The Joyful One-Day Retreat at Hoa Phuc Pagoda

Continuing usual cultivation for Buddhists who practice the section of the Pure Land, Hoa Phuc Pagoda formally organized the one-day retreat of joyfulness for nearly 1,000 attendants.

Regardless of the unstable weather of rains and storms, response to the invitation from Junior Ven. Thich Tam Hoa, Abbot of Hoa Phuc Pagoda, Junior Ven. Thich Tam Dai, Abbot of Lam Phap Pagoda (Lam Dong) came to the pagoda to have a dharma talk on the theme of “Why do we have a harsh speech to each other?”

The Buddha taught that there are three kinds of people with such three speeches as the one as flowers, as rubbish, and as honey. The Junior lecturer analized the different points from which he helped people understand how important speech is and what speech could helps us be peaceful at present and in the future. First, how to say, to praise or to criticize should be in right time and place, as well as it must be cautious repeatedly before our saying words which could cause bad conditions. Moreover, he conducted four kinds of people in life as following, such as Buddha’s speeches from snake’s mind, snake’s speeches from Buddha’s mind, snake’s speeches from snake’s mind, Buddha’s speeches from Buddha s’mind.

By viewpoint of Buddhism, the beauty of mind is important. The outside appearance is not necessary. The achievement of cultivators is to gain good and virtuous notion, then transfer it to the body, mouth, thinking, and cultivate to obtain happiness without misery. Thus, we are in harsh argument because of disagreement of viewpoint and thinking. Proverd said: â€œWhile a husband angries, his wife should be quiet. Boiled rice should be reduced its fire; the rice will never burn black. Happiness means sincere emotions between others to others.

In the evening of the same day, Hoa Phuc pagoda formally welcomed Junior Ven. Thich Giac Nguyen, the Vice of the Board of Sangha affairs, including of the Vice of Propagation Board of Vietnam Buddhist Association in Tien Giang Province, the Chief of Buddhist Director Board at Go Cong town in Tien Giang Province, Abbot of Hue Quang Pagoda, who came to the pagoda and gave some encouragements to Buddhists here. He reviewed the Buddha’steachings, such as a friend as flowers, a friend as a tree, a friend as land, etc. Therefore, when we have delight, happiness or achievements, we should share with our friends, so that it could help them obtains good results like us.

The same thing on the religious path, we need get good friends, wisdom teachers who could lead us toward enlightenment. When we go far journey, we need have good teachers, good friends, and order journey, enough courage. We will not feel of fearing. With that reason, on final chanting, we will transform our merits. We don’t pray for our wealth or positions in society, we only wish that we will reduce our three obstacles of sufferings; we will gain our endless wisdom. Our cultivating doesn’t face with difficulties; we will get happy and peaceful. The Buddha taught that His life exists on this world; His teachings are like a lighthouse shining to all beings at dark night. What He said meant He had had practice, proof, achievement. Thus, He reminded His disciples who should try their abilities to gain enlightenment.

 Below are some photos from the event: