Repentance Ceremony

Before the beginning of this course, Junior Ven. Thich Tam\r\nKhuong preached the lecture about the laypeople. He extracted a part of\r\nSamyatta Nikaya V, chapter 11, section of virtue varga to explain about 5\r\nachievements from a layman.

The one who becomes a layman must practice refuging in three\r\ntreasures that are Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. A Buddhist taking refuge bases\r\nnot only the form but also from three treasures himself. He should follow both\r\ntheory and practice.

A layman must keep five precepts that are no killing, no\r\nstealing, no illegal sex; no lying; and no drinking.

A layman must absolutely believe in enlightenment of the\r\nTathagata. True belief in the Buddha and His Dharma, which we must build on the\r\nbasic of the understanding, and should avoid superstition thing what are\r\nincorrect on Dharma.

A layman must apply almsgiving when his mind releases\r\nagainst the greed. He can easily bestow on others even though he is at home.

A layman must improve wisdom when he understands the birth\r\nand extinction, the wisdom of arahans, which ends misery. The wisdom of\r\nBuddhism differs from the one of the secular world. It must build on the basic\r\nof studying, thinking and cultivating.

After the lecture was the time of repentance citing Buddhas’\r\nnames. All monks and Buddhists kowtowed uniquely. The ceremony ended with the\r\nrepeating five precepts of the lay people.

Below are some taken photos: