UNFORGETTABLE IMPRESSION

Hoang Phap Pagoda was founded in 1957 by Venerable Master Ngo Chan Tu (1901–1988). Through a lifetime of hardships and tribulations caused by the war, as recounted in the book series “Words He Left Behind” which was edited by the Master, his story remains truly profound and precious. It forever instills in our souls a deep love and admiration for his spirit of “sacrificing oneself for the Dharma.” Thirty-seven years had swiftly passed since the Founder entered Parinirvana, yet he remains present in the hearts of his descendants. His immense merit and virtue, along with his spirit of great heroism, great strength, and great compassion, have created sharp, indelible strokes that can never fade. His profound grace is beyond the description of any flowery words. We respectfully offer our gratitude and repayment of kindness to him; how truly great he was!

On the occasion of his memorial day (16th day of the 10th lunar month), the Founder must be very pleased and joyful to see that the Master (Most Venerable Thich Chan Tinh) has achieved glorious accomplishments, illuminating the path of the Patriarchs and the lineage of Hoang Phap ancestral temple.

 

After the Founder had passed away, the Master succeeded as Abbot until 2022. Throughout thirty-four years of ceaseless effort, not wasting a single moment of life, with a heart of ironclad loyalty and steadfast determination, he has transformed Hoang Phap Pagoda into the magnificent place it is today. The facilities have completely changed, the Buddha Dharma has flourished and spread widely to everyone, and many branches of the pagoda have been established. We deeply admire and praise the immense merit and blessings of the Master, the monks, and the devout Buddhists. They have truly practiced the Patriarchs’ teaching: “It is people who propagate the Dharma, not the Dharma that propagates people.”

 

Sutras teach that there are eighty-four thousand Dharma sectors for cultivation, but the ultimate destination remains liberation from birth and death and suffering. One must be awakened and mindful; that is the most effective way. Once, reading the book “A Glimpse of Hoang Phap Pagoda” edited by the Master, I felt a sense of pride and admiration. The pagoda has created unfading vermilion marks. We silently thank and cherish the virtue and talent of the Master and the monks, who possess extraordinary willpower to overcome countless thorns and challenges. Their compassionate hearts saving sentient beings, their spirit of cultivation, and their development of wisdom to preserve and continue the lifeline of Buddhism are inconceivable. This period is considered the most prosperous, always opening hearts to everyone in the sea of suffering of this Saha world, full of temptations, impurities, and disturbances. Every step taken by the Master and the monks is seen as that of Bodhisattvas in everyday life.

 

The temple bell and the beloved pagoda remain silent and contemplative during the long years. Whenever people return, they feel peaceful, enlighted, and serene, filled with positive energy as they take refuge in the Three Jewels, stay away from the three evil paths, observe precepts, and they calm their minds. This is the fundamental practice for each of us, which we cherish and are deeply grateful for.

 

Buddhism, present for over two thousand six hundred years, has helped humanity conquer the self and overcome terrible natural disasters, wars, and pandemics. Buddha pointed out the path for self-perfection, establishing a foundation of genuine moral values, opening the door to peace and liberation for human beings.

 

 Today, due to the influence of a pragmatic material lifestyle, contemporary people are becoming increasingly alienated from themselves and gradually separating from the natural world. Natural resources are being depleted, exploited, and polluted, leading to climate change. Oh people!

 

“The soul of the nation abides within the deep forests;

When forests perish, the nation too declines.”

 

Amidst the luxurious, impermanent, and bustling rhythm of life that constantly takes the throne, we have been receiving the Four Heavy Debts of Gratitude: gratitude to the country, gratitude to the teachers, gratitude to parents, and gratitude to Donor. The monastery is a place that nurtures the good heart and shelters the soul of the nation. The pagoda has used every means to create conditions, support conditions, and connect conditions to educate for the benefit of others, minimizing greed, hatred, delusion, and defilements. This is truly a great blessing for us.

 

Continuing the noble mission of Dharma propagation and compassionate service cultivated by the Patriarch and our Teacher is Venerable Thich Tam Truong, the third-generation Abbot, together with the present Sangha. Bearing immense responsibility, they guide the community and successive generations of practitioners, united in service to the ideal: “Above, seeking Buddhahood; below, liberating sentient beings.” They always strive to practice Samatha (concentration) and Vipassana (insight) meditation, take care of the pagoda, and do their best to preach the Dharma to save beings. For every Dharma talk by the Buddha recreates a life for each human being, nourishing the Bodhicitta, realizing a new way of life in accordance with the Dharma, worthy of inheriting the Buddha's career, not being ashamed before the predecessors, and continuing to commit, sacrifice, and serve on the journey of seeking liberation, contributing to the Sangha, the Dharma, and the Nation.

 

 Time flows silently, causing changes to the Master's body of four elements, but his lifelong dedication to propagating the Dharma and benefiting living beings remains forever bright. Nearing 70 years of age, he both practices in retreat and engages in creative labor at Thanh Luong Hermitage in Dong Nai. With skillful hands, enduring legs, and the Buddha land in his heart, the Master has created a space full of vitality, peace, and joy, blending with the radiant light of the Buddhas, bringing purity and bliss to the souls of everyone who visits the hermitage.

 

Despite being busy, he still arranges to visit the pagoda’s branches. Whenever the Master returns to Hoang Phap Pagoda and sees us diligently practicing, gradually letting go of habit energies as he always hoped, he is delighted and always smiles. This is an endless source of motivation for him to nurture the younger generation in the fundamental virtues of Buddhism: moral conduct, virtue, gratitude, humility, contentment, and a dignified demeanor.

 

 We vow to be trained and cultivated ourselves so that our bodies are pure like lotus flowers, our minds like bright gems, which is wisdom, so that good seeds will develop, wholesome Dharmas will arise, and merits and blessings will be achieved. Present peace leads to a beautiful future.

Once again, we respectfully offer our gratitude to the Founder, the Master, the Abbot, and the monks. We pray for the grace of the Three Jewels to bless the Master and the monks with good health, remaining forever the torchbearers, illuminating the way for those walking in the night. We—the sincere flowers of the heart—respectfully offer to all:

 

“Each day, tend the garden of the mind,

So wisdom-flowers may bloom, fragrant throughout the world.”

(Most Venerable Thich Chan Tinh)

Hoang Phap, November 12, 2025

 

Lay Buddhist Lien Thao

Translated into English by Nguyen An

 

Hoang Phap Pagoda

Address: 188/8 Hamlet 8, Hoc Mon Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Office Tel: +84 28 3713 0002

Email: chuahoangphapvietnam@gmail.com

Facebook: Hoang Phap Pagoda Vietnam

Website: chuahoangphap.com.vn)