Thông Điệp Vu Lan PL.2568 – DL. 2024

ULLAMBANA MESSAGE

Year 2024 – Buddhist Calendar 2568

Nam mo Shakyamuni Buddha

Honorable Elders, Venerable Monks and Nuns,

Dear male and female believers, lay people, Buddhist Youth Family and compatriots,

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the United States, there are Father's Day and Mother's Day. The day, sons and daughters expressed their gratitude to their parents. They can bring a vase to the grave, or buy a gift, or in particular they often organize a meal to invite their parents. But the saying that no American will forget on that day is that I love my father and I love my mother when they hold their parents in their arms. Vietnamese Buddhist Ullambana Day is also the day when children express their gratitude to their parents, whether they are alive or passed. If in the past, the honorable Maha Moggalana monk saved his mother by using the power of the Great Sangha practicing and cultivating today we also rely on the Three Jewels to pray for our mothers and fathers to have more blessings in this world or in a higher realm. The concept is could we take some time to think about our parents, especially during the Ullambana season. The answer often follows the question and we know what we have to do with our parents even though life and customs between the East and West are many different. The Ullambana also carries meaning, I vow to bring a source of joy to my parents and loved ones. Therefore, during the Ullambana holiday season, we as Buddha children will vow to do something that is both surprising and expressing our heart lifting gratitude to our mothers and fathers. After the pandemic season, depression is happening in many families in the United States. As sons and daughters of Buddha, what must we do for our own families? Please come to the Dharma and the Shanga where there are many rivers that will help you ease your suffering.

Mention of suffering in this realm, we do not forget that in recent years, the world has had many painful fluctuations. From epidemics, wars, terrorism, natural disasters, poverty... . Our United States is also not an exception. Particularly in the Vietnamese Buddhist community, it is also wavering during this moment of many crisis. Despite the challenges posed by many crises we need to initiate the power of compassion and kindness reflecting on the Buddha's teaching that, thanks to sorrow, we cultivate wisdom. Affirming that practicing together, studying together, squeezing each other's hands, we will resilient and overcome all challenges . From this concept, in 2024, our Congregation settled a Summer retreat of more than 240 members from Southern California to contribute to our Vietnamese Buddhist community. The Great Sangha held in the spirit of harmony, diligence, sharing, commitment , and coordination. Also on this occasion, the Sangha welcomes many monks and nuns from all the states of the United States. This is a great opportunity for us to once again repeat, what do you have to do in this country. Then last July of this year, the 11th North American Retreat was organized and completed successfully . Hundreds of monks and nuns and Buddhist fellows studied together in the city of Atlanta, Georgia . If anyone asks, what are the benefits of your cultivation? Say, it's valuable and unmeasurable . We came together to affirm each other that we are Buddhists in a country that does not know much about Buddhism . We must band together to keep the strong spirit of our Buddha practicing in this new homeland. Light yourself up and hundreds of thousands of lights are lit up to bring awareness and peace in the lives of the Buddha's children.

Everyone who comes to the United States has their own dreams and what is the dream of a Buddha's son? Fifty years ago, how often did you see a Vietnamese monk? Americans were very new to Buddhism. Today is different. Buddhism is no stranger to Americans and they already know a lot about Vietnamese Buddhism. Buddhism is very sympathetic and familiar to all Americans because it gives them a new wind of the path of practice. This merit, due to all contributions of our Buddhists from all over of the United States. A country that is powerful and promising for us to plan our Buddhist seeds.  The lay Buddhist has made immersing but silent contributions in introducing Buddhism to the American people. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Buddhists have confirmed, if anyone asks, what religion are you, and we are happy to say that, I am a Buddhist. I am a disciple of the Buddha and we have shown the concepts of our Buddhism to everywhere. You are 'speechless' Buddhist masters because you have lived and practiced following to the Buddha's teachings in your own life and work. The American Buddhism has thousands of gratitude to you, because you brought a Buddha's heart to this homeland.

Vietnamese Buddhism has many different  sections and branches in the United States. It's just simple a means to benefit life. Like a hand with many fingers, but only one hand. If there is a question, don't ask which section you follow, but ask, what can you do for yourself and for American Buddhism, as you accept this country as your new homeland. Please hold hands together and move forward. This country is yours and Buddhism is yours.

During this Ullambana season, I and all members of the Vietnamese American Unified Buddhist Congregation as well as the Buddhist Executive Council wholeheartedly honor all the monks and nuns and all Buddhist fellows. May all of us have eyes as bright as a sun and as wide as the ocean to bring a power to the American Buddhism. I would also like to wish you and your family as kindly man and woman, as Buddhist children a season of Ullambana with lots of happiness and blessings.

Nam Mo Maha Moggalana Bodhisattva

Buddhist Calendar 2568,  California, July 30, 2024,

Sincerely,

Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha Council

Executive Monk
(See the pdf version with signature & stamp)

Thich Tin Nghia Bhikkhu