One-day Retreat in August 2015

On Aug 16th 2015 (Lunar July 3rd Goat Year), Buddhists from several provinces converged in Hoang Phap monastery to attend one-day retreat.

(extracted from Minor Sutras, chapter XXII, Big Chapter, sutra 540, Sama’ filial piety)

 

In Shravasti, there was a boy from a wealthy family coming to the monastery and listened Buddha’s sermon. Then, he realized the impermanence in life, so he made up his mind to enter monkhood. Having studied and retreated for five years, the Bhiksu went to faraway border area in order to have assiduous Dhyana with the hope of obtaining perfect enlightenment.

 

At that time, the Bhiksu’s family became impoverished because of getting business loss. Eventually, his parents had to pitifully wander and beg for food.

There was a great-old man from Shravasti informing the Bhiksu the trouble his parents had got; hence, the Bhiksu was wretched and lost his determined mind of retreat. He decided to return to his homeland, visit his parents and Buddha. As he received the Buddha’s lesson, he deduced that a monk could also take care and express filial piety to parents in return. From then on, he gave the food of mendicant to parents. Someone knew it and then reported to Buddha. Great patriarch met him, asking the original story and paying high compliment on his filial piety instead.

In sum, a monk had better have a pearl of wisdom. Family status should not have been an obstacle preventing the way to perfect enlightenment. Therefore, he also could show his honor and take good care of his parents if they got trouble in age, weakness, and disease. However, he should not take the advantage to bring the wealth and money to his family. It had better to be insightful to express filial piety to parents in the right way.

After ending the sermon, the whole bodhimandala started the course as usual.

Below are some recorded pictures: