IMPRESSION OF THE 105TH BUDDHIST RETREAT

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.

Respectfully offered to our Master Venerable Thich Chan Tinh, Head Master of Hoang Phap Patriarchal Temple’s Sangha. 
Respectfully offered to Venerable Thich Tam Truong, Abbot of Hoang Phap Temple.
Respectfully offered to the revered monks of the temple.
And with respect, to all Buddhist lay people.

 

As we know, the Buddha entered Nirvana long ago. Yet, fortunately, his teachings have been faithfully preserved and transmitted through the ages. These teachings are the living embodiment of the Buddha himself. We are truly blessed to take part in the 105th Buddhist Retreat at Hoang Phap Temple, Hoc Mon, Ho Chi Minh City. This retreat fills our hearts with joy and nurtures love and harmony among the temple and fellow practitioners, making life radiant and full of meaning. The blossoming of the heart is reflected in the joyful, peaceful smiles of practitioners, for indeed, “the appearance is born from the mind.”

 

 The life of the Buddha continues to live on in the hearts of all Buddhist followers, especially as we recall the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month - the day Prince Siddhartha renounced his worldly life. On that day, he sought to answer a profound question: What path could free himself and all beings from the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, as well as the defilements of the mind?

 

This question drove him to abandon everything including his wealth, his fame, his royal status, even a beautiful wife, beloved child, and the throne of a kingdom. Such a renunciation was truly magnificent and rare in this world. For six long years, he endured severe ascetic practices. Yet, with great courage, he let go of those extremes and chose the Middle Way. It was through this path that he attained enlightenment, realized the truth, and became the Buddha Shakyamuni. This marked an extraordinary turning point He has opened the path of liberation for all sentient beings. Ultimately, the results we experience, whether wholesome or unwholesome, depend upon the karmic conditions we create and the diligence of our own practice.

 

 The Buddha is truly a great teacher of humans. The Thus Come One was but a guide, skillfully employing countless means to teach sentient beings for forty-five years. He remained unattached to the fruits of his realization, dedicating himself tirelessly to the liberation of beings until the day he entered Nirvana without remainder. He left behind a priceless treasure of teachings, a supreme gift among all gifts offered to human beings.

 

Though it has weathered many trials, storms, and constant changes, Hoang Phap Te[L1] mple continues to embody and carry forward the vibrant life of the Buddha’s Dharma. It reminds us that this life is but a fleeting dream. The world of desire is entangled with thorns and afflictions, mingling both good and evil, suffering and joy. And the helpless passage of time brings us face to face with the truth of impermanence. Life is brief, uncertain, and accidents happen without warning. Only the Pure Land offers true and lasting peace. To seek this refuge and cultivate towards it is the very essence of our practice.

 

We have taken refuge in the Three Jewels, nurturing the vow to remain devoted to them throughout countless lifetimes, thereby cultivating the roots of virtue. We understand that our minds must be trained until they are firm and unshakable. Only then will the Three Jewels truly manifest within our hearts, allowing us to see the real Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha not merely their outward forms or their words. By practicing in accordance with the virtues of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, we come to realize a profound truth: whether we are reborn as humans, ascend to the heavenly realms, attain Nirvana, or fall into the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, or animals, this destiny is determined not by others, but by ourselves.

 

 The short retreat lasts only seven days, yet it is a truly remarkable opportunity for us. The peaceful and liberated horizon cannot exist without genuine practitioners, enlightened masters, wise lecturers, and the retreats lovingly organized by the temple. Moreover, the Buddha himself affirmed that every person has the capacity to attain enlightenment and to realize the true nature of all things. This truth inspires us to deepen our aspiration to study and practice Dharma. And indeed, what blessing could be greater than the blessing of being mindful, sincerely reciting the Buddha’s name, and steadfastly walking upon the very path of liberation that the Buddha himself once trod?

 

 Proud! Honored! Joyful! Time has flown swiftly, and the retreat has now come to an end. As we return to our families, our hearts are filled with immense gratitude toward the Buddha and our beloved Hoang Phap Temple.

 

We earnestly pray for the blessings of the Triple Gem to grant our Venerable Master a long life, so that he may continue to be a steady pillar upon whom we, the disciples, can always rely on. We also pray that the monastic monks, venerable teachers, and all the Sangha members of the temple be blessed with good health, boundless energy, and unwavering strength to carry out their noble and sacred mission of guiding beings toward liberation and enlightenment.

 

 With deep respect, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all benefactors, generous donors, and dedicated volunteers. May peace and happiness follow you in all endeavors. Every achievement of this retreat has arisen from countless favorable conditions converging together, and we sincerely honor the great merits of all.

 

 The seven-day retreat has beautifully embodied the philosophy that “the Buddha’s teachings in this world are not separated from worldly affairs.” This principle harmonizes with the moral, cultural, and religious life of the Vietnamese people who always weave spirituality into their daily living, thereby creating a fabric of genuine peace and happiness for all beings.

 

Such achievements are a continuation of the noble legacy handed down by our predecessors. The path of propagating the true Dharma and bringing relief to sentient beings has carried the flow of history forward overcoming countless obstacles yet steadily developing and flourishing amidst a life full of temptations and impermanence.

 

 Once again, we offer our sincere gratitude to Hoang Phap Temple and to everyone who has made their contributions.

 

 Hoang Phap, April 20th, 2025

 

Best Regards,

 

 

 Nguyễn Thanh Thảo -Dharma name Liên Thảo

Translated into English by Thai Nhuoc Don