The 19th Program of “Basic Dharma Study”

In order that Buddhists get good condition to learn about Buddhism, on August 31st, 2015 (Lunar July 18th, Goat Year) Hoang Phap pagoda held the 19th Program of Basic Dharma study. Almost 1000 Buddhists gathered in main hall to attend after registration for the 80th Seven – day Retreat.

On this program, Junior Venerable Thich Minh Thanh, the Abbot of Phap An sanctum (Bao Loc – Lam Dong), Buddhist teacher of High – Intermediate Institute in HCM City presented in Hoang Phap pagoda to instruct the Dharm. On the theme “the meaning of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s image”, the Ven. presented clearly about image, virtue and Dharma practice of Bodhisattva who has great influence in Mahayana Buddhism.

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has great mercifulness. She always helps living beings direct to the paths of enlightenment. She listens to the cry of beings to relieve. So Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is the embodiment of mercy. The image of Bodhisattva with a pot of Pure Water means solemn moral. The Nectar Water of Immortality shows the sense of mercy. Willow branches mean patience. In life, if we vow on Bodhicitta and want to relieve beings, we must get tranquil moral, great sense of mercy and patience.

Bodhisattva has other name “Sovereign Regarder” because of wisdom to realize essence of human universe. It’s imitative – miserable – sunyata – impermanent – nonego. So she is satisfied in life without influence of praise and blame, world’s decadence and prosperity. Thence she appears with 32 incarnations to educate all elements without obstacle.

We learn Bodhisattva’s virtue that is listening to reduce sorrow in life – listening to know – know to sympathize – sympathy to love, share and help. We should not only vow by words, but also practise Bodhisattva’s virtue to bring about peace for ourselves and everybody.

The following are recorded images: