The title, description and transcript may contain inaccuracies.

Tech notes: poor sound, bad auto-gain. Nov 02 assumed because it was bundled with other items of same month

1500 Commemoration Ceremony

Thich Nhat Hanh · November 1, 2002 · Nam Hoa Temple, China · Audio Only

The name Nam Hua Temple evokes the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, who is present not only in China but in many countries throughout the world. To pronounce the sentence “Taking refuge in myself” is to think of the Patriarch, who advised taking refuge in the Buddha and Dharma within, rather than only outside. Offering incense to the Buddha is not merely offering sandalwood, but offering the incense of the heart. This incense is made of five parts: Precept, Concentration, Insight, Liberation, and the Understanding coming from Liberation.

Westerners receiving the Three Refuges and Five Precepts receive the teaching, spirit, and energy of the Sixth Patriarch. The best incense to offer is made of precepts, concentration, and insight. Practicing the Five Precepts—not killing, not stealing, not having inappropriate sexual relationship, not drinking alcohol, and not lying—brings peace and happiness to the individual, family, and society. Chinese Buddhism is a cultural heritage for the world, and renewing its teaching and practice allows the young generation to put these teachings into daily practice.

Practicing the Fourth Precept restores communication between family members and groups through listening deeply and using loving speech. Applying the teaching of Master Huineng improves the quality of happiness within oneself and society. The Sixth Patriarch has millions of children and grandchildren globally, and renewing the practice of Buddhism allows for continued service to the spiritual life of the world.