Repentance ceremony on May 14th, Year of the Snake

On June 09th, 2025 (May 14th, Year of the Snake), men and women Buddhists inside and outside HCMC returned to Hoang Phap pagoda to attend a periodical penitential ceremony.

Repentance ceremony on May 14th, Year of the Snake

 

 

On June 09th, 2025 (May 14th, Year of the Snake), men and women Buddhists inside and outside HCMC returned to Hoang Phap pagoda to attend a periodical penitential ceremony.

 

Manager of Pho Hien ashram, Junior Thich Tam Hong gave a dharma talk named “Having no me” to the mass before the rite.

 

If the world had a true self, all dharmas would certainly be fixed and unchanging. However, dharmas are inherently selfless, so they arise and develop in an endless stream depending on conditions.

The body and mind of human beings are composed of five aggregates, and all arise from the combination of countless causes and conditions, meaning there is no independent, permanent self.

 

Because of the attachment to the idea that “I” is real, discrimination and attachment give rise to afflictions and insecurity. Thus, one should often contemplate the dharma of non-self, clearly realizing they are not real, then one immediately let go of attachments, afflictions will decrease, and the mind will be at peace.

 

To practice recognizing non-self, one should practice some methods such as:

 

- Regularly contemplate causes and conditions, clearly seeing that “I” is just a false name without any real individuals.

 

- Do not be stubborn with one’s own point of view.

 

- Regularly practice giving, service, and dedication to everyone.

 

When the mind is not stubborn about the self and what is mine, compassion is vast and wisdom is clear. Realizing this non-self, life will be peaceful and at ease, which is the attainment of Nirvana.

 

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

 

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