Glistening Amitabha Buddha Ceremony in 2022

By the spirit of profound gratitude of the Buddha's disciples, on Dec. 10th, 2022 (Nov. 17th, LC), Hoang Phap pagoda organized the candle lighting night to celebrate Amitabha Buddha’s birthday with the participation of thousands of devout Buddhists in neighbouring provinces.

In the reverent and quiet atmosphere at 6 pm, the mass respectfully welcomed the presence of the Sangha to witness the ceremony. Three times of Prajnà bells grumbling, the Sangha step by step in their righteous mind towards the platform. Next, participants calm their minds to listen to chanting from Junior Thich Dao Thuyen. The peaceful energy covers and spreads everywhere in the gentle joy of attendees.

After giving the reason for the ceremony, all practitioners direct their minds to the statue of Amitabha Buddha to offer incense for Him.

The most important moment is in the sacred atmosphere and thoughtfulness. Most Thich Chan Tinh, Master of Hoang Phap pagoda lit candles from Buddha’s altar, and then transferred to Senior Thich Phap Dang, Junior Thich Tam Truong, monks and Buddhists. That action is to transfer boundless wisdom and compassion, shining in the mind of each person, bringing them back to their gentle and pure nature. Candlelight is lit to dispel the darkness of suffering and ease the sorrows of human life. The night of candle light is to pay homage to Amitabha Buddha, each person with a good mind will work together to build a beautiful and prosperous country, a peaceful world, and good humanity. Candlelight brings practitioners back to their inherent gentle nature, displaying Amitabha's self-nature to relieve the sorrows of human life.

In those sacred moments, the mass gathered together towards the platform to chant the Buddha's praises.

Next, Junior Thich Tam Truong, Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda together with the mass read the poem "Reciting the Buddha's name, imitating the Buddha's example" and "Twelve Prayers of Reciting the Buddha's name" composed by Most Thich Chan Tinh.

After that, the attendees unanimously prayed for a happy world and peaceful living beings.

Then, practitioners had moments of silence, contemplating the infinite love of the Buddha for sentient beings throughout all realms.

Preaching dharma in the ceremony, Senior Thich Phap Dang, member of Director Board of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai province, Head Director Board of Thong Nhat Distric’s Buddhist Sangha, Abbot of Hue Vien Pagoda (Dong Nai) gave some encouragement to the mass. Each person should return to light the candle of wisdom in the mind. When reciting the Buddha's names, we must follow His example, which should return with a pure and clear mind, eliminating all thoughts: greed, anger, delusion, defilements...Buddhist learners want to benefit for ourselves and others, we must build a blissful realm at the mind first, diligently reciting the Buddha without receding to spread the happy energy to the surrounding world. That is also the cause of peace in the present, leading to the future fruition of being born in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha.

To lift up the ceremony is the atmosphere of a music show with the taking part of singers such as Hung Thanh, Kim Linh.

The ceremony ends with miraculous, sparkling candlelight and the joy of the mass.

After the ceremony, there were some dharma gifts of books written by Most Thich Chan Tinh, Calendar of Retreats in 2023 that were sent to all the participants.

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