Dharma Talk Winning the Darkness Within You preaching by Junior Thích Khai Tuan - Third day in Summer Retreat 2024

On the morning of July 12th, 2024 is the third day of the retreat. All students listened to a dharma talk named Winning the Darkness Within You, preached by Junior Thich Khai Tuan - a Zen practitioner studying at Truc Lam Phu Yen Monastery, is loved by many young people by the Tiktok channel "Ẩm thực Phật giáo" (Buddhist Cuisine)."

It is difficult for humans to avoid suffering and pain in life; then, they exist like a vast, infinite darkness inside which is called the hidden corner of the soul. That hidden corner often contains personal feelings, sadness, hurt, or resentments that are difficult to resolve. Unless having the substance of practice, it is difficult for people to overcome this terrifying darkness, so the young are easily led by their own foolishness, weakness, and delusion.

Procrastination, not being decisive with the self, daring to think but not daring to do are common diseases of the youth, so they are good at justifying their hesitations and indulgences in bad habits. The method to step out of the darkness in our minds is to look back at our bad habits, name those shadows, boldly eliminate them, transform greed, anger, and ignorance, and lower our ego to see clearly ourselves, and matters around. When becoming more valuable, we know how to give, transforming ourselves to be a new, more positive person. If we know how to renew our inner self, control ourselves, and control our emotions, we will have a peaceful life. He wants to remind especially listeners, it is important to always be mindful, cherish every present moment, be present for each other, and feel the happiness right around us.

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

Practitioners played hard with many movement games, showing the strength of teamwork and exchange between ten families.

In the evening, a quiz program on Buddhism aims to create conditions for participants to learn about the Buddha's life and His wonderful teachings.

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