Sunday, 04/19/2026
One Day Retreat for Students
Update: 11/08/2024
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After registering and receiving pass cards, young participants gathered at Dharma-Wheel Building to participate in the program "Ullambana Ceremony for the Young" in the season of Filial Piety.
The students welcomed the monks to the Dharma-Wheel Building, celebrating the Ullambana ceremony in a solemn and emotional atmosphere at 7:30 p.m.
After announcing the reason, introducing the program and the participants, the young respectfully offered fresh flowers to the Buddha and current monks to express their gratitude, praying for peace, health and happiness for their parents during the Ullambana season.
Next, the mass listened to the letter to Dad: Ullambana Remembrance. The students calmed their hearts with a moment of repentance and bowed in gratitude with sacred respect.
On behalf of the monks in the meaningful ceremony, Junior Thich Tam Truong - Abbot of the pagoda - Head of the Organizers had a few heartfelt words to show the attendees.
The monk recalled the filial example of Arahat Maudgalyayana to explain Ullambana meaning. He reminded Buddhists to know gratitude and repayment to their parents to nurture, respect, love, and obey five precepts of Buddhism. Then, he told the story of heavenly King Thien Tru in the Unisha Vijaja Dharani Sutra. Thanks to this, the mass clearly saw the terrible consequences of being unfilial and speaking harshly to parents. Moreover, let's cherish and love our parents while we still can, and try to live well. We sow good seeds, and we will reap good results in the future, meaning possess good, filial children and a happy and peaceful family.
The monks and young people lined candles to make offerings, sending their wholehearted thoughts to their parents at the end of the ceremony.
Over 2,500 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 Aug. 11th, 2024.
A meditation sitting to practice their gratitude mind instructed by monks at 5 a.m.
- Live exchange session at 8:00 am with guest Ms. To Nhi A, Lecturer - Member of the Scientific Council at Ho Chi Minh City Central College, Lecturer - Scientific Consultant at the Center for Applied Psychology and Career Guidance 4.0 JOBWAY, PhD in Psychology in the 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 program to inspire young people
She and students participated in some fun minigames, helping them understand and sympathize between parents - children, and how to behave skillfully to strengthen family ties.
At 09:00, the students listened to a Dharma talk named Changing a thousand autumns with Mother's laughter...preached by Junior Thich Chon Khanh - Residing of Duc Phu Pagoda - Nha Be District - Ho Chi Minh City.
Starting the journey of the human body when forming a fetus, and being born... we grow up with the years, and our mother's body gradually wears out because of the hardships and sacrifices for her children. Sometimes our actions and words make our parents sad: "Dad is so annoying!", "Mom is so sad!"... one day, even if we want our parents to bother us, they can't anymore. Don't wait until that day comes when we regret it too late that we could change time, change a thousand autumns with our mother's laughter...
If we have ever carelessly said bad words, not said good words then when Ullambana season comes, we should develop gratitude, return to our mother and father, say good words, thank them and repent for bad words, show gratitude, repay kindness... then the Ullambana season will be meaningful. Coming from a sincere and warm heart, the monk has touched the sacred feelings of filial piety towards parents of young people. Hopefully, the students will live better, love more, and cherish the sacred happiness after the retreat when their parents are still alive.
The students continued the sutra chanting of Ullambana filial piety in the afternoon.
The day of practice ended with the joy of the young. Before leaving, the organizers gave each of them a Dharma book gift.
Photos recorded:
