Regular Penitent Ceremony on Nov 02, 2017

On 02/11/2017 (Sep 14, lunar calendar), thousands of devout Buddhists from HCMC and other regions came to Hoang Phap Pagoda for regular penitent ceremony.

Before the main course, it was the Dharma talk from Venerable Thich Tam Vuong, monk from Hoang Phap Sangha, with the topic: “Four Themes for Practice”.

In secular/religious life, in order to achieve good results, we should constantly try our best. This is especially right for Buddhism practitioners. Besides diligent cultivation, we also need contemplation.

The Buddha teaches us that it is difficult to be born in human realm. We are now human, can access to Dharma and practice that. This is such a special opportunity that comes from our good karmas in the past. We need to reflect things in life to find that we are lucky and happy, to be diligent in practicing and to gain real benefits to ourselves and others. Four contemplative themes that we should do are:

- Strictly preserving and following relevant precepts as the barrier protecting us from evil.

- Contemplating the impermanence so that we can respect each moment in present and be ready for philanthropic activities.

- Mastering the cause-effect rule and applying that in every action, speech and thought to shy away from bad deeds.

- Completely living in mindfulness in every moment in dealing with ourselves and others.

These are the four practical themes in practicing that can help us ceasing evils and growing good deeds. They are also the essential fundamentals for moral and ethics.

Indeed, if we practice these four themes properly, it will help us:

- Preventing evils in future

- Ceasing evils in the past

- Promoting potential goodness in mind

- Encouraging the practice of good deeds.

If we can diligently fulfill those, the joy of liberation will surely come with us.

After the Dharma talk, the mass kept on its course of penance as usual.

Following are recorded photographs: