Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s1.t2.25

v2.c12.s1.t2.25

It is celebrated on the first day of first lunar month. The 'First Lunar Month' in volume I of *Dreams of Past Glories of Bianliang* of Wu Zimu in Song Dynasty wrote that “the first day of the first lunar month was named Yuandan and was called as New Year popularly. It was the first season of a year... No matter poor or rich people visited temples in constant streams.” It talked about New Year’s Day in Lin’an (Hangzhou) which was the capital of Southern Dynasty, and people went to visit temples on this day. Temples can become recreational places at such times because people can pray for happiness throughout the entire year on the first day of New Year, as well as appreciate the view. It is worthwhile to note that Yuandan here was different from New Year today, and it meant the first day of the lunar year, ie Lunar New Year’s Day. According to the statement of *Records of Annual Functions in Jing-Chu Area*, the first day of each month was a day of fast. The record that people went to visit temples on New Year’s Day was consistent with the aforesaid statements. New Year’s Day was traditional Chinese festival, but was influenced by Buddhism.