The prayer by the Most Venerable Khippapanno Kim Trieu, given on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary Ceremony of the Shakyamuni Buddhist Meditation Center on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
The prayer by the Most Venerable Khippapanno Kim Trieu was given on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary Ceremony of the Shakyamuni Buddhist Meditation Center on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
“…Here we have a university, but there’s a shortage – only elderly people, no young ones. We must pray for a school on weekends. How can you come here on Sundays so your children can join too? What do your children usually learn? They mainly focus on learning practical worldly knowledge, which is beneficial for society from a materialistic perspective. Yet, this aspect only contributes to half of their life fulfillment, while the remaining 50% should be dedicated to nurturing their spirituality – understanding the mind. This spiritual aspect is what’s missing. Where can they learn to develop their spirituality? They should learn from Buddha’s teachings. You need to encourage your children to visit the monastery. Your invitation isn’t limited to the elderly; you also welcome young people. So, let’s strive to invite everyone…
I hope this monastery can become a Dhamma school, not just for us elderly folks, but also for the children. On Sundays, school-age children should come to the monastery with you. Adults can attend Dhamma classes tailored to their needs, while young people can attend classes designed for them. This way, you won’t just enjoy the benefits of Dhamma by yourself but can share them with everyone, including your children and grandchildren.
I can’t personally do this due to my age, so I want to remind you. If there are sponsors, let’s collaborate to transform this monastery into a Dhamma school. How can you encourage your children to come here and study on Saturdays and Sundays? Let’s call it ‘Sunday School.’ During the weekdays, your children learn worldly subjects, but they should dedicate one day of the week to learning about Dhamma. What should they do if they can’t come to the temple for Dhamma study? You must ensure they know this. Don’t let your children suffer mentally, leading to hospital visits and depression. It’s better to prevent than to cure.
…When your children are old enough, perhaps kindergarten age, you can start bringing them here. At that age, they’re learning how to eat properly. It’s also a good time for them to start practicing breath mindfulness. They need to realize that even while eating, they are still breathing. Paying attention to their breath, in and out, here and now, will bring them peace. When they feel sad or worried, they should focus on their in-breaths and out-breaths. This practice can bring them peace and happiness, a remedy for mental distress.
Don’t let your children experience sadness and depression from the age of six or seven. When they begin school, they learn terms like ‘sad’ and ‘depressed,’ often in the context of peer relationships. This is a dangerous path. True happiness means that your children do not encounter sadness and depression. During the time of the Buddha, there was a seven-year-old who became a fully enlightened Arahan. This young boy ordained at a temple and attained enlightenment while having his head shaved.
I pray that this can be a possibility for the future. I reiterate that we should establish this monastery as a Dhamma school so that children can practice alongside you. Many people believe they need to wait until they are old to start visiting the temple and learning Dhamma, but that should not be the case. You should embrace Dhamma while you’re still young…
I would like to express my gratitude to the Most Venerable Rakita Dhammo Cong Sophan, as well as the venerable monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen who have joined us today. May the Three Jewels bless you with protection, peace, and happiness. May you quickly be liberated from all sufferings.”
You can view the complete Dhamma talk by following this link: