One Day Retreat for Student

On the evening of Sep. 30th, 2023 before the practice day, thousands of young people eagerly returned to the pagoda waiting for the One-Day Retreat for students to be held tomorrow morning.

After registering and receiving pass cards on Saturday night, students gathered together in front of the main hall to come to the Full-Moon Festival program during the Mid-Autumn season.

After the extremely beautiful performances of Phuong Anh Duong Lion-Dragon Group, Junior Thich Tam Truong - Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda gave Dharma words to the young people. He hopes listeners reflect on the childhood they have gone through. Thanks to our parents, we have this body, everything material, a peaceful and happy childhood with family and friends, and the opportunity to participate in memorable full moon festivals ...so we must know how to be grateful and repay our parents' merit. This festival is a chance for us to learn the virtues of children: innocence, purity, joy, forgiveness and friendliness. The moonlight on a full moon night also symbolizes the Buddha's wonderful teachings. Wherever His light of wisdom and love spreads, the darkness of ignorance is repelled, erasing the suffering of sentient beings in the three realms and six paths. The attendees who have conditions to return to the temple should connect to good monks and friends, learn the teachings, and comply with five precepts they have taken; thus, applying the Dharma learned in everyday life not only brings benefits and happiness to ourselves but also spreads it to those around us.

Next, it proceed with the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern procession in the temple ground to the bustling sound of lion drums on the festival night.

Nearly 2500 students from colleges and universities inside and outside Ho Chi Minh City returned to Hoang Phap Pagoda to attend One Day Retreat for Students on Oct. 01st, 2023.

 By the guidance of monks, a meditation sitting session started with cool weather in the morning to receive positive energy for a new day full of happiness.

 At 7h 30 a.m, young learners chanted the sutra of Eight things - Loving mind and meditation sitting.

 After that, the participants listened to a Dharma talk given by Senior Thich Chanh Dinh - Member of the Central Dharma Propagation Board of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Lecturer of Vietnam Buddhist University - Abbot of Tam Phuoc Pagoda (Dong Nai) shared the topic named Taking suffering as the foundation.

 We have created more or less good-bad karma in life. When retribution comes, we rejoice if it is good; so how can we accept and overcome bad consequences?

 From here, he pointed out the practice method to transform suffering in life. As disciples of Buddhism, Buddhists need to understand and deeply believe in cause and effect. When hoping for good results, we must sow good causes. The mind thinks good things, the body does good things, the mouth speaks good words not just by wishing for getting it.  Practicing does not mean we are afraid of suffering, but we know how to use suffering as the foundation for practice. The first sermon the Buddha preached after attaining enlightenment was the Four Noble Truths: these are suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the way to lead its cessation.

Suffering stems from ignorance and craving. The Eightfold Path is considered the most basic foundation of the path leading to the end of suffering: Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

No one can avoid suffering in life; the important thing is that each person's attitude towards receiving suffering (in practice and without practice) is different, leading to its different feelings.

A practitioner is like a soldier fighting against the enemy of afflictions that impact from the inside to the outside. Strong practitioners must master the body and mind, control the emotions, so no matter what suffering our encounter, it is not important. When we know how to use suffering as a material to practice, overcome adversity and obstacles, we are progressing on the path of peace and enlightenment.

 Guest singer Vo Ha Tram in the inspirational 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 interacted with students in the afternoon.

She told about her reasons for coming to Buddhism and the positive changes Buddhism brings in her life. Even though she is a public figure with a busy life from work to family, she still keeps her practice schedule and has maintained a vegetarian diet for 13 years. She encouraged young people to go to the temple, learn about Buddhism, regularly listen to monks preach and find a spiritual refuge to help us overcome pressures, obstacles and sadness in life. After the sharing session, she spent more than 15 minutes answering listeners' questions about issues such as: How to practice vegetarianism; How to eat vegetarian for good health; Applying Buddha's teachings to daily life helps lead a peaceful and happy life. Besides, young people also enjoy songs performed by the powerful voice of Buddhist singer Vo Ha Tram.

The day of practice ended with the joy of the young people. Before leaving, the organizers gave each of them a Dharma gift, the book "With All Your Heart" compiled by Most Thich Chan Tinh.

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