年，是人类在不断觉醒的进程中，对环境、气候、时间规律的认知与利用。古埃及人通过观察尼罗河的涨落周期来纪年，称为“水历”；在东北亚，人们依据月亮与四季的更替来计年，称为“太阴历”；东南亚与美洲原住民则通过太阳回归周期来定年，称为“太阳历”。在东方，人们常用12种动物对应一天中白昼的不同时间段，以此标记时间顺序。这不仅成为人类社会文明生产的共同约定和时间依据，还进一步演化为用12个动物作为12进制来纪年。这些独特的纪年方式，无一不是人类文明高度认知与科学实用精神的伟大体现。

蛇象征着潜藏在每个人内心深处的原始智慧潜能。如果我们能以正向的发心、方法或信仰来唤醒它，它将服务于智慧的成长与人生的正向发展；但若我们放任负面的情绪与行为，它则可能表现为阴暗、狡诈与残忍。正向与负向的选择，取决于我们是否能够坚守并实践正向的认知，是否能让人性中的慈悲与天性引导我们的行动。

在这新的一年里，愿大家积极唤醒天生的潜能，主动展开合作共赢，共同为人类科技与社会的正向发展贡献自己的力量，创造一个积极、和平且具有良善价值的未来。让我们携手减少与消除矛盾、隔阂与对抗，享受科技、信仰与个人追求在合作中带来的互利成果与福祉，为人类从地球生物迈向高智能星际生物做好充分准备。

在这个伟大的时代，愿我们不负此生，让智慧与幸福同行，实现永生自在。扎西德勒！愿您成为生与死的主宰，成为自我世界的智慧依怙！

—— 曲尼江楚仁波切2025蛇年开示

The concept of the year represents humanity’s recognition and utilization of environmental, climatic, and temporal laws during its continuous awakening process. The ancient Egyptians marked the years by observing the rise and fall of the Nile River, and this method was known as the “Water Calendar.” In Northeast Asia, people calculated years based on the moon’s phases and the seasons’ changes, a method known as the “Lunar Calendar.” In Southeast Asia and among the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the solar return cycle was utilized to define the year, and this was called the “Solar Calendar.”

In the East, people often associated 12 animals with different segments of the day to mark the sequence of time. This not only served as a common convention and time-keeping basis for the development of human civilization but also evolved into a 12-based system for marking years using 12 animals. These unique systems of timekeeping are all great embodiments of human civilization’s high-level cognition and the spirit of scientific practicality.

The snake symbolizes the latent wisdom within each individual’s heart. If we can awaken it with a positive intention, method, or belief, it will contribute to the growth of wisdom and the positive development of life. However, if negative emotions and behaviors are allowed to take hold, it can manifest as darkness, deceit, and cruelty. The choice between the positive and negative paths hinges on whether we can uphold and practice positive cognition, allowing compassion and human nature to guide our actions.

In this new year, may everyone actively rouse their innate potential, take the lead in fostering cooperative win-win outcomes, and contribute to the positive development of human technology and society.  Let us create a future full of positivity, peace, and benevolent values. Together, we can reduce and eliminate conflicts, barriers, and antagonism, and experience the mutual benefits and blessings that stem from cooperation in technology, faith, and personal pursuits. Let us be well-prepared for humanity’s transition from earthly beings to highly intelligent interstellar beings.

In this great era, may we live our lives without regret, accompanied by wisdom and happiness, and attain eternal freedom. Tashi Delek! May you become the master of both life and death, and the wisdom protector of your world!

—— Chonyi Gyamtso Rinpoche’s 2025 Snake Year Teaching