Repentance ceremony on March 14th, Year of the Dragon

On April 22th, 2024 (March 14th, Year of the Dragon), 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 Huynh, monks of Hoang Phap pagoda had a dharma talk named "Merit of Ordination" to share with Buddhists.

Many conflicting public opinions in today's society greatly affect the image of monks in particular and Buddhism in general.

In Ekottara-Agama volume III, chapter 40 has the sutra "The merit of Ordination" that teaches the merit of becoming a monk is inconceivable; Practicing mindfulness will achieve immeasurable merit and blessings. The Buddha clearly taught: The retribution of sin is terrible for those who hinder and cut off the fate of those who become monks; Great blessings for those who help and support the monks to practice and study.

He explained the merits and benefits of Ordination to its cultivator and others.

* Benefits for ourself:

- Keep three karma of body, speech, and mind pure and kind.

- Comply with solemn precepts.

- Obtain the property of saints.

- Commendation spreads far and wide.

- Not afraid of crowded places.

- When being at death’s door, body-mind practitioners are not afraid and do not waver.

- Ability to achieve enlightenment in this life or the next life.

* Benefit others:

- Be a spiritual fulcrum for many people.

- Help people learn to take refuge in the Three Jewels and live a good and noble life.

- Share Buddha's teachings so that everyone can recognize the truth, open their minds, distinguish between right and wrong, and follow the right path.

- Organize Buddhist ceremonies, leading people to remember their spiritual roots to be grateful and show gratitude to their parents and grandparents.

- Guide Buddhists to practice dharma methods to transform their body and mind.

- Hold retreats, creating opportunities for people to return to their pure nature and progress on liberation and enlightenment.

- Organize charity programs and activities, support difficult situations, share love to nurture compassion.

Thanks to the preaching, he helped all listeners have the right view, maintain the faith in the Three Jewels, accumulate merit and blessings for themselves, and advance further on the practice.

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

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