Buddha's Birthday Celebration at Dang Phap Pagoda, Binh Phuoc

On May 8th, 2022 (April 8th, LC), Dang Phap Pagoda held the Buddha's Birthday, Buddhism Calendar 2566 – Solar Calendar 2022.

At 9:00 am, the mass respectfully invited Junior Thich Tam Hanh, the monks of the Hoang Phap pagoda to share a Dharma talk with the topic History of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Venerable talked about the very specific meaning, each detailed example makes the sermon become lively and dignified.

Buddha Shakyamuni's previous destiny was the Bodhisattva Prabhapala from the Tusita heaven. When his life in heaven was about to end, he observed and chose the appropriate period, country, and lineage, as well as choosing the appropriate mother, choosing the appropriate life span of sentient beings, and the appropriate date; Buddha was born in 624 BC, on the full moon day of the month of Vesak, was named Siddhattha (Sarvarthasiddha) "a Person who achieve his wishes'' in Lumbini garden located between Kapilavathu and Devadaha, Nepal.

Vesak is the Sinhalese language of Sri Lanka. In Pali it is Vesakha, in Sanskrit it is Vaisakha. Vesak is the name of a month according to the Indian calendar of the Buddha's time. The month of Vesak is equivalent to Solar May, and lunar April. The first World Buddhist Congress in Colombo (Sri Lanka) was held from May 25 to June 8th, 1950. Delegations from 26 member countries have agreed that International Vesak Day is the full moon day of the 4th lunar month.

After the Dharma talk, the mass invited the neighboring Venerable Monks and Nuns and monks from the Hoang Phap pagoda to come to the main hall to welcome Buddha's birthday as well as to worship and bathe the Buddha:

"At present, I bathe the Tathagata

Clean, dignified, great merit

Sentient beings in five defilements will leave afflictions

 As well as witness Tathagata's pure body..."

(Quote from Buddha bath verses)

Dang Phap Pagoda is in the process of completing the construction of the main hall, so it is held in the corner of the courtyard. However, the ashram with nearly 400 people focused attentively listening to the Dharma talk, as well as solemnly performing the ceremony.

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