BUILDING CONFIDENCE – VEN. THAY THANH

Building Confidence:

Teaching in Virginia Beach in 2022, Ven. Chuc Thanh told the sangha “There are five ways to build your confidence.  The first is to develop your faith. The second is to practice the Five Precepts every day.   The third is listening.  The fourth is effort.  The fifth is wisdom.”

Thay Thanh said: “Develop faith including not only faith in yourself, but faith in others and faith in the practice, especially the Five Precepts. Living by the Five Precepts, refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, speaking falsehoods and taking intoxicants, every day helps you develop confidence in yourself. Listening helps you to learn and expand your knowledge. He continued by advising the sangha “Don’t be lazy.  Always put your best effort into everything you do and this will help with your confidence. Developing faith, practicing the Five Precepts, listening and effort all combine to help you develop your wisdom and self-confidence.”

(Venerable Thich Chuc Thanh is the Dharma Master at Dong Hung Temple. This quotation is part of a continuing collection from his dharma talks given in Virginia Beach, VA and Southern Shores, NC beginning in 2015. The quotation title and commentary are by temple member Mark Palamara.)