Buddhism Course at Hoang Phap Pagoda

In the evening of Mar 22, 2017 (Feb 25, lunar calendar), Hoang Phap Pagoda opened a Buddhism course for lay members at the pagoda.

It was the first day of the course that designs to meet the needs of Buddhists about Buddhism knowledge/doctrine and how to apply them on the path to Enlightenment. Reverend Thich Tam Manh and Reverend Thich Tam Thien are in charge of this weekly course.

The first topic of the course was about “Practice” and the goal of Buddists coming to pagoda, delivered by Reverend Thich Tam Manh.

Briefly to say, “Practice” means cultivation or modification for better mode. Nowadays, Buddhists do not thoroughly understand the right meaning of “practice” that leads to incorrect application.

When going to pagoda to take refuge in Triratna, aspirants hope that they could earn some benefits as sound health, peaceful family, fulfilled wishes for this life and Pure Land attainment after death. People may misunderstand that “Practice” means begging Buddha for all the goodness, safeness and comfortableness. Indeed, “practice” means correcting the bad and ugly behaviors/habits, overcoming evil trends and cultivating merits via three karmas: body, thought and speech.

Besides coming to pagoda to serve daily activities and support the clergy people Buddhism works, lay Buddhists should spend time to listen to Dharma talk, read sutras to understand the right meaning of the scriptures, find the proper practicing methods and apply them to promote wisdom, compassion and loving kindness. With the right view, Buddhists can avoid religious superstition, earn benefits and have true happiness in life.

The Q&A session released all the queries and concerns from participants and closed the course in the joys of all.

Following are the recorded photographs:

BBT Website