Second day of Summer Retreat 2023

The morning of July 10th, 2023 is the second day of the retreat. Young practitioners start a new day with exercise, mingle with nature to enjoy the fresh air of dawn.

After breakfast, the students gathered at the lecture halls to listen to teachings preached by Senior Thich Nhat Tu, Vice Principal of Vietnam Buddhist University, Vice of Central International Buddhism Board, Abbot of Giac Ngo pagoda (HCMC) with the topic named Blooming the flower of the mind.

The Senior explained the meaning of the lotus symbol in Buddhism in the colors as white, red, blue, yellow, etc; In terms of philosophy, the lotus is superior to other flowers, used by many religions. In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes many meanings, especially to indicate wisdom. In order to help the blooming person ‘s mind flower, (developing its potential strength to become its potential ability being a Buddha: discovering Buddha nature, Buddha moral qualities, becoming a Buddha in the future) it is necessary to have a correct method in a cultivator practice.

In order to help the potential to become a reality, we must afford, strive, and persevere extremely to excel in order to turn our dreams into reality.

 We cannot know our true abilities until we strive beyond our ordinary abilities. By the way, he shared about the abortion problem among young people in Vietnam and around the world.

Conditions for a lotus bud to become a blooming lotus flower:

- Its own conditions: need great vision; right method, right effort; don't give up halfway.

- Favorable conditions: family strength; healthy body; timely period; action advantage.

Necessary conditions for lotus to grow: live in a suitable environment; close to a good person; correct viewpoint; diligently doing good.

The process of buds becoming flowers is a natural process, but it really needs a lot of conditions of water, soil, manure, light, human care; all are not natural, we have to invest in completion for our life.

We should not think there is no need to do anything, just inherit the parents’ property. Anything that is not exchanged with effort and striving, we will not appreciate it and the risk of losing it is very high. When being born in a poor family is not our fault, but growing up sustainably poor is the fault of each of us.

Then, the Venerable guided all of them some exercises for good health, and answered listeners’ questions around the lecture's topic and life's problems.

The students chanted Ullambana sutra in the evening to understand the grace of their parents.

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