The Monastic Confession 2023

On June 3rd, 2021 (April 16th, LC), monks of Hoang Phap Pagoda came to Giac Nguyen pagoda to attend a rite to take Vietnam Buddhist Sangha‘s Monastic Confession precepts 2023 in Hoc mon district.

According to Indian weather, there are three seasons in a year: spring, summer, and winter; each season has four months. From December’s full moon to April’s full moon is the spring. From April to August is the summer. From August to December is the winter. During the summer season, normally raining and insects grow up, therefore, the Buddha set up the Rules for His disciples to have to settle indoors during the rainy season. Its purpose is keeping the bhikkhu from killing insects, which decreases the bhikkhu’s compassion.

Then, a rainy-season retreat is a tradition of intensive practice in the summer of the Sangha. This is the time when the monks will restrain their body and mind and cultivate virtue. During these three months, all practitioners learn the Dharma, increase their happiness and transform suffering in them. This tradition is carried out regularly in the Sangha every year and brings many benefits not only to practitioners but also to Buddhists. The time from lunar April 16th to lunar July 16th is the end of the retreat.

After the rite at Giac Nguyen pagoda, Hoang Phap Pagoda’s monks returned to their pagoda to settle down at the temple. In three months, practitioners perform all the courses: chanting, meditating, reciting the Buddha's name, prostrating the Buddha, etc...to show his demeanor and vow in his daily cultivation, as well as organizing to preach teachings, basic Buddha dharma, and Pratimoksa commandments twice a month.

Cultivating sessions at the temple take place continuously with the presence of over 80 monks and nearly 200 Buddhists practicing regularly at the temple.

RAIN RETREAT TIMETABLE

…o0o…

4:00 – 5:00 am: early morning chanting

5:00 – 5:45 am: cleaning around the temple

6:00 – 6:40 am: having breakfast

7:00 – 8:00 am: taking individual duty

8:00 – 9:00 am: chanting.

10:00 – 10:30 am: offering Buddha rite

11:00 – 11:40 am: have lunch

12:00 – 1:30 pm: take rest

2:00 – 3:00 pm: chanting the sutra

3:30 – 4:15 pm: showering and clothes washing

5:00 – 5:30 pm: have dinner

6:00 – 7:15 pm: evening chanting

8:00 – 10:00 pm: self-cultivating or reading, learning…

10:00 pm: bedtime

 

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