Learning from Uncle Ho at the hundred-year-old temple

Venerable Thich Chi Nguyen was appointed as abbot of An Thanh Pagoda from 2021. Since then, the pagoda has had many activities attracting Buddhists to participate in charity and social activities. The small pagoda is over 100 years old, with a modest space and many places degraded by the effects of time. Despite many difficulties, the pagoda still connects with kind-hearted Buddhists, providing timely support to many disadvantaged people in the commune. Buddhists know more and more about the pagoda through practical activities. The pagoda's charity work has spread and gained more support.

On holidays, Tet, full moon days, etc., if the resources received are large, the organization will give out large quantities of gifts; if the resources received are small, the temple will allocate more available funds to make the gifts more warm to the hearts of the poor. “Although each gift is not of great value, seeing people coming to receive it happily, I am also happy. In my opinion, when there are conditions to do charity work but no one comes, it is not meaningful. Even in this work, I am grateful because Buddhists come to me happily. That is the happiness of charity workers in general, and myself in particular” - Venerable Thich Chi Nguyen shared.

Cultural space of Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton in An Thanh pagoda

In recent years, on average, An Thanh Pagoda cooperates with Binh Thanh Dong Commune to carry out social and charity work every year, with a budget of 150 - 180 million VND. In addition to support campaigns on holidays, the pagoda coordinates with the Executive Committee of Vietnam Buddhism in Phu Tan District to support people in case of fire, build houses, and raise the Spring Tree Fund... After the COVID-19 pandemic, the pagoda cooperates with the District Women's Union to give 300 gifts to orphans and children in difficult circumstances. Along with that, mobilize Buddhists inside and outside the locality to organize a "0 VND Market", give gifts to poor households in the commune, and serve free vegetarian meals.

To maintain sustainability in helping the poor, the pagoda cooperated with the District Women's Union to establish the Buddhist Women's Group of Binh Thanh Dong Commune, which holds meaningful quarterly activities and voluntarily contributes funds to support Buddhists in the religion to overcome difficulties when they are sick or in trouble. "This model has helped people in particularly difficult circumstances, creating a positive spread. I hope that more and more individuals and organizations will join hands to develop the model to take care of social security in the locality" - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Thanh Dong Commune Nguyen Van Mit expressed.

An Thanh Pagoda is one of the places of worship in Phu Tan district chosen by the District Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Committee (now the District Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee) as the place to implement the "Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton Cultural Space". After a few months of completion, this space has attracted the attention of the people. Venerable Thich Chi Nguyen said: "Every day, Buddhists come to the pagoda, first to worship Buddha, then to visit the space, to understand more about the revolutionary activities of Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton. From there, the respect and reverence of the people for the leaders is increasing, each person draws their own lessons to live better today".

Mr. Nguyen Van Mit informed that in recent years, the government, the Fatherland Front, and organizations have always cared for, helped, and created favorable conditions for An Thanh Pagoda to operate. In particular, recently, the abbot and Buddhists have made many contributions to social welfare work, helping the poor on holidays, Tet, and religious ceremonies. The locality respectfully acknowledges these acts of kindness.

In the past, An Thanh Pagoda relied on cultivating 3 hectares of rice fields as its main source of income for self-practice. Currently, the pagoda focuses its activities on society, connecting with Buddhists inside and outside the locality to increase charitable activities. Despite many difficulties, with the resources received at any time and place, the pagoda always prioritizes helping the poor, students in difficult circumstances, and those with the will to excel in their studies... In particular, "Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton Cultural Space" has brought traditionaleducation to the people, serving the activities of students and children coming to the pagoda.

MY HANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/viec-hoc-bac-o-ngoi-chua-tram-tuoi-a420946.html