Mai Beck / Thân Mai I have joined the Altruistic Home Leaving Sangha three times, the first in 2008 when a close friend fell gravely ill. At that time, I had just encountered the teachings of Thầy Hằng Trường and realized this was the Dharma…

By Mai Tran Nguyen (Dharma Name: Thân Mỹ Ngạn) Question: Could you please tell us a little about yourself? Mai Trân: My name is Nguyễn Mai Trân. I’m 75 years old and live in North Carolina. Since childhood, I have been closely connected with Buddhism and…

By Phan Thanh Tùng / Dharma Name: Thân Minh Tùng Beginning with a Seat Ordaining has never been easy for me—not because of inner obstacles, but due to physical challenges. I have a rather large body, which brings difficulties that those with a more balanced…

Quế Trang / Thân Khai Niệm A Spiritual Turning Point in April This past April, a turning point unfolded in my spiritual life. I made the vow to enter the path of altruistic monasticism. Looking back, when the aspiration to ordain first arose in the…

By Oanh Vũ / Dharma Name: Thân Cung Tahquitz in the early mornings of August is truly pristine. Dew still clings to the leaves, sunlight gently touches the distant mountain peaks, and a soft breeze flows through the pine forest and clusters of lavender, carrying…

Over the past two decades, the Xuất Gia Vị Tha Sangha has steadily grown on the path of cultivating compassion and wisdom. Each year, during our twelve-day retreat, we set aside worldly life, put on the robe and sash, uphold the ten novice precepts of…

By Ralph Maamaatua  – Dharma name: Thân Khai Thuận Hí. From Tahiti to Los Angeles, there are no less than 6,000 kilometers. I covered that distance in 8 hours by plane, something my ancestors would have done in a month and a half by double…

MY TEACHER (IN THE DHARMA PATH) “The young man, born of noble lineage, Set aside brush and ink, took up sword and bow…” (From “Lament of the Soldier’s wife” – Đoàn thị Điểm, Nôm script version) That is my master, but he did not “take…

By Lan Choi Q: Can you tell us what is the reason(s) you joined the BTHP program?A: I’ve always loved volunteering—it feels like a blessing to be able to give. There’s something deeply humbling and joyful about being in a position to offer support, rather…

Thúy Võ / Thân Khai Thí Nhậm When I first heard the dharma friends from CSS SJ introduced the Altruistic Home Leaving Program (XGVT), I let them know right  away that I wanted to join, because the thought of getting ordained had planted a seed…