REPORT ON THE JOURNEY OF THE PILGRIMAGE, CHARITY, AND BUDDHIST CONFERENCES IN KOREA, INDIA, AND SRI LANKA
From June 22th to July 20th, 2023
(Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong)
Time passed quickly. The journey of a one-month Buddhist pilgrimage held by the Huong Sen Buddhist Temple included visiting Buddhist noble sites, holding Buddhist conferences, and doing charity programs in three countries: Korea, India, and Sri Lanka finished with many memorable achievements. We are sincerely grateful to the Most Venerables, monks and nuns, and fellow Buddhists from near and far for supporting the program of sponsoring monks and nuns to study abroad and perform charitable activities in the three countries. The list of benefactors is posted on the website: https://huongsentemple.com/index.php/vn/tin-tuc/tu-thien/8182-tu-thien-nam-2023 and Fanpage: Huong Sen.
The delegation of more than 15 people included the Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong (the Abbess of Huong Sen Buddhist temple), Bhikṣuṇī Tri Minh (a sister of Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong), Bhikṣuṇī Vien Bao, Bhikṣuṇī Vien Dao, Bhikṣuṇī Duc Tri, Bhikṣuṇī Vien Nhuan, Bhikṣuṇī Vien Giac, Novice Vien Lanh, Vien Le, Vien Phuong, Vien Dao, and Truc Nghiem, along with tour guides such as Ms. Lunah Kim (for the Korean Tour), Bhante Ratna and Mr. Ravi (for the India Tour) and Ven. Dr. Kahawatte Siri Sumedha and Mr. Lakman Anu (for Sri Lanka Tour)… All made this a meaningful trip.
- KOREA
From 23rd to 30th June 2023, the 18th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held by the International Buddhist Bhikṣuṇī Association at Coex Hall, Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul, Korea with the participation of more than 3,000 delegates from many countries around the world. In it, at 3 pm on June 25, Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong gave a lecture (workshop) titled “Virtues to Help Buddhist Women Face Today’s Precarious World.”
After the conference, the delegation visited Korean temples such as Woljeongsa, Baekdamsa, and Naksansa which are majestic and magnificent temples of Korean Buddhism.
- INDIA
At 2:00 pm on July 1st, 2023, the group took a flight to Delhi in India and arrived at Sharda University, Greater Noida City, Uttar Pradesh State, in order to attend a Buddhist seminar which was co-organized by Ven. Dr. Thich Hanh Chanh and Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong. The theme of conference was "Buddhism–A Historical and Practical Vision,” where Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong gave a presentation on the topic, “Buddhist Philosophy Has Come to the American Universities.” There were nearly one hundred Vietnamese monastic researchers and scholars from many Indian Universities who attended. The seminar had 23 presentations/papers to be collected, which will be compiled into a book “Buddhism: A Historical and Practical Vision” which was interpreted into a Vietnamese version: "Phật Giáo - Tầm Nhìn Lịch Sử và Thực Hành." In the seminar, these two books and some other books (from the Bao Anh Lac Bookshelf of Huong Sen Buddhist Temple) were offered to the speakers and participants along with an envelope of money and books (from the Bao Anh Lac Bookshelf of Huong Sen Buddhist Temple) for a remembrance.
Next day, early in the morning at 6:00 am on July 2nd, 2023, the group took a flight to Kolkata City, West Bengal State, to attend the second Buddhist Seminar in India. It was held by Venerable Abbot Dr. Buddha Priya Mahathero and Ven. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong. There were more than one hundred scholars, researchers, writers, professors, and devotees who attended the seminar with the theme: "The Great Contribution of Buddhism for World Peace and Social Harmony" in which Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong presented the topic titled “The Great Contribution for World Peace and Social Harmony of Emperor Asoka of India and Emperor Trần Nhân Tông of Vietnam.”
It was a pleasure that in this seminar, Venerable Dr. Buddha Priya Mahathero and his SUSWM association complemented Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong for the contribution of Buddhism and for the publishing of 80 books which she composed for the Bao Anh Lac Bookshelf (https://www.huongsentemple.com/index.php/vn/kinh-sach/tu-sach-bao-anh-lac), so they granted her many awards, such as the International Peace Award, Siddhartha United Social Welfare Mission (SUSWM) Great Service Awards, SUSWM World Award, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Prajna Ratna Award, Awards from Nanded, Maharashtra…
After that, at 5 pm, the delegate of Huong Sen Temple distributed gifts to local needy families in Kolkata and around Siddhartha United Social Welfare Mission Temple in the West Bengal state.
From 3rd to 6th of July 2023, the group visited the Buddhist holy sites such as Lumbini (where Prince Siddhartha was born), Kushinagar (where the Buddha entered Nirvana), Vaishali (where the Bhikṣuṇī Assembly was established and the Buddha often dwelt on rainy retreat seasons), the ancient Buddhist University of Nalanda (Nalanda Ruins), the modern Nalanda University (where Bhikṣuṇī Viên Nhuận, disciple of Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong is studying) in Rajgir of Bihar state. Later on that evening of July 6th, under the noble witness of the Most Venerable Ratna, the Abbot of Bangladesh Temple (Bodh Gaya), Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong and ten Buddhist nuns held a haircutting ceremony to give the ten novice precepts to Buddhist laywomen including Vien Lanh, Vien Le (the aunt of Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong), and Vien
Phuong (Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong’s elder sister) at the sacred Bodhi tree, where the Buddha was enlightened.
On the morning of July 7th, 2023, the group went to Kieu Dam Di Nunnery in Bodh Gaya, Bihar state, in conjunction with the Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Nhu Phung (the temple's official) to distribute 200 gifts to the poor, the disabled, and orphans in the locality. At the same time, Bhante Ratna and Bhikṣuṇī TN Vien Nhuan, Novice Vien Le, and Novice Vien Phuong went to offer money and books to local temples in Bodhgaya.
On 8th and 9th of July, 2023, after having visited Deer Park, Sarnath, Varanasi, and the capital Delhi, the delegation had to leave India for Sri Lanka. We took a flight to the Buddhist country of Ceylon, an ocean island known as the “Pearl of the Far East,” where the oldest sacred Bodhi Tree in the world and the Buddha’s Tooth Relic have been worshiped. It is also the place where the Pali Canon was written on Palm leaves.
- SRI LANKA
On the afternoon of July 10th, 2023, the delegation visited Avukana Ancient Rock Temple with the tallest standing Buddha in Ceylon (Avukana Royal Rock Buddha Statue), Ayodhya Ela Kalawewa Lake, Wijithapara Rajamaha Viharaya Temple in Avukana, and so on. On the way back to the Resort Hotel, the group passed a temple under construction with about 50 statues of monks going for alms in four directions and a statue of the Buddha meditating in the middle. This is a fairly common architectural pattern in Ceylon temples.
On July 11th, 2023, the group visited the world's oldest Bodhi Tree (extracted from the Bodhi tree where Buddha attained enlightenment), Sirimaha Bodhi Tree in the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, Ratnamali Maha Chetiya Stupa, the Anula Silmatha nunnery Temple lead by the abbess Bhikṣuṇī Arama, Abhayagiri Stupa, Jethavana tower, and Mihintale ruins (where Bhikkhu Mihintale, son of King Ashoka spread Buddhism to Ceylon) has 68 hidden caves sitting deep under the foothills, and its architecture is very elegant and simple, built by ascetic hermits.
On July 12th, 2023, the delegation visited Dambulla Royal Rock Caves, where there are many large stone Buddha statues (for meditating, entering Nirvana, and standing to preach Dhamma talks) and the statues of the Brahmas were carved on the walls of the natural rock caves and painted in many beautiful colors. After that, the group paid respects to Vatadage Buddhist Monument, Madirigiriye, and then visited Giritle National Park (with many elephants and wild animals) and the local lake in the afternoon.
On the morning of July 13th, 2023, the group was happy and fortunate to visit and pay homage to the Tripitaka which was written in Palm Leaves and has been worshiped at Aloka Vihara Matale Temple. After having lunch, the group visited Srivijayathilakaramaya Bogahakotuwa Temple in Matale, where the Dhamma elder brother of Dr. Sumedha Thera is an abbot. There are 10 young novices who are studying at that temple.
At 2 pm on the same day, under the support and guidance of the Most Venerable Royal Pandith Talatuoye Samiddhi Siri Maha Thero (the Dhamma younger brother of the Most Venerable Dr. Sumedha Ther), the President of Sri Vidyasekhara Pirivena School, Huong Sen Buddhist pilgrimage offered food to the poor at Koombiyangoda Maha Vihara Temple, Matale district, Sri Lanka. In addition to donating gifts, Huong Sen Buddhist temple made money offerings to 30 of the Most Venerables, 40 monks studying at the Buddhist College, and 20 teachers working here.
On the morning of July 14th, 2023, the group visited and paid homage to the Buddha’s Sacred Tooth Relics in Kandy, Sri Lanka. At 2 pm on the same day, the delegation attended a Buddhist seminar at the Educational Department of the University of Peradeniya in Kandy with the topic, “Global Spread of Buddhism with Special Reference to Sri Lanka.” There were ten speakers, one of whom was Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong who gave a presentation on the topic, "Buddhism from Ceylon Island to the United States."
On July 15th, 2023, the delegation visited two monastic temples and one nunnery temple. The first one, Truc Lam Monastery (International Buddhist Meditation Center) was built by the Venerable Phap Quang (a disciple of the Most Venerable Thien Y living in Thu Duc, Vietnam). The abbot was not at temple, but his disciple, Rev. Phap Bao and few novices at the monastery welcomed and treated us, guests from far away, to a vegetarian lunch. The familiar Vietnamese flavor compelled the members to eat to their heart's content, after nearly a month of eating Korean, Indian, and Ceylon dishes. While enjoying braised young ribs, vegetable soup, and delicious fried tofu at the temple, the host also offer the group "food to go" to eat at the hotel in the afternoon.
After having said goodbye to the monk and novices at Truc Lam Zen Monastery in the cold highland of Kandy (like Đà Lạt), the group visited Bodimalu Aramaya Nunnery Temple led by Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Abbess Uduwala Sudhammika. The temple is located at Gampolawatta Gampola, near the house of Dr. Sumedha Thera’s brother, so the brother's family often goes to this temple to offer food and cultivate weekly. The Huong Sen delegation also donated rice, salt, cooking oil, and some amount of money to the temple and took the souvenir photos with the abbess and nun novices there.
Then, the delegation visited Nigrodha Khetta Pirivena Telembugala Gelioya Training Center for Bhikkhus led by Ven. Abbot Godamune Pannakitthi Nakaya Maha Thero Sanghanayaka. After that, the last temple that the group visited and made offerings during the day was Gatame Rajopawanarama Temple in the Peradeniya district, led by Ven. Abbot Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayake Maha Thero. There are about 70 monks and nuns dwelling and studying at the temple. This was a good time to donate the chocolate candy and some money to young novices there.
At 2:00 pm on July 16th, 2023, the delegation arrived in capital of Colombo to attend a second Buddhist seminar in Sri Lanka at the Maha Mahinda International Dharmadutha Society Temple, led by the Most Venerable Prof. Medagama Nandawansa Thera. There were about one hundred professors, scholars, academic students, monks, and nuns who came from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Thailand... to attend. The topic of the Conference was “Academic Seminar on Buddhism in Sri Lanka during the Period of the 19th to 21st Centuries.” Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong was one of twelve speakers. Her topic was “The Contributions of Sri Lankan Buddhist Writers.” At this temple, there were about 70 young novices, so the Vietnamese American Huong Sen Pilgrimage prepared sweets, cakes, and some money in order to sow wholesome seeds.
In 17th, 18th, and 19th of July were the last three days to visit and make offerings to eight Buddhist nunneries in Colombo and surrounding areas such as Newgala Meditation Center Monastery, Sasanaloka Bhikṣuṇī Asram, and Sri Sangamiththa Dhamma School (Galigamuwa Town, Kegalle), Sri Sunanda Temple (Alpitiya Galupitamada), Khemaramaya Temple (Indiparape, Mirigama), Vishakaramaya Temple (Galgamuva, Veyangoda), Pradeepaloka Temple, Uppalawannaramaya Temple, Sakyadhita Training and Meditation Center (Gorakana, Panadura) and Nunnery Training Center (Sri Lanka's First Bhikṣuṇī Training Center and International Faculty of Buddhist Studies (BTC and IFBS), Kananvila, Horana), and others…
In short, a one-month Buddhist pilgrimage to the three countries of Korea, India, and Sri Lanka has ended, leaving us with many emotions that will remain forever. The images of meditating and chanting in the Buddhist noble places remain forever in the members’ hearts, very hard to fade. The day of ordination for sowing wholesome seeds under the Bodhi tree, where the Buddha was enlightened, is sacred and indescribable. In addition, the Buddhist conferences aim to exchange Buddhist knowledge with the Most Venerables, monastics, and academic scholars around the world. The records of these conferences were condensed into anthologies to preserve memories of the pilgrimage. Besides, the charitable activities of sharing food and material goods with the poor are so meaningful, especially in the spirit of "The intact leaves protect the tattered ones."
Namo the Great Meritorious Bodhisattvas!
