Glistening Amitabha Buddha Ceremony in 2023

In the reverent and quiet atmosphere at 19h 15' p.m, the mass respectfully welcomed 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 Tam Tien. The peaceful energy covers and spreads everywhere in the gentle joy of attendees.

After giving the reason and guests attending the ceremony, Junior Thich Tam Thu announced the opening speech for the candle lighting night; all practitioners direct their minds to the statue of Amitabha Buddha to offer incense for Him.

The most important moment is 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. Candle Light 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. Candle Light 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 "Twelve Prayers of Reciting the Buddha 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, Head Director Board of Thong Nhat Distric’s Buddhist Sangha, Abbot of Hue Vien Pagoda (Dong Nai) gave some encouragement to the mass.

Practicing Buddha's name, Buddhists aim towards peace and happiness. The Amitabha Sutra taught all good people to live together in one place. The realm of bliss is called the destination of ultimate joy because great-good people live together. We follow the Buddha's example: in the Saha world aim for peace and joy in life by living according to the Buddha's teachings in the family from grandparents, parents, and children, maintain five moral principles: do not kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or drink alcohol or intoxicants; be kindness, and moral ...

When reciting Buddha's name, we must have a sincere mind reciting His name. To face external obstacles and afflictions arising in the mind, we must firmly hold on to the Buddha's name, practice without turning back, without yielding. This is the person who truly practices and truly recites the Buddha's name, then there will be peace; it is happy in this life and next lives.

Next, Most Master Thich Chan Tinh of Hoang Phap Pagoda gave words of advice to the mass after the sermon by Senior Thich Phap Dang.

The Infinite Life Sutra taught that Amitabha Buddha is Bhikkhu Dharmakara. He vowed to establish the Pure Land in the West for sentient beings to take refuge in and practice. Out of great compassion, He realized that sentient beings were immersed in the sea of suffering, creating so much evil karma, then circulated in the six realms. Because of the love for sentient beings, he established the Pure Land for us to take refuge in and practice. The world of bliss has no evil conditions, there are only good people, saints and sages without suffering, full of joy, good conditions to advance on the path to Buddhahood without falling into three evil paths.  As being disciples of Buddhism, we heard the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha: After achieving enlightenment, the Buddha devoted His entire life for 45 years to propagating the Dharma, benefit living beings; bringing the light of truth reaching all human beings; helping human see the nature of life is impermanent, that the body is selfless, suffering, and empty; then, guiding sentient beings to enlightenment and liberation. Because of His great compassion, he has great love for all beings, is not afraid of difficulties and hardships. We see both Buddhas: Shakyamuni Buddha (present Buddha), Amitabha Buddha (past Buddha) have the same heart of boundless love for the beings. As a learner of Buddhism, practitioners should take these two examples to follow, open our hearts, bring what we practice and share with many people knowing the Dharma, practice the truth and benefit together.

There is a music show with singers: Dieu Dan, Kim Linh.

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

After the ceremony, there were some dharma gifts of a book named Living an elevated life written by Most Thich Chan Tinh, Calendar of Retreats in 2023 that were sent to all the participants.

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