Anniversary of Master Ngo Chan Tu, Hoang Phap Founder

With the spirit of gratitude and repayment to the pagoda founder, in the morning of Dec 03, 2017 (Oct 16, lunar calendar), Hoang Phap Pagoda solemnly celebrated the 29th anniversary of Master Ngo Chan Tu, Founder of Hoang Phap pagoda. Thousands of devout clergy people and Buddhists from all over the country have come to attend the ceremony.

Since days ago, Abbots of pagodas of Pure Land School and others, have come to see the Abbot of Hoang Phap pagoda and join the anniversary.

At 9:00, in the sound of prajna drum, Buddhists in queues pressed palms together to respectively welcome venerable clergy men coming to the main hall for the ceremony.

After the introduction, in solemn and pure atmosphere, the ashram spent a moment of silence in remembrance of the merit of the Master Founder, who devoted his whole life to preach Dharma and serve sentient beings. Venerable Thich Tam Kinh, Abbot of Tay Khanh pagoda in Thai Binh province, on behalf of Hoang Phap sangha, delivered a speech of the biography and contributions of the Founder, Master Ngo Chan Tu.

In response, Buddhist Dieu Hao, representative of lay members, expressed the feelings and gratitude from generations to the Founder’s merits. Next, Senior Venerable Thich Chan Tinh, head of anniversary organizing department, on behalf of Hoang Phap sangha, sent big thanks to audience for its kind attention. Then he delivered a Dharma talk encouraging everyone following the example of the Master Founder in practicing.

The cycle of birth and death is unavoidable in life. The matter is we should live helpfully in this world for the interests of ourselves and others, be the example for others to learn. Therefore, wise person should contemplate and live properly bringing benefits to the community. We should acknowledge the value of life and skillfully use it via practicing. The duty of clergy people is "Practice for Enlightenment and save sentient beings". It is the way that our dear Master has gone. He committedly preserved Vinaya Pitaka, performed uncomplicated and disciplined Buddhism practice called Dhudanga for the happiness and benefits of Buddhism and sentient beings.

Nevertheless, we should acknowledge that the progress becoming Buddha and saving sentient beings is not a short term but takes fourAsaṃkhyeyasand 100,000 great kalpas. In Samyutta Nikàya, Buddha gives us examples of kalpa as following:

* There is a stone; each size one yojana (27kms or 07kms). People uses cloth cleaning it once per century until that stone was absolutely worn out. That is the length of one kalpa.

* There is an iron rampart, each size one yojana, full of mustard grains. People takes one seed every century until the rampart is empty. That is the length of a kalpa.

The Master has soon recognized the meaning of the above sutra and diligently practiced the six perfections (pāramita) including generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiastic perseverance, concentration and wisdom (ten perfections in Theravada) on the Path to Enlightenment. Therefore, in practice, it is necessary for us to patiently practice in long term to have the Achievement. It is impossible to get the Attainment in short term. Practitioner should have wisdom-merit duo practice to get the achievement and save sentient beings. All of these have been performed in the life of the Master.

Via the Master life, Senior Venerable Thich Chan Tinh encouraged Buddhists following the example of the Founder of Hoang Phap pagoda to live properly in secular/religious life, benefiting oneself, family and community.

This year, the anniversary has got the contributions from singers as PhÆ°Æ¡ng Thuy with song "Nho On Thay To" (composer: Vu Ngoc Toan), Thanh Hang and Thanh Ha with song "Thay Toi" (poem: Thich Phuoc Thinh, music: Chuc Hieu), Duy Linh with song "Cam Niem An Su" (composer: Ha Mai Tan)

At the end of the ceremony, everyone offered incense to pay tribute to the Master Founder and together had lunch in close brethren-hood.

Everyone coming to the ceremony got Dharma gift from organizer including DVD "Le Gio To Co Hoa Thuong Ngo Chan Tu," VCD "Nam Cau Ue cua Tam", and calendar with attached events and retreat schedule in 2018 of Hoang Phap pagoda.

Following are recorded photographs: