Dharma Talk Let Happiness Be Present preaching by Senior Thích Đồng Thành - Second day in Summer Retreat 2024

The morning of July 11th, 2024 is the second day of the retreat. Young practitioners start a new day with exercise, mingle with nature to enjoy the fresh air of dawn, and practice dancing to perform together.

After breakfast, the students gathered at the lecture halls to listen to teachings by Senior Thích Đồng Thành, Member of Director Council, Head of Standing Board - Director Board of Buddhist Sangha in Binh Dinh province, Vice Principal of Vietnam Buddhist University in Hue, Principal of Buddhist Intermediate School in Binh Dinh, Abbot of Thien An pagoda (Binh Dinh), had a Dharma talk Let Happiness Be Present.

The legitimate wish for happiness is something everyone wants to have and must be created by ourselves, not given by anyone. If we want to be happy, we should plan a path for ourselves that leads to happiness. To follow that path, we must know what happiness is, the goal of happiness and the method to get happiness.

There are 3 levels of happiness:

1. Material happiness.

2. Spiritual happiness.

3. Psyche's happiness.

For happiness to exist, the Senior shares five principles of life and six arts of identification:

*. Five principles:

1. Principle of cause and effect (Sowing the causes of happiness). Happiness does not come naturally, nor is it given by anyone, but happiness is created by ourselves. We must sow the seeds of happiness, the conditions of happiness to reap the fruits of happiness. On the contrary, if we cause suffering and harm to others for our own happiness, that happiness will not last long.

2. Living the Middle Way: balance, harmony, moderation in all causes and conditions.

3. Have the spirit of the Four Noble Truths: suffering, causes of suffering, cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. Each of us should consciously take care of the garden of our mind, improve our character, and train our soul.

4. True happiness is present right here and now. Therefore, we should know how to cherish the present moment and everything that is happening.

5. Happiness does not come from external factors but comes from internal consciousness. When we have a beautiful soul, wherever we are, whatever conditions we are in, there will be the presence of happiness. Therefore, each person should practice loving-kindness, and change the cognitive attitude of the state of mind to achieve happiness.

*. Six arts of identifying happiness:

1. Knowing how to identify happiness.

2. Appreciating what we have.

3. Knowing how to accept and live with imperfect things.

4. Transforming suffering into happiness.

5. Knowing how to sow and develop the seeds of happiness.

6. Being joyful and happy with the success and happiness of others without being envious, or jealous.

Then, the Venerable answered all of the listeners' questions around the lecture's topic and life's problems.

The students chanted Ullambana sutra in the evening to understand the grace of their parents.