Peace praying ceremony at Tay Khanh Pagoda in Thai Binh in the new year

This lunar new year, more than 500 Buddhists returned to Tay Khanh pagoda (belonging to the Hoang Phap Pagoda's sect) in Thai Binh to attend the Peaceful Praying ceremony on Jan. 26h, 2023 (Jan. 5th, year of the Cat). Praying for peace is the wish for ourselves and our loved ones to have peace, happiness, and good - smooth things in the New year.

The Abbot of Tay Khanh Pagoda, Junior Thich Tam Kinh taught about the meaning of praying for peace, and how to be at peace. In the dharma talk, the Junior reminded Buddhists not to have mere wishes or prayers, but to have specific methods to make dreams come true. The desire should be noble without contrary to cause and effect. Otherwise, it's just a futile wait. We should not hope for the supernatural power of any gods, because of creating bad karma, even if begging and worship, we will still have to reap the painful consequences. So what is the cause of peace? It is not causing trouble, insecurity for others; knowing to take refuge in Three Jewels, upholding the forbidden precepts, and living according to the Buddha's teachings is that we are sowing the peaceful cause for our own life. Having sown these good seeds, the tree of merit will sprout, and caring with the water of compassion will reap the peaceful fruit in the future without having to pray.

Thus, each person should practice diligently, often study Dharma and apply it to daily life for the family, society in each parent-child and husband-wife relationship. Once we can practice like this, we are a shining example in the family. We are Buddhists, so we must seriously practice His teachings so that our families and society can follow. Besides, devout Buddhists have the duty to advise and encourage their relatives going to the temple, and study the teachings. In the new year, we must renew ourselves, must make more progress, that is the diligent practice of the Buddha's disciples. After that, the mass performed the ritual of burning incense to the Buddha and chanting prayers for peace. The ceremony to pray for peace took place solemnly and respectfully, and was accomplished in the joy of the mass.

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