The 1st Retreat "The path leading to right direction" at Dong Cao Pagoda, Thanh Hoa

In order to create conditions for Buddhist families, volunteers, and youth of Dong Cao Pagoda Club after many months of supporting temple affairs, on July 18th, 2023 (May 22th, LC), Dong Cao Pagoda in Thanh Hoa province (belonging to the Hoang Phap’s custom) continued to organize the retreat named 1st the path leading right direction for all Buddhists to attend.

After receiving the retreat’s card, Junior Thich Tam Hung, Abbot of Dong Cao instructed the mass to chant Ksitigarbha sutra.

Next, the mass prepared vegetarian meals to give to patients being treated at Nga Son General Hospital.

At 9a.m, the mass and the pagoda’s Abbot arrived at the market at Nga Son district to buy fish, then come to Hung Long River to vow, and hold a rite setting free into nature. The temple's practitioners have bought fresh fruits to sow good conditions for small sellers at the market. Next, the mass returned to the temple, chanted the Eightfold Path of sutra, and performed the offering of a meal early in the month.

Ending the practice time in the morning, the mass had a lunch in mindfulness.

 All practitioners chanted together the sutra of  Eliminating Sins, Longevity; reciting the Buddha name in walking meditation, as well as offering their vows in the afternoon. With the enthusiasm of the mass, Buddhists of the retreat and monks came to the house of Nguyen Thi Hien who had difficult circumstances in Yen Khoai, Nga Yen, Nga Son, Thanh Hoa to visit and give spiritual gifts (1 envelope of 1,000,000 VND, 1 box of noodles, 1 bottle of cooking oil...).

The tea meditation program helps Buddhist families, teenagers, and volunteers after months of service to have time, sit beside monks and co-cultivators to share the energy of practice and obstacles in the evening.

The cultivation day closed in joy of the mass.

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