77th Dharma Light Program

On Oct. 15th, 2023 (Sep. 01st, Year of the Cat) devout Buddhists from inside and outside HCMC came to Hoang Phap to join the One-day practice. This opportunity, the Organizers continued the 77th Dharma Light Program.

After having breakfast, Buddhists gathered in the lecture halls to join the session of reciting the Buddha's name, walking and chanting precepts.

In response to the organizers’ invitation, Senior Thich Tri Hue, standing member of Central Propagation Board, Abbot of Phap Tang pagoda came to the ashram to answer Buddhists' questions.

Following are the questions in the program:

Question 1:

Dear Venerable! The cutting and pasting images of monks posted up sermons in the media, especially intentionally cutting and pasting the meaning of the sermons, providing meaning lacked content has distorted the teachings that the monk wants to convey, affecting the reputation of the Sangha in particular and of Buddhism in general... So please kindly give your opinion on this problem!

Question 2:

Dear Venerable! This happens in most temples, some Buddhists who have stayed for a long time, have become elders, want to abuse their power and sometimes dictate orders to the monks-nuns. We hope you can clearly explain its retribution, cause-effect, so that these ones can understand and change.

Question 3:

There is a temple that stipulates when Buddhists come to that temple to do volunteer regularly, they must read and memorize the "Vows of absolute loyalty" with sentences such as:

If I betray Tathagata/ Fire burns my body for several million years.

Master's kindness is profound/ I will reborn to the beast if I betray,...

If there's still a little bit of individuality benefit/ then I will suffer my body's destruction.

It is not in accordance with the Buddha's teachings in my opinion, meanwhile, this ashram only allows followers to listen to the Abbot dharma, not to listen to the Dharma of any other preacher.

So, what is your opinion on this issue?

Question 4:

There are some temples that do not allow Buddhists coming to the temple to chant sutras with monks and nuns during the chanting period. On the day of repentance on the 14th lunar day, my nephew went to the temple to pray to repent, but the monks at that temple invited Buddhists to leave the main hall with the reason: the monks will come here to chant the sutra; so, you should go out the main hall. This makes my grandchild feel surprised and frustrated. Why can we go to the temple and not be able to chant sutras? This will cause us to lose the opportunity to practice for lay Buddhists.

Question 5:

Some of my friends have known each other since we newly went to the temple, then we studied together in catechism class. Some time later, some of them stopped going to the temple. When I asked, my friends answered me: We can study the teachings and practice on our own, I don't need to go to the temple. Because monks who have not yet attained enlightenment, still making mistakes, why do we come to that place? We should stay at home and cultivate ourselves! That's not right in my opinion, but I don't know how to advise them. I hope the venerable can compassionately give me advice on this issue!

After reciting the Buddha name in the afternoon, Buddhists practiced sitting meditation quietly.

The practice day ended in the joy of the mass.

Some images recorded: