Dharma talk "Secular people, dharma practitioners - Most Thích Giác Đăng in the 107th Seven-day Retreat

On Jan. 03rd, 2026, the 5th day in the 107th Seven-day Retreat, Most Thích Giác Đăng, Former Abbot of Ngoc Trung Tang ashram, HCMC had a dharma talk named "Secular people, dharma practitioners" in the Dharma-wheel Building 's main hall.

 "The more you let go of what lies beneath your feet,

The higher your standing will become."

 

 Most Thich Giac Dang analyzed the difference between worldly people and spiritual practitioners as being in their thinking and behavior when facing circumstances. He explained that "secular people" live by desires, relying on material possessions and status, impermanent things belonging to the world. As a result, they become immersed in illusions, lack the ability to discern correctly, and easily fall from one extreme to another.

In contrast, "dharma practitioners" are those with wisdom, practicing according to the Buddha's teachings by letting go of meaningless desires, severing erroneous perceptions, and striving for a noble life in accordance with the law of cause and effect.

A wise person will know to seek refuge in the Three Jewels, a firm foundation for the growth of correct understanding of the world. Therefore, we are not swayed by the eight winds of life: gain and loss, praise and blame, honor and disgrace, suffering and joy. By strongly facing unpleasant things can we mature and progress on the Noble Eightfold Path, as the Buddha taught in the Dhammapada, verse 81:

"Just as a mighty boulder

stirs not with the wind,

so the wise are never moved

either by praise or blame."

The Dharma talk closed in serenity, fulfilled with joy and bliss.

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