The Secret of the Movie Tickets

On an afternoon at Pho Quang Pagoda, after the solemn rituals concluded, the atmosphere suddenly became open and joyful. The abbot smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he looked around the assembly, especially at the group of young people seated below. He lowered his voice, as if about to reveal a great secret.

"My dear children, my elders, I have a 'secret' story to share. Once you hear it, please do not rush to tell others outside; consider this our temple’s private matter."

Laughter erupted from the crowd. A young woman in the group tilted her head curiously and whispered to her neighbor, "What secret is that?"

The teacher waved his hand and began his tale.

"About twenty years ago, when I traveled through many pagodas, I noticed a sad reality. The vibrant energy of those temples was gradually fading. People built more temples, spending more money, yet the devout visitors grew fewer. Why? Because the monks taught using outdated, difficult language, or their knowledge failed to keep pace with the times. Today’s youth attend university, use the internet, and watch Hollywood movies. If a teacher lacks knowledge compared to them, how can they accept him as a disciple?"

He paused, waiting for reactions. Many nodded in agreement. He continued:

"To meet this need, I opened a class teaching scriptwriting to the young people. I wanted them to understand that art and wisdom are also skillful means for spreading the Buddha's teachings (Dharma). Then, unexpectedly, the world released the film Mission Impossible - Fallout, starring Tom Cruise. It was extremely famous, with a tight script and top-tier special effects."

The teacher smiled brightly, recounting the next part with enthusiasm.

"At that time, I called Mr. Tri Thanh, the president of the charity association, and said, 'Brother, please send money to buy tickets for all the students in the class to see this movie.' He asked in surprise, 'Teacher, why let them go watch entertainment?' I replied, 'Not for entertainment, but for learning!'"

He added further instructions: "After watching, if there is leftover money, buy each student a bubble tea. Let them savor the sweetness while reflecting on the script structure, the cinematography techniques, and how messages are conveyed. They must ask themselves: Is our own creativity sufficient compared to the world? What knowledge do we need to add to keep up with them?"

The group of young people in the courtyard applauded loudly. A young man stood up, his eyes shining.

"Yes, Teacher. When we went to see the movie back then, we initially thought it was just a reward. But while sitting and drinking bubble tea, discussing the film, we truly understood your teaching. We realized that following you is not only for spiritual practice but also for expanding wisdom and seeing the wider world. You did not forbid things; instead, you guided us to turn moments of leisure into valuable lessons."

The teacher nodded in satisfaction and concluded with a meaningful motto.

"Precisely. Our motto is: 'The Buddha's teachings (Dharma) flow within our homeland, and the world exists within our love for our nation.' We use the internet to see the whole world and films to understand technology, but our hearts always remain directed toward our country and the moral principles of our ancestors. This is how we keep young people connected to the temple—not out of fear, but out of admiration and fulfillment."

In that moment, the boundary between religion and daily life, between tradition and modernity, seemed to dissolve. Only a warm connection remained between teacher and student, sharing a common aspiration to rise in the new era.

The Meaning of the Story

This story affirms that for the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) to flourish in the new era, practitioners and teachers must update their knowledge and deeply understand the psychology and interests of the younger generation. Using modern means, such as films and technology, is not chasing worldly desires. Instead, it is an opportunity for education, expanding wisdom, and connecting moral principles with practical reality. When young people feel respected, find opportunities to learn, and see tangible benefits from spiritual practice, they will voluntarily commit to the Dharma. They transform their love for their homeland and their global vision into positive motivation for cultivation.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang