We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Xa Loi Pagoda
The energy of mindfulness and deep listening helps heal pain and tension in the body, while simultaneously transforming suffering. Spiritual practice should begin when one is young, like the kings of the Tran Dynasty, to bring happiness and solidity to oneself and the country. The story of the student Tu Uyen and the beauty in the painting, Giang Kieu, illustrates loneliness, despair, and The Path of Transformation. When one loses a beloved due to a dissolute and hot-tempered lifestyle, the correct method of Incense Offering becomes a bridge to re-establish communication.
Incense Offering does not require much, just one stick is enough, but it must be heart incense or precept incense, performed with concentration and the full investment of body and mind in every gesture. The Five Precepts are the foundation of precept incense to communicate with the Buddhas and our beloved:
- Seeking ways to protect the lives of all beings.
- Not cheating, stealing, or deceiving.
- Not engaging in sexual misconduct, breaking up families, or damaging others’ reputations.
- Not cursing, lying, or speaking with a double tongue.
- Not getting drunk, drinking alcohol, or using drugs.
Everyone has a “Giang Kieu” in their life—parents, spouses, or children—those who have come into our lives with great love and affection. We need to recognize and cherish their presence through a mindful way of life, upholding the precepts so as not to cause suffering and regret, and to ensure that happiness is always present.