The 1st "Coming Back" retreat at Dong Cao Pagoda, Thanh Hoa

In the spirit forward to the enlightenment day of Shakyamuni Buddha, Dong Cao Pagoda (Nga Yen, Nga Son, Thanh Hoa) organized the 1st "Coming Back" retreat (from Dec. 28th, to 29th, 2019) for nearly 100 local Buddhists to attend.

After the procedure for entering retreat, Junior Ven. Thich Tam Hung, Abbot of Dong Cao pagoda, chief of the Organizers had a brief talk about demeanor of the Buddhists when attending the retreat, such as joining hands, saluting, bowing ... and chanting the sutra Dhamma-cakka-ppavattana (turning - Dharma Wheel). On the same day, the mass walked, meditated, recited together the Sutta of Dharma - flower, (i.e. the Lotus Sutra) The special thing is to recite the Sutta of Transforming Teachings which is a brief words of the Buddha's teaching when he was preparing into Nirvana.

On Dec. 29th, 2019 (lunar Dec. 4th, the pig year), on the 2nd day retreat, the Abbot Ven. preached a dharma talk through the theme The Foundation of Deliverance. Through the canonical text in the Tripitaka, Monk helped the attendees better understand the Four Noble Truths that are the basis of Deliverance.

After chanting of the sutta of dharma - flower in the afternoon, the mass sat down to share their experiences about cultivation. At the end of the retreat, the Monk gave the Buddhists dharma gifts, including the History of Shakyamuni Buddha and rosary.

Some images recorded: