Repentance ceremony on Feb. 14th, Year of the Cat

Before the rite, Junior Thich Tam Sy, monks of the pagoda gave a dharma talk named Practice according to the Buddha's teachings.

We go to the temple to hear the monks preach about precepts, have the foundation of devout Buddhists, that is, trust in the Three Jewels, keep the precepts and give generously. When the World-Honored One was in the world, He lectured on giving and observing the precepts, about the happiness and pleasures of heaven, as well as its dangers. From there, He preached on the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the way to the cessation of suffering.

Over an hour teaching on precepts and dangers of sensual pleasures, the Junior pointed out the main causes of suffering are ignorance and craving, pleasures of six senses, craving for a better realm, the desires associated to wrong views and permanent views, so each Buddhist should always be vigilant with himself. The Buddha taught lay Buddhists, there are four ways of dividing assets: paying off old debts, lending new debts, throwing them into a pit, saving it for the next life. At the same time, each person needs to practice four pure precepts: Less looking, hearing, not judging; control and protect six senses; regulate eating and living activities; always be mindful. The mass heard the Buddha's teachings by the lecture, taking it as the knowledge in practice to have peace and happiness in this life and in future lives.

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

Images recorded: