One Day Retreat for Students

On the evening of August 10th, 2024 before the practice day, thousands of the young eagerly returned to the pagoda waiting for One-Day Retreat for Students to be held tomorrow morning.

After registering and receiving passing cards, young participants gathered at Dharma-Wheel Building to participate in the "Candle lighting ceremony to commemorate compatriots killed by natural disasters and floods."

The students welcomed the monks coming to the Dharma-Wheel Building to celebrate the ceremony in a solemn and respectful atmosphere at 7:30 p.m. 

The Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, Head of the Organizers, Junior Thich Tam Truong had words of sympathy for the people suffering from natural disasters and floods in the North before offering incense and lighting candles to pray. 

Typhoon Yagi has left behind many losses and damages to our compatriots. Following the instructions of the Patriarch and Most Master, the Abbot made a donation to Buddhist schools in the North from the NCT Education Talent Monk Fund. During the trip, he and all monks witnessed the devastation of the typhoon. Although we do not have the means to support all the difficulties and losses, we should share and pray for those in the flood-hit areas. 

We receive many values of the lesson about impermanence: 

+ The impermanent body is the process of birth - aging - sickness - death of human life. 

+ The impermanent mind is the moment of love, anger, or hate, ... 

+ The impermanent situation changes, the impact makes people lose property, life, good relationships, ... 

We will live better and more positively when we understand impermanence, accepting change, calmly accepting good or bad things; Helping us live fully in the present, reducing worries about the future or not regretting the past; Creating motivation for us to change ourselves, improve ourselves every day; Learning compassion, sharing, helping those in difficult circumstances; Spreading the spirit of national solidarity expressed concrete actions by giving material and spiritual gifts. 

The Monks and young people offered incense and lit candles to pray, sending their condolences to the families of compatriots who died in natural disasters and floods. 

Nearly 1000 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 Sep. 15th, 2024. 

At 05: a.m, there is a meditation sitting session and reading the article "Remembering Gratitude" compiled by Most Thich Chan Tinh. As a result, they will understand more about the gratitude to the parents, teachers, the Triple Gem, the country and those around.  

At 07: 30 a.m, the mass chanted Eight-thing and Compassion Sutra then sat quietly. 

At 09:00, the students listened to a Dharma talk named What sky is without storms, preached by Junior Thich Quang An, Lecturer of Tan Binh District Buddhist Primary School. 

Everyone has experienced difficulties and uncertainties in life because of storms coming from the nature or from the inside thoughts. According to researchers, storms are formed by two causes: Objective from nature such as water vapor, wind, temperature... is the operation of the universe; Subjective is from humans affecting nature too much. 

Therefore, we must be aware of protecting the environment, avoiding impacts on the earth from now on. The young generation will inherit and develop the country in the future, awareness of protecting the natural environment is very important. 

It is difficult to avoid disappointment in life, but what is important is how we face it. The monk reminds listeners to face difficulties, stand up strong as Buddha taught "light your own torch and go"; Stay calm to find out the cause, restrain your six senses, avoid contact with negative things; Equip yourself with the inner strength and necessary skills to face and overcome storms. At the same time, we do not depend on the praise and criticism of others, and know how to adapt to fate in the true sense. In today's society, technology is developed, you can easily access the media. There is a lot of unverified information, we should not easily become victims of negative media but need to be alert and clear-headed. 

We need to equip ourselves with 5 habits before the storms of life: Do not get angry; Do not care about other people's business or incorrect comments about yourself; Do not complain; Do not be obsessed; Be grateful. Furthermore, young people should spend time going to the temple to study the Dharma, listen to the Buddha's teachings, be close to good teachers and good friends to nurture a kind heart, build a moral foundation, and maintain faith in the face of gossip. 

After the Dharma talk, he spent 15 minutes answering questions from the practitioners about the lecture and applying the Buddha's teachings in life. 

All students interact and chat directly with the talented and courageous 9X Business Guest - Tue Nghi - one of 10 people receiving the Asia - Pacific Outstanding Business Star and Leadership Award 2013 in the inspirational program 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩. 

 Businessman Tue Nghi spreads positive energy to young people about the will to strive for success. With her achievements, she shares with them, lessons learned from herself. She has advice on the thoughts of young people such as how to work without pressure, have a lot of money and want to heal ... as well as motivating students to overcome difficulties, respond skillfully to public opinion and negative emotions. 

After the sharing, Tuệ Nghi conducted the exchange and answered questions from the practitioners. 

The day of practice ended with the joy of the young. Before leaving, the organizers gave each of them a Dharma book gift. 

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