Nearly 150 young people attending the retreat “Returning to Listen” in HaNoi City

Continuing the monthly cultivation program for the youth and students on two days 9th – 10th June, nearly 150 young people cameback to Hoa Phuc pagoda (Hoa Thach, Quoc Oai, Ha Noi) to attend the Medition – Tea Retreat “Returning to Listen”.

To this retreat, they joined in the special program of meditation tea at the Amitabha ground which was instructed by Junior Ven. Thich Tam Hoa and the monks of Hoa Phuc pagoda.

The monks taught them the methods of controlling their mind and body by their own breaths. It is the way to help ones’ mind return to its body at the present moments. We need breathing at these moments, because that is a happiness. The past already occured, we can’t change it; future has not yet happened, we do   not know how it will be. Therefore, we should recognize the moments at presents by our love and wisdom for a happy and peaceful life. Our past and future will be from this day.

In this sacred time, the monks instructed the way of drinking tea as the gratitude words to Triratna, parents, nation and all beings. Meditation songs sounding from the mass’s joyful mind is the memory of meditation - tea night. After lightly first moments help participants’ calm mind, they opened their heart to share their obstacles to the monks and mass in order to receive love and sympathy from their master and co–cultivators.

As a person who always concerns about care and anxiousness to the young, Junior Ven. Thich Tam Hoa orderly conducted the best ways of overcoming their difficult situations. It took three hours of meditation tea but attendees felt impressive and unforgettable.

Beginning a day at the pagoda, they together had a chanting sutra and walking meditation on Lumbini garden. In the pure and quiet environment, they awakenly, lightly step aftertheir master, as verses:

Every morning,gently walk in right mindfulness,

I feel tranquilly with whole joy. 

Self create a quiet atmosphere, together participate in doing good deeds at the pagoda, share with the Junior Ven. a good book, or expressingselections about their career, etc. are young people’s activities

To end the retreat of meditation tea, on behalf of the young and Junior Ven. Thich Tam Giai visited and gave some gifts to the old at Da Bac Leper Hospital. here, the monks and the young, repreters for the donators, gave 7 million cash for digging well, 100kgs of rice, 1 multi rice cooker, 20 bottles of cooking oil, 10 radios, string of beads, 40 kgs of sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, seeds for planting, etc.; meanwhile, monks and Buddhists cleaned the pagoda for these patients.

The volunteer trip finished in the joyfulness of unlucky people and joyful mind of the Buddha's children. In July, there will definitely be more joy when young people come back together to attend the 2018 Summer Retreat "BACK TO THE PEACEFUL PLACE" from 14-18/ 7/ 2018 at Hoa Phuc Pagoda. 

The following are some recorded image: