Feelings to the 104th Buddha Recitation Retreat

 Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.

Respectfully to the Most Venerable Master, Abbot of Hoang Phap Ancestral Temple.

Respectfully to Venerable Thich Tam Truong, Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda.

Respectfully to all monks in the Monastics. Dear all Buddhist 

 

With a heart of altruism, love, and compassion, always embracing the spirit of loving-kindness and wisdom, Hoang Phap Pagoda organizes the Buddha Recitation Retreat three times a year. What impressed us most was the third Buddha Recitation Retreat, held at the end of the year, because we had the opportunity to attend the Grand Lantern Festival on Amitabha Buddha's Birthday – the beloved, kind father of humanity.

 

Each of us lives in this mundane world with our own persistent worries and concerns, both personal and universal. Along the worn path of life, coming and going day and night, suddenly half of one's life is over, hair already white from the exhaustion and weariness of striving for a livelihood. We deeply feel the impermanence of life, the constant pain of separation and death.

  

Life is still beautiful and joyful; yet, it is also filled with sorrow and choked emotions when facing undesirable circumstances. Our hearts are heavy with loneliness, silently weeping with grief over wars, poverty, natural disasters, epidemics, etc. Where do these come from? Birth and death, death and birth! Human life is full of tears and smiles; experiences everyone must go through. The six realms of samsara endlessly revolve, with no knowing when we will escape. That is the most terrifying thing.

 

How truly fortunate and blessed that we have the good fortune to participate in this Buddha Recitation Retreat. We had the chance to review the 48 Great Vows of Amitabha Buddha, to deeply appreciate His merits and majestic power, which have profoundly influenced humanity worldwide. We were able to practice the Pure Land Dharma gate, concentrating on reciting the Buddha's name, longing to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. However, this cannot be achieved without mindfulness, perseverance, and patience to overcome all defilements and suffering according to the natural law. No one can resist birth, aging, sickness, and death, so it is necessary to cultivate wholesome roots, merits, and conditions, and remember to practice faith, vows, and conduct.

 

Owing to the understanding we possess today, we sincerely and respectfully offer our deepest gratitude to our Master, the Abbot, and all the resident Venerables. We also express our appreciation to the Dharma lecturers and enlightened masters who have watered and nurtured the seeds of goodness, helping them grow and diminish the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. This has created a profound connection with the Buddha and helped us awake from the long dream of the mundane world, leading us towards liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

 

The merits and blessings we have gained, we dedicate to all those who served the retreat, wishing them good health, peace, and happiness. The ultimate core of studying the Dharma and performing many wholesome and Buddhist deeds is to benefit all beings and to return to the Buddha. This is boundless and infinite love; simply focus on training, and success will surely follow.

 

 The single character "mindfulness" is profound,

Success and failure, rise and fall, depend on this character.

Youth strives to cultivate; old age endeavors to maintain,

A human life is encapsulated entirely within this.

(Collected)

 

Life is still a cyclical repetition, but by knowing the Buddha's teachings, we have changed to live truly with ourselves, we become aware of the meaning of life, deeply believe in cause and effect, and keep our minds pure. When one achieves purity in this Saha world, purity in the Western Pure Land will surely follow. This is a message, a vital preparation for the spiritual development journey of each and every one of us Buddhists.

 

No matter how many words are spoken, they cannot fully express the immense, profound, and silent care, concern, and sacrifice that our Master and the Venerable have offered. They have brought the light of wisdom and happiness to us. Without the guidance and leadership of our Master and the Venerable, we would not have the joy we experience today. How precious! How cherished! Our respectful gratitude will last forever. From this point, we will not lose our way, and surely Shakyamuni Buddha rejoices greatly. Amitabha Buddha is immensely delighted. He always shines, always awaits His children's return. This truly is a place of true peace, the eternal home for each of us.

 

Once again, we sincerely thank Hoang Phap Pagoda and everyone who allowed us to taste the flavor of liberation that all Buddhas have experienced.

 Hoang Phap, December 18th, 2024

 

Nguyễn Thanh Thảo-PD: Liên Thảo

Translated into English by Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung