One-Day Retreat for Students

Over 600 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 June 08th, 2025.

One-Day Retreat for Students

 

 

Over 600 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 June 08th, 2025.

 

There is a program to exchange of Students with singers Duy Zuno, Huynh Tuan Du and guest MC Thanh Nghiem.

 

Starting the day full of energy, all students gathered in front of the main hall to exercise instructed by monks in the early morning of June 08th, 2025.

 

Next, students gathered at the Dharma Hall to participate in a Buddhist quiz show after breakfast at 08:00 a.m.

 

At 09:00, the students listened to a Dharma talk named Many thoughts or thinking too much? preached by Junior Thich Quang An, Lecturer of Tan Binh Buddhist Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City

 

Many young people today have the psychological problem of overthinking, the monk had practical advice to help the young identify and transform the suffering caused by negative thinking. Having many thoughts is normal in human life, but if thinking too much and in a negative way, making ourselves sad and miserable, it is no longer a normal manifestation but becomes a serious problem.

 

The underlying cause comes from forgetfulness, delusion and attachment when people keep thinking about the past, worrying about the future, or being too immersed in pessimistic problems and then being dominated by greed, anger and ignorance. Those thoughts make us become victims, being dragged into negative series, leading to wrong and regrettable actions.

 

To escape this situation, we need to practice mindfulness: clearly identify thoughts and suffering without identifying ourselves with these negative emotions; let go of the ego attachment full of desires. Be careful with our thoughts when we do not yet understand the cause and effect, because we can easily be overwhelmed by afflictions when dominated by greed and delusion. Practice the Buddha's teachings, live mindfully, think positively, stay focused on our breath and know to seek support from those who can support us mentally. Stay away from negative energy, close to goodness and the Three Jewels, rely on the practices to transform suffering. Renew our body and mind in a pure environment, nurture faith in our own ability to transform and become stronger. That is the path that helps attendees overcome difficult times in life towards a more mindful, peaceful and meaningful life.

 

The students continued the sutra chanting named Eight thing enlightenment - compassion mind 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.

 

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