The Third Refuge Ceremony in 2017

On Dec 10, 2017 (Oct 23, lunar calendar), Hoang Phap Pagoda held the 3rd Refuge Ceremony of 2017. More than 1400 aspirants from HCMC and other regions came to attend the event.

Taking refuge in Triratna is the first and foremost step on the way to Enlightenment, helping us improve our personality, be helpful to ourselves, our family and our society. From that point of view, Hoang Phap pagoda holds Refuge Ceremony for aspirants in every four months.

It takes one day for participants to join the entire ceremony. In the morning, everyone gathered at lecture halls for orientation course from Venerable Thich Tam Dao, Deputy Abbot of Hoang Phap, regarding Buddhism fundamentals (as taking refuge in Triratna, Five precepts, lay members, original master (holding Refuge ceremony for aspirant), abiding master (teaching religious matters to Buddhist when s/he cannot get the teachings from his/her original master due to some reasons)) and Buddhism etiquette (as pressing palm together, bowing, kowtowing, and lunch praying rite.

In the afternoon, Senior Venerable Thich Chan Tinh, Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, and clergy men officially held Buddhism Refuging rite for aspirants in the pure and respectful air of the ashram. After offering incense to Buddha, the Senior Venerable conducted rites of repentance, taking refuge in Triratna and transmitting Five precepts to aspirants. In his talk, the Senior Venerable praised the diligent spirit of participants in learning Dharma and practicing as well as encouraging the determination of practitioners on the Path to liberation.

Coming to this world, we ​​have got lots of good lucks and compounded conditions as being human, accessing to Buddhism Dhamma, taking refuge in Triratna… Especially we have got right view and right understanding deciding to be Buddhist. Normally people think whatever religion is good. In term of Buddhism, it is a wrong view that may lead practitioner to unforeseen threats as superstition, fanaticism and wrongdoing, causing bad effects/hurts to many people. We should be grateful being Buddhist and going on the way to liberation, ease and happiness.

Together with taking refuge in Triratna, abiding by Five precepts is so important. These both can help us be true and full-fledged Buddhist. Five precepts, five basic moral principles, help us perfect ourselves, drive us to the state of purity and nobleness.

After being Buddhist, it is necessary for practitioner to rely on his/her master to study and grow. On the other hand, they need to diligently go to pagoda to join Buddhism activities, listen to Dharma talk, learn Buddhism doctrine…

The ceremony closed in the joy of everyone.

In the same day, Venerable Thich Dao Quang had a Dharma talk with Hoang Phap Dharmapala group.

On this occasion, the Organizer sent Dharma gift to new Buddhists including: Book “Luoc Truyen Duc Phat Thich Ca”, DVD “Le Quy Y Tam bao”, DVD of Buddhism Etiquette and Abbot’s Message.

Following are recorded photographs:

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