This is the first time I have organized the meet-up. It is my biggest pride to live near this temple because it is one of the most famous temples in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I met @ChuDanhHai here, the local guide, level 3. Although there were two of us, this meet-up became extremely meaningful and informative to us. When we arrived, it was going to rain. But the rain couldn’t stop us. We walked around the temple, taking pictures and especially we had such a lot of good information about it from the monks in this temple. Here is some information
Hoang Phap Monastery locates in Hoc Mon District, about 20km from Ho Chi Minh City’s center toward the north-west. It was founded in 1957 by the late Most Venerable Ngo Chan Tu (1901 – 1988). Spending 30 years of establishment and development, Venerable Founder passed away in 1988 and his disciple the Most Venerable Thich Chan Tinh became the heir until now.
With 2,5 ha in total area, the facility was gradually built to support the practice need of the lay practitioners. Many practice courses were held successfully here, and become the model for places. As the name given, promulgating Dharma is the main job. Therefore, the young monks are the majority. In the current, around a hundred monks and over 200 young people work as volunteers in the monastery.
For spreading Buddhism to other places, many Hoang Phap’s branches were formed and run by disciples after receiving the full ordination and finished Buddhist study. About 33 branches were formed in Vietnam and overseas, some finished, and some still haven’t yet.
When we got there, there were a lot of people decorating something because there’s going to be a Vesak Ceremony (April 15, lunar calendar) which is the most important festival of Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism always focuses on filial piety. Therefore, this festival is to remind people.
Finally, we had very delicious dinner at the vegetarian restaurant nearby. We exchanged the pictures and wished to have another meet-up soon.
#HoangPhapPagoda #Myfirstmeetup #LetsGuide
