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. It’s also an important practice before formal retreats, important ventures and dedications, or any important “launch” of something new. Or, just anytime. It is critical to purify negative karma endlessly, since our lives are impermanent.

Chant along, while keeping in mind the Four Rs of Vajrasattva Practice: Refuge, Regret, Remedy (this mantra) and Refrain from future negative conduct. Visualize all of your negativities, obstacles and diseases purified by glorious white light. Listening or chanting are both beneficial.

Video:

For chant along:
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

To learn more about pre-Losar and pre-event or practice purification, see our extensive feature on Buddha Weekly: https://buddhaweekly.com/?p=22975