Speech of the Diocesan Commission for Interfaith Dialogs delivered on the 73rd Anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism
In the morning of July 6, 2012 (May 18th of the Dragon year), four members of the Diocesan Commission for Interfaith Dialogue attended the 73rd anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhist Faith, at 202 Vo Thi Sau Street, Ward 7 – District 3 (i.e., the Museum of Southern Vietnamese Women).
The Museum of Southern Vietnamese Women
On this occasion, the chief priest of the Interfaith Dialogue Office in the archdiocese of HCM city stated as follows:
Dear Members of the Central Executive Board and Representative Board of Hoa Hao Buddhist Faith in HCM city.
Dear all Religious Dignitaries, the Government Representatives at all levels,
and all present participants,
On behalf of the Archbishop’s Office and the Diocesan Commission for Interfaith Dialogue in HCM city, I would like to share with you my thoughts and feelings on the occasion of the 73rd Anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism.
Yesterday, after reading some prophetic lectures, sermons and the poetry of Venerable Master Huynh Phu So, my thoughts were locked in on the fifth prophetic lecture on “Compassion”. Perhaps, the reason I paid much attention to this subject is because we are preparing our journal, named ‘The Bridge of Hearts’, with the theme: “Compassion in various religious traditions". Let us listen to Venerable Master Huynh’s message in the following seven verses, an excerpt from His 5th prophetic lecture:
I am a farmer- hermit.
Working in the farm and fulfilling the duty of a Buddhist monk,
Keeping my heart far from the circle of competition,
Holding a pure and peaceful heart filled with virtue,
Day and night I try to follow the Eightfold Path.
Though my body is still in this world, my heart is not,
Finding the enlightened way to lead to Nirvana.
-- Venerable Master Huynh, Vol. 5: To Be Compassionate
Ladies and gentlemen,
After reading this prophetic lecture on the 73rd Anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhist Faith, I believe that there is another bloom in the Vietnamese garden of the heart. Each flower carries its unique flavor, but together their scents contribute to the fragrance of the heart of the Viet people. The good deeds of Hoa Hao Buddhist followers in particular (as reported in the Summary of Religious Activities) and of other religious believers in general, are manifestations of this beauty in our lives. That is the common joy and hope of all followers of religion as well as of the Viet people.
Once the “scent” of compassion is spread in an individual’s heart as well as throughout the society, everyone would have peace in mind and all beings could be further blessed, as stated in the letter from the Central Executive Board of Hoa Hao Buddhist Faith on the 73rd Anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism. Together with all Catholic brothers and sisters, we would like to congratulate and pray for the True, the Good, and the Beautiful to be held up more and more highly in our country due to the willing practice of all followers of religion in general and of Hoa Hao Buddhists, in particular.
Again, my congratulations and thanks for listening.
July 6, 2012 (May 18th of the Dragon Year)
Rev. Francis Xavier Bao Loc
Diocesan Commission for Interfaith Dialogs at HCM City
The representatives of the religions (Hoa Hao Buddhism, Catholic and caodaism)
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