The motion of the Dhamma Wheel

One light sunny Sunday afternoon at Hoang Phap Pagoda..!

 

Today, after having finished a one-day retreat, she finished cleaning up when a gentle breeze suddenly blew, making her rejoice. She sat down, took a deep breath, and felt extremely happy because she was here—at Hoang Phap Pagoda. This happiness was certainly right, because when we desire to live a good life, this place is full of the elements that create a wonderful life.

 

Firstly, the delighted people from young to old, from big to small—cheerfully hold hands to participate in the one-day retreat. At the pagoda, there are eleven retreats held throughout twelve months of a year to everyone. I am glad to think that because it is only one day, and on Sunday. It is easy for everyone to arrange their schedules and gather to cultivate at the pagoda. The retreat organizes to help countless people who return taking refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha - the Dharma - the Sangha. Life is really busy, and people are always surrounded by food, clothing, and money. It is difficult for them to find joy and peace for themselves. Therefore, the establishment and continuation of the retreats to this day has brought countless benefits, both spiritual and material. Returning to the pagoda, Buddhists are satisfied with not only Dhamma but also physical training. The pagoda always prepares many meal boxes so that the Buddhists can focus on their practice without worrying about costs, even if they receive gifts to take home.

 

After the one-day retreat, there is the retreat “Young Children Return to the Buddha” held once a month. This is an opportunity for parents to nurture and guide their young children. Although it is called a retreat, it is plentiful and diverse; Children can play and learn—learning how to become good people and live a virtuous life. Parents also have the chance to hear spiritual teachers share how to educate their children about obedience and morals through “the Children’s Lesson Book”, and there are also excellent teachers from well-known schools sharing their insights. The retreat has helped strengthen the bond between children and their family, making parents more aware of the importance of raising their children. After each retreat, the children receive many gifts such as comic books, candies, toys… It is truly joyful! Seeing everyone happy, it also brought happiness to her.

 

After the 'babies' retreats, there are sessions for university students. The pagoda also organizes monthly cultivation sessions for young people. The Master and the venerable monks are very thoughtful, inviting inspirational speakers, entrepreneurs, and celebrities to interact with the students to motivate them to get ahead in their studies and life. At the same time, “hot” spiritual teachers are also invited, such as Bhikkhu Tam Nguyen, Bhikkhu Tam Tien, Bhikkhu Minh Niem, and Bhikkhu Giac Minh Luat… There are a large number of young participants at each retreat. At its peak, there were nearly twenty thousand participants so the venerable monks at the kitchen had to cook noodles all night. Just thinking about that made her smile because the future generation of the country has a wonderful playground and a nurturing place for their souls.

  

Then she suddenly remembered the seven-day retreats. The pagoda follows the Pure Land teaching so the Abbot organized over one hundred seven-day retreats in March, July, and November every year. On those days, the serene chanting of the Buddha's name, blended with the peaceful scenery, made the pagoda more solemn. The retreats did not have an age limit, someone who wanted to cultivate themselves could participate. Although there were about a few thousand participants every retreat, it was not quiet and disorderly. After her inquiries, she found out that, thanks to the pagoda's established regulations and the reminders from the supervising monks, everyone followed very well, helping to keep a solemn and pure atmosphere for cultivation. It was very easy for the Buddhists to approach and mingle quickly with the set schedule. At the end of the retreats, everyone also received gifts of Dhamma, which were truly valuable and meaningful. 

 

Thinking about this, she suddenly remembered summer retreats. These retreats are like summer rains. And it’s true! During one week of summer vacation, students return to the pagoda to cultivate. The retreats allow them to have fun; the venerable monks organize many traditional games such as shuttlecock kicking, jumping rope, and Dragon Snake. The students laugh out loud. Oh, childhood returned! The exercise sessions create good habits for the participants in the morning, and are also held regularly. The highlight of the retreat is the "Hoang Phap's Got Talent" competition, which supports young people with the opportunity not only to express but also explore themselves with a wholesome mind. This is really special, and the most profound aspect is the Ullumbana chanting sessions and the reports on the silent sacrifices of parents. The teachings seem to reshape wandering souls and the lost feet, and deepen in each child's mind the great love of their parents. After the retreats, countless families have sung the song "Happiness." Thanks to the Buddha, the world is less suffering and more peaceful. She silently prays His supreme virtues.

 

Suddenly, a bicycle passed by quickly, reminding her of the flower parade around the city and vicinity. But she wondered what the parade was for. She recalled…oh, it was the Buddha's Birthday celebration on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month! The pagoda encouraged everyone to hang flags and build the Lumbini park. It did not only honor the Buddha but also receive gifts! The pagoda even had a team that awarded certificates of appreciation and offered Dharma gifts. Oh, the disciples of the Buddha were really wonderful!

 

"A mother’s heart is as vast as the Pacific Ocean... " The song echoed, making her remember the last Vu Lan season. Because she was busy assisting the venerable monks, she only sent gifts and phoned to wish her parents well! But her whole family encouraged her to assist the pagoda, which made her very happy. Thanks to the Buddha, her whole family became Buddhist devotees who sacrificed small benefits for greater ones. At The Ullumbana celebration, she heard that a singer was invited to perform so everyone would get to listen to songs filled with love. She was also very excited!

 

The Master always emphasizes gratefulness and repayment, so the commemoration day on October 16th is treated as an opportunity for all monks and Buddhists to reflect on the noble virtues of the founder of Hoang Phap Pagoda. On this occasion, everyone has the chance to be close to the Teacher and friends, and immerses themselves in the flow of Dhamma which continues from the Elder Master to the Master and now to the Master and disciples.

 

After the commemoration day, the pagoda continues to prepare for the Amitabha Buddha ceremony. She observed that in the exhibition room, there were several Guinness World Records of Vietnam for the achievements of the pagoda. Among these, the Amitabha Buddha ceremony has attracted many cameramen and Buddhists from everywhere to the pagoda for the gathering. It might be because the pagoda organized a copious and diverse program that everyone eagerly attended the yearly ceremony on November 17th.

  

All the ceremonies are open to everyone. To profoundly appreciate them, one must be a Buddhist; and to become a Buddhist, the pagoda organizes three ordination ceremonies each year for those who want to take refuge in the Three Jewels. The specific dates for each retreat are also noted on the pagoda’s calendar, which she also often shares with everyone.

 

To end the long series of ceremonies and retreats, the arrival of spring and the Lunar New Year serves as an intersection point. For Tet at the pagoda, the venerable monks prepare a month in advance a lot of eye-catching models and decorations. Visitors to the pagoda not only pay homage to the Buddha, but also receive lucky money at the beginning of the new year, and take home beautiful photos. When they are tired of playing, they can relax in the canteen, which offers many delicious and affordable food and drinks. In the past, there was no canteen, but the Master noticed that the monks and nuns, as well as hardworking students facing difficulties, wanted to get ahead so he opened the canteen to establish the "Intellectual Seed Fund" and the "Training Fund for Monks of Talent" to offer annual scholarships up to several billion dong.

 

Reflecting on what occurred throughout a year, she feels truly blessed to have met kind teachers, good friends, a peaceful community, and a “fertile field of merit”. All the retreats, ceremonies, and Buddhist events at Hoang Phap pagoda are organized completely free of charge, with the support for food, accommodation, and medication, to create favorable conditions for everyone to cultivate. With the dedicated guidance and boundless love of the “Messengers of the Tathagata”, many people have learned to return and rely on the shelter of Hoang Phap pagoda to cultivate and serve. In the future, this generation will become the messengers who extend the hand to propagate the Dhamma for the benefit of humanity, the country, and all beings.

 

Happy is birth of the awakened ones.

Happy is teaching of the True Dhamma.

Happy is unity of the Sangha.

Happy is austerity of the united.

(Verse 194 of the Dhammapada- translated into English by Late Venerable Thich Minh Chau)

 

 

 Phước Huệ

Translated into English by Ho Thuy Duong