How does Venerable Thich Thanh Van evaluate the summer retreats in Hai Duong?

Speaking with Hai Duong Newspaper reporters, Venerable Thich Thanh Van, Head of the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Hai Duong province, said that by June 23, many pagodas in the province had basically completed organizing summer retreats for teenagers and students.

The pagodas organizing summer retreats this year are Binh Lau, Linh Ung, Cu Linh (Hai Duong City), Mau Dan, Phuc Linh (Ninh Giang), Khanh Linh, An Duc, Mau Cong, Dong Pagoda (Tu Ky), Dien Phuc (Kim Thanh)... Of which, Cu Linh Pagoda in Tan Hung Ward (Hai Duong City) has a large number of young people participating with about 700 children.

Venerable Thich Thanh Van said that the summer retreats in Hai Duong have created a useful playground, all achieved good results, leaving a good impression on teenagers and parents. With the peaceful space in the pagodas, participating in the retreats, children have time to meditate and learn lessons about human morality, and tap into the source of wisdom. The students are also educated in patriotism, responsibility to family and the community; improve soft skills, and equip themselves with life skills to stay away from social evils, and have a healthy and positive lifestyle.

According to Venerable Thich Thanh Van, before organizing the summer retreat, pagodas and the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha at the district level all develop plans, have registration forms, and notify the Executive Committee of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha and relevant agencies, local authorities, and parents of students about the time, location, content, composition, and number of participants in the retreat.

The Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee regularly coordinates with relevant agencies to guide, support, and inspect the organization of summer retreats to ensure compliance with Buddhist Dharma and legal regulations. Ensuring food safety, traffic safety, fire prevention, etc. is well implemented by pagodas. Funding for the retreats mainly comes from the mobilization of benefactors, volunteers, and voluntary support from parents.

According to the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee, there has been no negative information or violations arising from the organization of summer retreats in 2024 in Hai Duong.

Recently, summer retreats have received much attention from the public. On June 21, Ba Vang Pagoda, a large and famous pagoda in the North (Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province), announced the temporary postponement of summer retreats that parents and students had registered for.