Dharma talk “sharing experiences of practicing” by Most Thich Minh Thong - The 97 th Seven-day Retreat

On Aug. 23rd, 2022, Most Thich Minh Thong, Abbot of Hue Nghiem Pagoda in Binh Tan HCMC came to the lecture hall to share about his experiences in studying and practicing about the Pure Land method to Buddhists in the 97th retreat.

Over many years of research and practice, the Master has accumulated many valuable experiences on the path of study, sharing what he has grasped and absorbed. The Master shared about two important factors to lead towards Amitabha Buddha: faith and vow to be reborn, as well as holding two beliefs: Belief in the other powers of Amitabha Buddha in the Western realm of Ultimate Bliss, and belief in itself-reliance; due to being humans with many afflictions, one needs to rely on the Buddha's other-power, but one has to rely on itself first, and then to be welcomed to Ultimate Bliss, progress to Buddhahood. At the same time, he analyzed the practice in only specializing and the mixed practices in the spirit of Patriarch Shan-T’ao.

The Master reminded practitioners in the retreat, let have faith and determine in the Pure Land path. Be diligent in reading, reciting, practicing, contemplating and reciting the Buddha's name, always remembering to think about the Land of Ultimate Bliss until our last breath (without leaving the reciting the Buddha's name), then our way will be very gentle.

In the afternoon, the ritual of offering food for the lone souls, who are not worshiped by anyone, which in life is often referred to as spirit offering.

 This rite is a method of transcending souls and spirits, which temples, monasteries, and holy houses often do after great ceremonies.  Especially, this rite helps relieve alone souls  is often organized to support rebirth souls with social humanity, which pray for the souls of martyrs, dead souls about accidents traffic, souls of foetus accidents, or places where deaths occur...

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