"Be Like Bhikkhu Mahakassapa" - A Meaningful Dharma Talk on the Observance Day of Mahakassapa
On the Observance Day of Mahakassapa (the 6th day of the 3rd lunar month), the Buddhas foremost disciple in Dhutanga (ascetic practices), Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh has delivered a Dharma talk to the monks, nuns, and participants entitled "Be Like Bhikkhu Mahakassapa," extracted from the Ekottara Agama sutra.
In the sutra, the Buddha taught about the eleven practices that facilitated monks in attaining great achievements.
"They are staying in secluded places, living on alms, eating at one sitting, eating at noon, not being picky about almsgivers, wearing robes of rag, wearing only three robes, sitting under the tree, sitting in the forest, sitting in the open air, sitting in the cemetery."
The Buddha also taught monks to be like Bhikkhu Maha Kassapa, who accomplished these noble practices.
"From ordination onward, he embraced Dhutanga steadfastly and maintained this practice for his entire life. He is the epitome of us," shared Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh.
Through this meaningful Dharma talk, Thay hoped the fourfold assembly would grasp the teachings and be diligent in their Buddhist practices; the Sangha, in particular, earnestly practice Dhutanga, thus perpetuating the longevity of the Buddha Dharma.
The Dharma talk concluded with the joy of the participants. Below are some recorded images from the talk!
In another sutra, the Buddha taught: “It is well, Kassapa! Kassapa, you are benefitting many, saving countless human beings and deities. Why? Kassapa! As long as the Dhutanga persists in the world, my Dharma will exist for a long time in this world. If the Dharma exists in the world, then the paths to heaven will increase and the three evil destinies will in turn decrease; and stream-entry, once-return, non-return, and the paths of the three yānas (including Hearer-Yana, Pratyeka-Buddha-Yana(*), and Bodhisattva-Yana) will all be preserved in the world. O monks, you should all train just as Kassapa practices.” Speaking about Venerable Mahakassapa, Thay also shared: "He is a shining exemplar for us, and probably it is from his life that the Dharma has been long-lasting in the world." (*) In Buddhism, a Pratyeka-Buddha-Yana is someone who attains enlightenment through their own efforts, without the help of a teacher or guide.
Before the lesson, Buddhists respectfully asked Thay to deliver a Dharma talk.
People attended the Dharma talk session on the second floor of the Great Lecture Hall.
People attended the Dharma talk session in the Main Hall yard of Ba Vang Pagoda.
Notebooks and pens are indispensable items for writing down Thays teachings during every Dharma lesson.
How happy and moved it is to hear the sublime Dharma!
The Dharma talk occured in a dignified atmosphere.
