Repentance ceremony on Sep. 14th, year of the Dragon

On Oct. 16th, 2024 (Sep. 14th, LC), good men and believing women inside and outside HCMC returned to Hoang Phap pagoda to attend a periodical penitential rite

Junior Thich Tam Vuong, Abbot of Tay Phap pagoda, Tay Ninh province had a dharma talk named An old boat returns to the origin dock for all Buddhists before the rite.

 

Each of us is like a boat drifting aimlessly with karma in dire need of a place to return to a harbor as in the vast stream of life and death. Thanks to good fortune, we are born as human and even more when we meet the Buddha Dharma and practice according to the Buddha's teachings. He has clearly explained the boat of a Buddhist finds a harbor when it returns to take refuge in the Triple Gem and comply with five precepts it has received. This is the safest and best place to return to, and only by staying at this harbor can we have the ability and opportunity to transform all suffering, and manage the karma of thoughts, words, and actions. By practicing the Buddha's teachings, practitioners benefit not only themselves but also others and move towards a better society.

 

From the Venerables’ teachings, the monk reminded all attendees to diligently chant sutras, recite Buddha's name, be vegetarian, and should do good deeds. Buddhists need to follow Five Precepts, create merit to be peaceful, purify body and mind, reduce afflictions, increase compassion and wisdom. Cultivation is to sow good seeds so that we can continue to be born as humans and study Buddhism in the future life, like a boat with a captain steering the boat with wisdom to reach the destination of peace and happiness.

 

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

 

 

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