Dharma Talk "Four Solid Faiths for Buddhists" – 85th Seven-Day Retreat

Today April 20, 2017 (Mar 24, lunar calendar), based on the invitation of the organizer, the Most Venerable Thich Minh Thien - Member of the Board of Directors, deputy director of Central Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation – Preaching Division, Director of Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Long An province, delivers the Dharma talk to practitioners of the 85th Seven-Day Retreat with the topic "Four Solid Faiths of Buddhists"

During our practice on the path to the Enlightenment, Buddhists need to have firm faith in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and Precepts.

1. Buddha

The Buddha is the Enlightened one in terms of:

* Self-mindfulness,

* Helping others attain mindfulness

* Paramita of the two above mentioned virtues.

Buddha was born as a normal human being, thanks to practicing to seek the supreme wisdom that he has got the ultimate Enlightenment.

2. Dharma

a. Practical in present

Buddha’s teachings bring peace and happiness to practitioners now and here in this world, not only for the happiness in the afterlife, after death, or until reincarnation in another world.

b. Come to experience

Buddha's teachings is not only for us to believe, especially those things we do not see or know yet, but also for us to experience the truth and values of ease, bliss for ourselves and others in present and future.

c. Void of time affection

The value of Buddha’s Dharma is not limited in the frame of time. His teachings are always applicable and practical to practitioners in every time. They are the ease, happiness and liberation that can free us from suffering and anxiety

d. For the wise people to master

Buddha teachings are for everyone, every member of the society, regardless that one is wise or not. Buddha's great compassion spreads out to all people, all species. However, it is only the wise people who can master and practice them properly. Buddha’s teachings are the supreme truth that is contrary to ordinary mindset with ignorance and cravings in secular world. This is the practical way going against the normal trend.

e. Ability to get the direction of advance and attain divine purposes

This is the most important characteristic of Buddhism Dharma. His teachings can help practitioners transform their minds from mediocrity to sainthood. Devout Buddhists practice Dharma step by step to cultivate the trio Morality – Concentration - Wisdom to achieve the Enlightenment, release suffering/ anxiety, and cease the cycle of samsara.

3. Sangha

Monks are the examples for sentient beings to follow, the field of merit for gods and human beings to sow good deeds, the Dharma heirs. They follow Tathagata to eliminate suffering in samsara. Thus, Buddhists can create their own ultimate merits of victory when sowing good seeds into fields of merits via preserving activities for Triratna.

4. Sainthood

Morality/Precepts are used to control, prevent and cease the evils and wrong doings, create the base for good things to grow in our mind. To have bliss and ease, holiness and solemnity in life, it is a must for practitioners to preserve relevant precepts

In more than an hour of sharing, the Most Venerable has consolidated the faith of audience and encouraged them on the Dharma path.

Following are the recorded photographs:

BBT Website