Repentance ceremony on April 14th, Year of the Cat

On June 1st, 2023 (April 14th, Year of the Cat), good men and believing women inside and outside HCMC returned to Hoang Phap pagoda to attend the periodical penitential ceremony.

Before the rite, Junior Thich Tam Dieu, monks of the pagoda gave a dharma talk named "Meaning of Buddha's Birthday".

Towards the Buddha's Birthday, the Junior reviewed some aspects of the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. By the story of the Buddha's previous lives, the monk explained the causes and conditions of the Buddha's vow to be born in the Saha world, the land of uncleanness, suffering and opening up the path of peace and happiness for sentient beings in Three realms.

Why did His will choose the situation of perfect appearance of blessings? It's all because of the will to transform and save sentient beings. Being born into a noble royal family with all five worldly desires, but he recognized the truth of life, he renounced everything, determined to leave home to seek liberation and bring the light of enlightenment to mankind. From His own life, the Buddha showed the path to the liberation of birth and death of oneself for sentient beings. Rebirth or falling hell, good or bad, luckiness or unluckiness... are all created karma of each person, not given by any god. The Buddha is the one who shows the way, going or not is for each person to decide for themselves. As a disciple of the Buddha, we must try to cultivate so that there is always the Buddha's birth in our hearts at all times, not just waiting for the full moon in lunar April. Buddha or ghost are created by our mind. If we practice diligently that pure body and mind is extremely joyful, don't have to wait until we give up our body then being reborn in Pure Land.

After the Dharma talk, the mass entered the penitential ritual as usual.

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