First turning point in life

She holds a pen, reminiscing about the journey she has gone through with many ups and downs; some are bitter, some are sweet, some are salty, and some are bland. Up to now, she asks herself what has been gained and what has been lost. Yes, she had a brilliant youth. Let's hear how brilliant it is.

Fifteen years old - the age when she entered the traditional period between the girl and the teenager, she practiced to become a vegetarian. Even though she was in school, she didn’t know which motivation made her become a vegetarian. Then the exam to transfer from Secondary School to High School was near, so she tried her best! Suddenly she felt a bit sad when a classmate next to her dropped out of school because her parents divorced, even though she studied very well and came from a rich family. She sympathized with her friend’s circumstances, but it was only fleeting because it was not her situation. After a short period, she was in trouble. Then, she completed the entrance exam with a total score of 54.5 points in six subjects, so she achieved an excellent result. But she had to leave school, so every day she only met her friends passing by her place to sell vegetables. Well, that girl's family has a vegetable stall at the market. Since her parents broke up, she had to sell vegetables in the market in replace of her mother. Her life turned a new page! It was said that it was full of difficulties.

At the age of fifteen, she walked into the market with many negative comments, "Her father left to get a new wife", or "Does your father come to visit you?",... She really felt scared when she heard those words. said like a knife from the people around her. But what she can do because this world is a suffering world which is a difficult world to endure, and a little sweet but a lot bitter!

The good roots of the past supported her and helped her get through each sunny and rainy day. Debt was piled up, so she had to pay deals for days, months, years, rice... Oh my God! She looked up and asked God when the debt would be gone. She left the house to work from 2:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. before cleaning up and returning home. Hearing this makes me sympathize with her! Luckily, God blessed her, and the surrounding pagodas came to buy goods for her, so trading became more improving. Thanks to regularly delivering things to the pagodas, that girl was able to deepen her relationship with the Three Jewels. From selling things cheaply, offering a few small things with sincerity, her spirit gradually cheers up, and he is happier and thinks about a brighter future. It is true to the saying, "The miraculous Buddha Dharma". In fact, it's truly miraculous, she became a vegetarian, made offerings, did merits, went to the pagoda to chant sutras, and now she's completely lived in the pagoda. What a blessing!

Now, when she sits back and contemplates the Buddha's teachings, she thinks how wonderful it is:

 "It is happy now, happy in next life

 Do good deeds, two happy lives,

 I am happy and peaceful,

 Seeing the pure karma I do.”

 (Verse 16 in Dhammapada)

 She smiles! The Buddha always protects and appears around to help sentient beings if anyone truly practices and wishes to change life for the better. As long as someone is sincere, earnest and has a strong will, no matter what happens, someone who practices will accept it with a gentler, freer and quieter mind because the Buddha is by her side!

“The mind is the leader of all dharmas,

 The mind is the master, the mind is the creator

 If someone has a pure mind,

 Speaks up or acts,

 Peaceful steps follow,

 Like a shadow that never leaves its form"

 (Verse 2 in Dhammapada)

 Thank you for that first turning point in life that brought her to meet the Buddha, meet the Tathagata Messengers, and find the path for her life! She told herself!

Best regards

Phước Huệ

Translated into English by Huynh Thi Khanh Phung