First Day of Lunar New Year & Oracle Readings

As we begin the new lunar year, the sangha will gather to share new year wishes and Kieu Oracle readings. All are welcome.

We will offer the interpretation of the Kieu Oracles (bói Kiều). We encourage those of you who are familiar with this practice—as well as those of you who are new—to hold a deep question about your practice in your heart. The senior monks and nuns will then have an opportunity to interpret the poet’s response to the question.

This event is In-Person and requires advance registration.

If you need to cancel, please use our contact page to email us and let us know as soon as possible, so that other folks have the chance to attend.

Schedule

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Gate open to receive registered visitors

9:00 AM – Lunar New Year Ceremony

10:30 AM – Kieu Oracle Readings

12:30 PM – Vegetarian Lunch

About Kieu Oracle

The Lunar New Year, known as Tết in Vietnam is one of the most unusual and joyous weeks in the Deer Park calendar, with special celebrations and dharma talks, as well as informal teachings centered around the art of poetic “Kieu oracle reading”. 

A Tale of Kieu is an epic story of a beautiful and talented young woman who sells herself into marriage to save her father and brother from imprisonment. However, she did not realize that instead of marriage she was sold into prostitution, and from there, her life took many twists and turns until finally, fifteen years later she was reunited with her beloved Kim Trong – to whom she had secretly promised her hand before that fateful day.

This tale was fully written in poetic verses by a well-known writer Nguyen Du in the eighteenth century and is considered the most famous classic in Vietnamese literature. It is so well-loved and considered sacred that people have used it as an oracle to consult in important life decisions.

Our teacher Thay has adapted this cultural art of Kieu oracle reading as a practice of spiritual guidance. It invites us to look deeply into our present situation to know how to practice so we can have more stability and happiness in the coming year. For each oracle Thay has selected lines from the poem to arrange into meaningful couplets – one line being the cause, like guidance to practice and the other line is the effect. 

Before selecting an oracle, you can return to your breath, clear your mind, and call upon the spirits of the poet, Nguyễn Du, the wise woman, đạo cô Tam Hợp, and the nun, Giác Duyên. Once you are ready, you can pose a question and pick an oracle (in red envelopes) from the bell. 

The Tale of Kiều describes fifteen years of the trials and tribulations of Kiều, reflecting the poet’s life and the political environment of his time. Interestingly, the poem also mirrors the experiences of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) and the political upheaval during his lifetime, including the French War and the American War in Vietnam. Unlike Kiều, who was swept away by circumstance and unskillful thinking, Thay has used spiritual practice to transform suffering and realize deep wisdom and freedom. Kiều Oracle Reading is one of Thay’s precious gifts, illuminating the path of transformation and healing for generations to come.