Before the U23 Asia Final: Vietnam

By (?) - 27/01/2018

GNO – Today, the hearts of the Vietnamese people everywhere seem to be warming up, bustling with thoughts of the 2018 U23 Asia Final: Vietnam will face Uzbekistan at the Changzhou Stadium (China) at 3 PM.

There are many emotional highs and lows of joy, from the young to the elderly. It seems that everyone, regardless of age, erupted with joy after Vietnam triumphed over Qatar to advance to the final.

"Vietnam!" – The unified echo among all Vietnamese, both at home and abroad, has risen above everything these days.

Football is considered the king of sports, always bringing excitement and a powerful allure to everyone, across all walks of life.

I still remember a 94-minute film, The Cup, many years ago, written by Khyentse Norbu, a teacher who runs many spiritual centers. After being released, it gave the world a closer look at life in monasteries following the Vajrayana tradition in Dharamsala, India, where the Dalai Lama resides.

In the everyday life of the monastery, with strict regulations, the monks, especially the younger ones, are also real boys: restless during meditation hours, sometimes playful, and even occasionally acting out their adolescence. And importantly, they love football.

This film, in another aspect, also speaks to the deep influence of globalization on ancient traditions. Through this, it creates a new perspective: diligent practice is placed alongside seemingly "worldly" activities – such as watching football on television – making the viewer fond of the characters, the young monks, who are relatable but always striving on the path of spiritual purity.

The message of the film is also very clear: the middle way of Buddhism advocates avoiding extremes, thoughts, words, and actions that are excessive; strictness does not mean prohibition, and entertainment at an appropriate time does not mean indulgence.

With what U23 Vietnam has shown in the 2018 Asia Championship, reaching the final is not just a miracle but the result of a process involving the efforts and talents of the players, their will, confidence, and choosing the right people for the job.

Everyone hopes for victory, but at this moment, regardless of the outcome at the Changzhou Stadium after today’s match, we can all be proud to say: “Thank you all, thank you U23 Vietnam!”

With that joy, we have the right and belief to look to the future with concrete actions, practical steps, and determination for even more joy to come.

Source: Giac Ngo Online