Retreat Day for Student

 After breakfast, the students gathered in the main auditorium to attend a short chant session, from the monks’ instructions. “Repentance on the six senses” is known as a significant repentance text for the Buddhists in general and young people particularly with the spiritual purpose of cultivation.

Subsequently, they listened to Reverend Thich Tam Chanh’s Dhrama talk on “Idleness”.

Having realized its potential risks, how can we treat our laziness? The question was first emphasized to the students that no matter who they are and what situation they are facing, it is essential to find a life goal and have it achieved with well-planned steps and constant efforts. Second, owing to the fact that every great journey starts with a first step, it is important that students divide their long-run plan into smaller tasks and accomplish them in order. Third, it would be easier to concentrate on the tasks if students always keep in mind a successful prospect whenever laziness, exhaustion and difficulties seem to stand in their way. Fourth, the fruitful harvest might come faster once students find what they are working on is also their passion. Last but not least, working disciplines and even pressure should be created and applied to every task so that students could bring the best of themselves into the path ahead with strength and consciousness.

 As taught by the Buddha:

To stay diligent from distraction,

To remain wide awake in a world full of delusions,

The wise must be a strong horse in his race,

Leaving the lazy one behind.

 In the afternoon, Venerable Thich Tam Nguyen, a monk of Hoang Phap Pagoda gave the students instructions on meditation, followed up by a ‘Q-A session’ in which the monks answered the students’ questions about their cultivation and life. The Dharma discourse was beneficial as the students’ questions in all aspects were raised to consult with the monks for the best solutions. The answers suggested by the monks were especially meaningful as they taught the students to adaptly apply Buddha’s teachings in order to change and overcome difficulties for a better life.

Below are recorded pictures: