Tipperary, Ireland – 31st December 2017