A TRUE PRACTITIONER – TRULY BEAUTIFUL

"Ending evil is called Brahmin,

Pure conduct is called Sramana,

Removing impurities from oneself,

That is what it means to be renounced."

(Dhammapada - The Monk, verse 38))

 

Although I’ve had the privilege of associating with disciples of the Blessed One, from laypeople to monastics, it wasn’t until today that I truly felt the complete beauty of the compassion that the "Messengers of the Tathagata" bring. Why only now, you ask? Because when a cup is full, it spills over, and when one truly feels, the notes of gratitude begin to resonate. Perhaps it is because this place has nurtured, embraced, and supported the Bodhi seed within me, helping my heart become more serene and profound.

  

In the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed, and this Hoang Phap Temple has become my spiritual home. The scenery and the people here are truly beautiful and incredibly kind—so kind it’s almost strange. The Buddhists here help without expecting anything in return. It’s such a wonderful environment to cultivate and renew oneself, free from the burdens of life like food, clothing, and shelter that weigh on others. Truly wonderful!

  

If you were to "book" a few days of healing, it would cost you at least a few million dong, and you’d still worry about accommodation, meals, and security. But when you come here, everything is free—you get food, soft skills training, time in nature, and the chance to be yourself. Sometimes I wonder, why is this temple so kind? They welcome everyone! I’m still not quite used to this “free kindness.” But after spending time volunteering here, I’ve grown accustomed to the compassion of the Buddha, manifested through the monks here. They are genuinely selfless! They never suggest or hint at offerings, always giving freely without expectation. Every retreat or event is offered without any fees. All they want is for people to practice diligently—that’s enough! How heartwarming. As a materialist, I’ve now been deeply touched by the Buddha’s spirit, thanks to the monks here. Thank you! A thousand times, thank you!

  

This selfless spirit keeps my faith in Buddhism strong. True practitioners are still here; it’s just a matter of whether we have the good fortune to meet and appreciate them. Thank you, venerable monks, for every meal, every bowl of noodles, every gift, every retreat, every ceremony that brings sentient beings closer to the Triple Gem. This ensures that the Dharma continues to flourish, even when the forces of Mara surround us with distractions like harmful YouTube and TikTok content or misguided practitioners who have shaken people’s faith. But somewhere, like here, the Sangha still strives day and night to steer the boat of the Dharma, bringing joy and reducing suffering for all beings.

A true practitioner is so beautiful! Oh Buddha!

 Respectfully,

 

Phước Huệ

 Translated into English by Nguyen Thi Mai Thao