On October 3, we gathered for a special and somewhat unconventional Fall Lazy Day Retreat. While a few planned variations were already on the agenda, the day quickly became even more memorable thanks to several unexpected surprises. Most notably, two of our monks joined us to share their Dharma wisdom, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. What a wonderful blessing and honor for everyone in attendance. A Special Visit from Thay Hoi. The day began with the unexpected appearance of Venerable Thay Hoi, our Abbot Monk, whom we rarely have the opportunity to hear teach. This was his first time offering a Dharma talk during one of our Lazy Day Retreats, and we were both thrilled and grateful. Drawing upon his gentle wisdom, Thay Hoi spoke about the importance of looking inward and carefully observing our thoughts, words, and actions before expressing them outwardly. He reminded us that this practice not only improves our relationships with others but also nurtures our own minds and personal growth. He emphasized that reading the Dharma and practicing meditation are essential parts of the Buddhist path. However, their true value is realized only when we apply what we learn in our daily interactions with the world around us. He beautifully illustrated this point through the teachings of Interbeing and our interconnectedness with all beings. Thank you, Thay Hoi, for your insightful and inspiring teachings. Meditation and Discussion: Following the Dharma talk, we entered a period of silent meditation that began with a recording of Thich Nhat Hanh’s beautiful Great Bell Chant. If you have never heard it, we highly recommend taking a few moments to seek it out. It is truly a moving experience. To conclude the morning session, we watched an engaging Dharma Made Simple presentation on “Emptiness as Openness.” The video sparked a thoughtful and lively discussion that continued right up until lunch. Nourishment for Body and SpiritLunch featured an amazing potluck buffet filled with delicious offerings. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed food and helped create such a wonderful communal meal. After satisfying our appetites, we enjoyed a Walking Meditation around the temple grounds, allowing both our bodies and minds to settle while appreciating the beauty and peacefulness of our surroundings. Music, Laughter, and Community. When we returned to the Buddha Hall, Victor was waiting for us with a karaoke system and a unique musical experience. Songbooks were distributed containing familiar tunes whose lyrics had been creatively adapted to reflect Buddhist teachings and life at Dong Hung Temple. Under Victor’s skillful leadership as an experienced classroom music teacher, we enthusiastically sang our way through favorites ranging from Old MacDonald to My Favorite Things and even Hey Jude. There was plenty of laughter, joyful participation, and a wonderful sense of community. It was a delightful reminder that spiritual practice can also be lighthearted and fun. An Unexpected Closing Teaching. As if the day had not already been filled with surprises, Thay Thanh, our English Dharma Master, arrived unexpectedly to offer a second Dharma talk. Thay Thanh spoke about accepting life’s many changes, including aging, shifting circumstances, and the fluctuations of health and well-being. He reflected on compassion as both an expression of our inner practice and a powerful means of deepening that practice.His message reminded us that compassion is not only something we give to others but also something we extend to ourselves as we cultivate peace, understanding, and self-care. Thank you, as always, Thay Thanh, for your wisdom and guidance. Looking Ahead. All in all, it was a wonderful day filled with learning, reflection, laughter, friendship, and unexpected blessings. It certainly was not a typical Lazy Day Retreat, and perhaps that is exactly what made it so special.If you were unable to attend, we hope you will join us for our Winter Lazy Day Retreat and discover what surprises may arise next. We will share the date as soon as it is announced.Until then,
May you be well.
May you be happy.
May you be at peace. 🙏🪷 |
