Phương Hoàng Hamilton: Ngày Rằm Tháng Tám

Ngày Rằm Tháng Tám

Trăng tròn là ngày người ta thường đi chuà niệm Phật. Lúc còn ở Đàlạt, nhà tôi ngay ngã ba chuà Linh Sơn, Ngày rằm có nhiều người đi ngang nhà trước khi tới chuà. Tôi đứng bên cạnh ba nhìn ra đường, người người áo quần nghiêm chỉnh. Các cô các bà áo dài rất đẹp đủ màu chứ không chỉ màu lam. Ba tôi thỉnh thoảng gật đầu chào 1 người quen đi ngang nhà chào ông. Rồi ba quay sang nói với tôi:

- Không biết mấy mệ ni đã lau sạch bàn thờ ở nhà và dâng hương chưa trước khi đi tới chuà.

Lúc đó tôi nghe ba nói vài lần thì nghe vậy, nghĩ là ba dặn khéo cho con nhớ chu toàn cái bàn thờ trong nhà mình rồi hãy ra chuà. Chuà gần nhà chỉ 5 phút là đi bộ tới nhưng hồi nhỏ chỉ khi nào ba má hay cậu Ba dẫn đi, thì tôi mới tới chuà lạy Phật và ngồi cùng đại chúng đọc kinh nghe giảng Pháp vào các ngày lễ lớn.

Tôi luôn nhớ lời ba mình, ba là người làng Truồi nói theo kiểu người Huế khi nào câu nói cũng ẩn ý nhiều nghiã. Chính tôi là đứa thường xuyên thắp nhan dâng hương cúng Phật trong nhà với ba má mình. Bây giờ hiểu thêm một chút lời ba sâu xa hơn vì: “Như Lai là Phật đã thành, chúng sanh là Phật sẽ thành”. Tôi không những chăm sóc chu đáo bàn thờ ở nhà mà phải chăm sóc các vị “Phật sẽ thành” trong nhà cho chu toàn trước khi ra ngoài làm việc công quả nơi cộng đồng...Tôi đã luôn nhớ lời ba mình và thực hành lời ba dạy cả đời.

Ngày trăng rằm ngắm trăng sáng trong vườn vui vẻ.

The Full Moon Day of the Eighth Lunar Month

The full moon is the day when people often go to the temple to pray to Buddha. When I was in Dalat, my house was right at the intersection of Linh Sơn Pagoda. On the full moon day, many people passed by the house before going to the temple. I stood next to my father looking out onto the street, everyone was dressed neatly. The ladies wore beautiful áo dài of all colors, not just blue. My father occasionally nodded to an acquaintance who passed by the house to greet him. Then he turned to me and said:

- I wonder if these ladies have cleaned the altar at home and offered incense before going to the temple.

At that time, I heard my father say that a few times, so I thought he was gently reminding me to remember to clean the altar in my house before going to the temple. The temple Linh Sơn was only a 5-minute walk from my house, but when I was young if my parents or my uncle Ba did not take me with them to the temple, I never went by myself. I only went to the temple to worship Buddha and sit with the congregation to read sutras and listen to Dharma talks on major holidays.

I always remember my father's words, my father was from Truồi village, speaking in the Huế style, his words always have many hidden meanings. I was the one who often burns incense and worships Buddha in the house with my parents. Now I understand a little more deeply what my father said because: "Tathagata is the Buddha who has become, sentient beings are Buddhas who will become". I not only take good care of the altar at home but also have to take care of the "Buddhas who will become" in the house before going out to do charity work in the community... I have always remembered my father's words and practiced his teachings all my life.

Enjoying the bright moon in the garden on the full moon day.

Phương Hoàng Hamilton

Friday, September 20, 2024

Ngày Rằm Tháng Tám

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