7 DAYS of PURITY: The “Four Rs” of the Final Week of the Year in Buddhism: Vital Vajrasattva Practice and New Year Traditions Explained

Sweeping away the obstacles, bad karma, bad luck and negativities of the old year, going into a new year with a purified “clean slate”, is an important lunar New Year practice in Buddhism.  Although it’s often associated with Losar and Lunar New Year, for those who practice according to the Gregorian calendar, the same purification routine is not only beneficial — it is essential to progressive practice.

The FOUR Rs of the final week of the year are the same practices we might undertake before an extensive retreat as well, and for similar reasons. The goal is to sweep away all the negativity before the new arrives, giving us a fresh start!

The supreme practice for this is Vajrasattva practice, such as this short 15-minute practice for last day of the month, or daily use, or for each of the last seven days of a year:

We also do this on the last day of every month, to clear the way for a fresh month. In Buddhist tradition, this is called Upavasatha, which we mark on our Dharma Dates calendar>>

Vajrasattva Purification: The Supreme Purification Practice

Vajrasattva practice is certainly the most popular purification and renewal process for “year-end.” Prior to Losar or Lunar New Year, it is important to do a de-clutter and cleanse. Starting off the New Year with blessings and offerings to the Three Jewels is important, but first, we try to purify the stains from the previous year.

Vajrasattva, which combines all the principles of karmic purification, is the ultimate Buddhist practice for clearing obstacles, negativities, curses, evil intentions of others, and our own internal demons. Simply reciting his 100-syllable mantra while visualizing white cleansing light filling our bodies — when combined with the four powers of Refuge or dependence on the Three Jewels, Regret and of our past negative actions, the Remedy of the mantra and visualization, and the intention to Refrain in future.

The Four Rs: Refuge, Regret, Remedy, Refrain

These are called the four Rs in short:

By setting our minds and intentions to the remedies at the end of the year, we start the new year off fresh and clean, ready to accumulate Dharma merit through virtuous practices, giving, and compassion.

Serious practitioners do a concise version of this practice every day with their Yidam practices, or at the very least on the last day of each month or the last seven days of each year (either lunar or solar, or both).

Beautiful Chanting of Vajrasattva’s 100-Syllable Mantra in Sacred Sanskrit:

Oṃ Vajrasattva
samayam anupālaya
Vajrasattva tvenopatiṣṭha
dṛḍho me bhava
sutoṣyo me bhava
supoṣyo me bhava
anurakto me bhava
sarva siddhiṃ me prayaccha
sarva karma sucha me
chittaṃ śreyaḥ kuru hūṃ
ha ha ha ha ho
ḥbhagavan
sarva tathāgata vajra
mā me muñcha
vajrī bhava
mahā samaya sattva āḥ

Purifying Practices is the Main Symbolic Activity

In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this is done primarily through a series of purifying practices and rituals which aim to clear emotional, mental, and spiritual obstacles. As a group we do temple or town-wide practices. As an individual we might practice alone, or join purication mantras and chanting online for live events, or even pre-recorded events.

These preparations before the Lunar New Year, known as ‘Losar’, target the resolution of negative patterns, attitudes, and actions. This aids in fostering a conducive environment for spiritual growth in the upcoming year. Central to this process is the usage of purification practices, which the Vajrasattva practice epitomizes.

The Vajrasattva practice, a well-respected purification ritual in the Vajrayana tradition, utilizes visualization, mantra recitation, and meditation to clear karmic imprints. It’s recommended that committed practitioners engage in such rituals with sincere intent, helping to expunge not only the root of negative karma, but its prospective recurrence.1

Additional activities incorporated during this time include making and consuming special foods, lighting butter lamps, and offering donations to monks or spiritual centers. These deeds are believed to generate positive karma and set a positive foundation for the approaching  year.