European Dharma Propagation Sangha Ven. Thích Trừng Sỹ
WORDS OF GRATITUDE & REFLECTIONS AFTER THE EUROPEAN DHARMA PROPAGATION JOURNEY
Around March 2025, I, Dharma name Thích Trừng Sỹ, was blessed with the good conditions to accompany the Intercontinental Dharma Propagation Delegation in the United States, led by the Most Venerable Thích Như Điển. Thanks to the wholesome conditions that fostered a connection with the delegation at that time, and subsequently receiving the invitation to propagate the Dharma in Europe from Senior Venerable Hạnh Định and the Most Venerable Founder of Viên Giác Pagoda in Hannover, Germany, thầy arranged a suitable schedule to travel to Europe and teach the Dharma to people there for two months (from July 17 to September 17, 2025).
During my Dharma propagation trip to Europe and participation in a 10-day Buddhist retreat (July 20–30) at Neuss High School in Germany, I first visited Khánh Anh Pagoda in Évry-Courcouronnes, France and took the bus with the Khánh Anh Pagoda Delegation from France to Neuss School in Germany. It was a spiritual study experience in Europe that was so joyful, meaningful, warm, friendly, and deeply imbued with the fragrance of the Dharma.
During my time in Europe, I stayed at Khánh Anh Temple in Évry-Courcouronnes and Bagneux, Kim Quang Temple, Vạn Hạnh Temple, and Phổ Hiền Temple in France, Đại Bi Tâm Temples 1 and 2 in Sweden, and Viên Giác Temple in Hannover, Germany. Over the past two months, I have visited and propagated the Dharma to everyone there in a spirit of gratitude, Dharma flavor, and fellow practitioners.
I sincerely acknowledge the immense merits of both the monastics and laypeople, who share and practice the Dharma together, and nurture in the love of fellow Dharma practitioners and Bodhi relatives.
Next, here are a few reflections on the European Buddhist Study Retreat. You are warmly invited to read and enjoy.
REFLECTIONS ON THE EUROPEAN BUDDHIST STUDY RETREAT
Ven. Thích Trừng Sỹ
Namo The Original Master Shakyamuni Buddhaya
First of all, we respectfully pay homage to the two Most Venerable Elders: The First President, Most Venerable Thích Tánh Thiệt, and the Second President, Most Venerable Thích Như Điển, of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Europe.
We respectfully pay homage to the Most Venerable, Senior Venerable, and Venerable Buddhist Monks and Nuns.
Dear Dharma Teachers and all students from different continents.
We wish you and the whole Sangha good health. Dear all,
This is the first time I have been blessed to have enough good conditions to join the 36th European Buddhist Dharma Retreat in 2025, held at Neuss High School, Germany. After 10 days of attending the Buddhist Dharma Retreat there, we coming from the United States of America would like to share a few reflections as follows:
1. In this European Buddhist Dharma Retreat, there are many children attending, of different ages, diverse and rich. Born in Europe, most of them can speak at least 3 languages or more. They speak Vietnamese very well and have pure, innocent, childlike, and cute souls. They love to learn and listen to the Dharma from teachers with many years of experience teaching the Dharma.
This is probably thanks to the family education from parents who skillfully guided them when they were young. In addition to the thoughtful guidance of Buddhist youth leaders. The guidance and encouragement of the venerable monks and nuns, and the enthusiastic support of the devoted aunts, uncles, and family elders.
2. The Venerable Monks, Nuns, and fellow Buddhist participants from many different countries are very warm in the spirit of mutual support, mutual love, and mutual respect, and in the love of teachers and students, brotherhood, Bodhi-like relatives, and fellow Dharma practitioners.
3. The Buddhists in the culinary team serve the Sangha very quickly, happily, deliciously, neatly, and wholeheartedly with the Triple Gem. The office staff in this retreat work very scientifically and clearly. In this retreat, the decoration team decorates very beautifully and solemnly. The cleaning team, the order team, the transportation team work with joy, etc.
4. The Organizing Committee provided projectors for the Dharma teaching classes very effectively and met the appropriate needs of students and teachers of different ages in this European Dharma Study Retreat. However, although the Sound team made efforts, there were some classrooms where the speakers and amplifiers were not very clear.
5. With the spirit of serving the collective Buddhist mission of the European Buddhist Retreat, several different Temples and Dharma Centers clearly divided responsibilities and had days of offering food, drinks, money, material goods, merit, and strength to the Sangha very enthusiastically, thoughtfully, preciously, and respectfully.
6. Finally, the Most Venerable elders, Senior Venerable, and Venerable Monks and Nuns carried out their work in the spirit of cultivation, learning, harmony, solidarity, support, friendliness, concord, respect, and kindness.
These are the glues that easily bind Buddhists and non-Buddhists near and far, helping them grow closer, friendlier, more protective of the Dharma, more profound, and more solid together to contribute to spreading the true Dharma right here in this world.
Indeed, on the occasion of attending the 36th European Buddhist Retreat in 2025 at Neuss High School in Germany, with some simple and sincere reflections, I have composed a few verses as follows.
This European Buddhist Retreat
By blessings, we meet our honored Masters,
People come from everywhere
Peace and happiness bloom right here.
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This year, the Dharma we hear is bright,
We honor our Teachers with deep delight.
Spreading true Dharma overseas,
In the United States, Europe, Asia—far and near, with ease.
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Studying Sutras, hearing the Dharma with practice,
The path to awakening is full of kindness.
Three Higher Trainings advance day by day,
Entering the Buddhist texts, doubts will be given way.
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With vows, we bring the bell to foreign lands,
Teaching “breath and smile” with gentle hands.
For Vietnamese and local people to apply,
Buddha’s teachings shine in life nearby.
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Buddhist culture we should truly know,
To help beings in this world we go.
Reciting Sutras, becoming wise people,
Wherever we go, we return to OURSELVES.
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We wish our Masters long life healthily,
Spreading the right Dharma deeply.
Vietnamese across the globe convey,
Buddhism’s path in their own bright way.
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May all people everywhere deeply imbibe,
The Dharma swiftly filling heart and mind.
Together we uphold the Triple Gem,
Body and mind at peace, a wonderful stem.
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This retreat concludes on this fine day,
We thank all Buddhists gathered here to stay.
Always uphold the Triple Gem with heart,
Do good, avoid evil—benefit all from start to part.
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We wish you and the great Sangha immeasurable peace and immeasurable auspicious fortune. We sincerely look forward to seeing you all at the next European Buddhist Dharma Retreat. Heartfelt gratitude to the entire Sangha, wishing you abundant joy and peace.
We wish you and the great Sangha immeasurable peace and immeasurable auspicious fortune. We sincerely look forward to seeing you all at the next European Buddhist Dharma Retreat. Heartfelt gratitude to the entire Sangha, wishing you abundant joy and peace.
The path of the Buddha Dharma is deep,
Diligently applied, body and mind shine bright.
Compassion and wisdom, truly a treasure,
Bringing happiness and peace to every sight.
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The way of spreading Dharma is truly fine,
Practicing the teachings every single day.
Supporting the Triple Gem with joyful heart,
Bringing Dharma joy to the world in a beautiful way.
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Carrying the bell to distant lands,
Propagating the true Dharma peacefully and brightly
Praying for all sentient beings everywhere,
Towards the shore of awakening, our hearts alight.
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The Buddhist Dharma retreat is at ease,
Monks, nuns, and laypeople gather in peace.
The more we cultivate, the more wisdom increases,
Practicing the Eightfold Path surrounds us with harmony’s release.
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Ten days of cultivation and practice in this place,
We honor Dharma Teachers with grateful hearts.
With sincere guidance, so careful and kind,
A beautiful refuge, a place where life imparts.
Indeed,
One tree alone cannot form the hill,
Many trees together make the forest still.
With virtuous thoughts, we all unite,
Hand in hand to protect the Dharma’s light.
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The Sangha is full of human beauty and love
Doing good, sowing merit, smiles to each other
The great assembly’s effort quickly grows
The Triple strong Gem, whose miracle shows
Grateful to all who give their heart,
May today’s merit spread, and blessings start.
May the whole Sangha reside in peace and be imbued with the right Dharma of the World-Honored One.
Namo Buddha Jewel. Namo Dharma Jewel. Namo Sangha Jewel.
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