Dharma talk Don't sell our life cheap in the 101st Seven-day Retreat

On the 4th day in the 101st Retreat of Dec. 26th, 2023 Junior Thich Tam Duc, Head of propagation Department of Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha in HCMC, residing at Hue Nghiem Giang Tu, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC preached a Dharma talk named Don't sell our life cheap in the main hall of Wheel Dharma Building.

Practitioners should know how to face suffering and afflictions with Buddhist wisdom without denying suffering. When encountering discouragement, having steadfastness, we will not give up, will not sell our life cheap, try to diligently overcome difficulties, and win the mind of laziness.

People often have two states of awareness when suffering comes: For practitioners, they will transform, know clearly there is cause - effect, or condition - karma, practice reciting Buddha's name and pray for both loved ones and enemies will become Buddhas; For worldly people often complain and hate life, even destroying themselves when suffering comes.

Practitioners should know how to appreciate their body, apply practice to their life to nourish the body and mind. We must make the study of Buddhism truly valuable; don't sell the Dharma cheaply, or sell cheaply our value of studying Buddhism but should lower our ego every day; like the core of a tree, it will last a long time, don't expect anything. We should praise people's good deeds, don't criticize them, and don't say they're wrong when they're absent.

Before doing anything, a practitioner must consider: if it is to benefit oneself - benefit others, or benefit both, one should do it; or harm ourselves, others, or both, do not do it. Apply Buddha's teachings in life.

The peace and tranquility of practice is not about the external appearance, but whether it helps us transform our inner mind or not? There are things we cannot choose in life, but sometimes it is a good way out if we know how to transform. Life is inherently neither good nor bad; not right, not wrong; There is no right - left only cause - effect. Let cheerfully exchange joy while still existing in this life, always keep our emotions balanced, calm, and peaceful by reciting Buddha's name.

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