Repentant ceremony on Aug 05, 2017

Before the main course, it was the meaningful and practical Dharma talk from Venerable Thich Tam Chanh with the theme “Story of Old Age”.

Old age is the period of fatigue with remarkable decline in body functions such as gray hair, difficulties in walking, working or communication due to limb pain, weakness and memory loss. Besides, there are many other psychological problems occurring in this period as illness and loneliness. Old people often keep on repeating their old stories... All are signs of eldership under the devastating of time.

Nevertheless, with practical and funny examples, the lecture content expressed the fact that physical eldership is not as severe and fearful as the aging in mind. Many elderlies with old bodies are always cheerful, optimistic, and willing to engage in philanthropies contributing to the community. They are old people bearing young hearts. On the contrary, many youngsters with pessimism, closing their hearts and feeling sick of living due to shocks, hardship and challenging from life... they are the very old people regardless how many ages they are.

Via lively stories from the facts of life, the Venerable expressed his sympathy to the elderly. Despite whatever nationality, area or situation, when facing with eldership, old people live a lot with their memory and have some regrets thinking of the past. They terribly need cares from descendants to warm up their mind, to shy away from the feeling of loneliness. Besides attention, love from children and beloved ones, it is necessary for elderlies themselves to sow good deeds and merits to gain peace and happiness in this life and the after-lives.

The theme of the talk is about old age but it is also helpful for youth in particular and all of us in general. Acknowledging aging is unavoidable, we should be ready and well-prepared for a happy and helpful life in every stage of age.

Following are the recorded photographs: