One Day Retreat for Student

Over 700 students from Colleges and Universities in Ho Chi Minh City came to Hoang Phap Pagoda to attend One-Day Retreat for Students on Dec. 18th, 2022 (Nov. 25th, LC).

Before that, on the evening of Dec. 17th, 2022 (Sep. 20th, LC), at the lecture hall of Dharma Wheel Building, young participants had a show exchange with enjoy some impressive performances by the Van Long Unicorn, Lion and Dragon Troupe of Dong Thap province, and the Van Anh Ethnic Band which is a unique combination of folk materials and contemporary art in music by unique songs.

In the morning, monks instructed students by the meditation session "Welcome to the sunrise" in the cool, clear weather while sitting quietly, paying attention, counting their breaths in and out....

After the time of chanting and sitting quietly, the students listen to a sharing session from Master Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan, Lecturer at Research Institute for Fostering and Developing Young Talents, Director of ATY Education System with the theme "Three Responsibilities". Each person has dreams, ambitions and goals to strive for in our lives. In order to reach for the values that we aim for, each person needs to carry out three big responsibilities first: Responsibility for themselves (words, thoughts and actions); Responsibility towards the people around and the living environment; as well as responsibility towards family members. When we have fully fulfilled these vital responsibilities, then success in life is truly meaningful and complete.

In the afternoon, there was a Dharma talk program with the topic: "Firmly walking on steps in life" shared by Senior Thich Quang Thien, Head of the Buddhist Legal Department in District 12, Professor of Buddhist Schools in and outside the City; Abbot of Tinh Quang pagoda in District 12.

Surely none of us is immune to tripping and having to pay a toll, both physically and in life. On the physical side, if we know carefully, skillfully control and maintain feeling balance, we will avoid stumbling blocks; on the road of life, it is indeed not easy to be firm in the steps, because human thoughts cannot be measured by external gestures. Young people will be easily influenced by emotions, and rush to receive, leading to wrong choices, lost directions, and stumbles that will leave great damage in life.

By the way, the Senior guided young listeners on methods to bring their mind to a state of stillness, help them stay awake to identify problems in advance, so that they can make safe choices now, and long-term in the future.

After the Dharma talk, the students joined the vegetarian buffet, which is a special year-end program organized by the Amateur Culinary Department of Hoang Phap Pagoda as thanks to all of them who have accompanied the pagoda during the past year.

When leaving, each student will receive a gift of Dharma, which is the book "Good and bad karmas of retributions".

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