Year End Practice, a past year closing program, giving Tet gifts at Dong Cao pagoda

Buddhists everywhere returned to Dong Cao Pagoda in Thanh Hoa province (belonging to the Hoang Phap’s sect) to attend Year-End Practice, a Dharma Thanking Rite, and give gifts to local residents on Jan. 28th, 2024.

First, the Junior Abbot led the mass meditation walk to look back at their cultivation; Then, he instructed them to chant a six-organ repentant ritual, as well as review Five precepts, and release creatures.

The ceremony officially was held in a pure and dignified atmosphere at 9 a.m with many significant programs in the witness of Junior Thich Tam Hung.

After listening to a statement of reason, and introducing the program, all participants looked back on the affairs of the past year. On behalf of attending practitioners, Buddhist Lien Giang had a detailed report summarizing the ashram with the advantages that have been achieved and the shortcomings not solved; Buddhist Lien Thanh offered her gratitude words to the Sangha.

Junior Thich Tam Hung awarded The Certificate of Buddhist Families to three families who have practiced and guided their relatives to practice together, support Three Jewels, awarded 10 Certificates of Merit to Buddhists practice diligently and gain excellent achievements in the Year of the Cat (2023).

At the end were the Abbot's compliments. He encouraged to Buddhists had "Buddhized Families", "Diligent" Buddhists and all Buddhists, local residents who were present, try to practice and Dharma propagation to help the temple affairs grow; Buddhism become more and more prosperous, our homeland will be richer and stronger, everyone will become Buddha in the future.

In the afternoon, the Abbot guided all participants to sit in silence; read Sigalovada sutra, and recited the Buddha in walking meditation.

After that, the pagoda cooperated with Nga Yen Commune Police to instruct the mass on how to prevent and fight fires at private homes; share online scams in the guidance of Mr. Hoang Van Sang - Head of Nga Yen Commune Police.

Last, the monks gave nearly 30 gifts (each worth more than 500,000 VND) to people in difficult circumstances to welcome the Year of the Dragon (2024).

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