One-Day Retreat at Phuc Hoa Pagoda

On the morning of July, 22nd, 2016 (June, 17th Monkey Year), a peaceful one-day retreat was held at Phuc Hoa Pagoda, Truc Hoa village, Thach Hoa commune, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi.

In response of Senior Ven. Thich Tam Hoa, abbot of Hoa Phuc pagoda and the head of the organization, Ven. Thich Quang Phuoc, abbot of My Thach pagoda located in Chu Se district, Gia Lai province, gave a Dharma talk of "Avalokiteshvara’s vows."

As we know, the statue of Avalokitesvara does not only exit in domestic and international pagoda, but also in current life. This is such a prayer - "Mother of Compassion" will protect us in peace with outstretched arms. “If ones having trouble, sincerely pray and recite Avalokitesvaraand, flame will not burn, water will not flow, devil will not do harm, chain will not tie, darkness will become lightening, enmity will become friendship.

 

 After 2 hours, Venerable Thich Quang Phuoc helped Buddhists know more vows of Avalokitesvara.

At the same day, from the agreement of the abbot, the representatives of the Action & Associated Center for the Environment and Development (CHANGE) with the WildAid organization in Vietnam hold event: “Vietnamese Buddhists join hands to protect rhinoceros " , within the project " Stop using rhino horn " at the temple campus.

 

It is known that this is one of the activities within communications program in order to raise awareness of Vietnamese Buddhist about the sales and usage of rhino horn in particular and products from wild animals in general.

 

With desire of spreading the message of the Buddhists’ mercy and wisdom in every region of country in rhinoceros protection, the first event in the series of project expanding to the North was held in Hoa Phuc Temple and received enthusiastic response of the monks and more than 1,000 Buddhists.

 

 During the program, Venerable Thich Tam Hoa had a brief sharing with Buddhists.

 Buddhists should remember 5 basic prohibitions. The first one, slaughter, is the most important. All of things being alive are not intentionally killed, or we do not told others to kill them, or consume creatures that others killed. Thus, if Buddhists use rhino horn, you indirectly commit prohibition of slaughter which the Buddha forbade his disciples. So the Ven. wish the Buddhists absolutely do not consume or support consuming rhino horn or products made from wild animals and rare.

 

Finally, he sent good wishes to the Buddhists: diligent cultivation. Also, Buddhists should apply the spirit of Mercy &Wisdom to daily life for all creatures in life to enjoy peace and happiness.

 

Here are some photos: