Dharma Talk at Phuoc Hue pagoda and Vien Thong Chanting Hall - United States

In the morning of October 2, 2016, the Venerable Thich Chan Tinh had a visit and Dharma talk at Phuoc Hue pagoda, Tacoma, Washington, United States.

During the session, the Venerable shared the topic of Merit-Wisdom Practice. Merit practice means giving alms or donating things to sentient beings as: money, Dharma/advice and fearlessness. Wisdom practice means enlightening oneself with elaborate morality, patience, concentration, effort and wisdom. Hence, doing Merit-Wisdom Practice is going on the Bodhisattva Path, heading to Buddha Path, saving sentient beings via the tool of Six- Perfections (paramitas). That is also the way to adorn oneself for the happiness in this life and the after-lives with good compounded conditions and advantages. Buddhists should not perform the unbalanced practice (i.e. sow bias cause) focusing in Merit or Wisdom only because it will give bias effects instead of the full-fledged ones which can give us a sustainable growth and happiness in the Path.

In the afternoon, the Venerable Thich Chan Tinh lectured at Vien Thong Chanting Hall, Oregon, United States. He said that merit is the result of our own hard-working efforts instead of the God’s favors. Those who sowed good causes will accumulate good effect/merits with lots of peace/ happiness and least suffers/anxiety in life. Thanks to accumulated merits that (s)he would be supported/protected from tough situations/dangers. Prince Siddhartha becomes Buddha because he has wholeheartedly gone through countless kalpas practicing Buddha Path. We, the Buddhists at the very beginning stage with little merit and lots of accumulated erring deeds, may get lots of difficulties in practice at the moment. Nevertheless we are also lucky enough to have good health without any defect function, live in ease and happiness, meet with Buddhism Dharma and good, virtuous friends/teachers instead of ignorant ones in life. Thus, we should immerse ourselves in mindfulness in every moment, activity and thought to practice true Dharma, Four Immeasurable Aspirations (catvāryapramāṇāni) with immeasurable compassion/love/empathetic joy/ and equanimity to cease the inner tri-poisons (ignorance, attachment, and aversion), practice the recitation and take refuge in Triratna.

Following are the recorded photographs:

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