Category: Blogging

Nguyễn Mai Trang

I have been fortunate to attend many “Xuất Gia Vị Tha” (Altruistic Home Leaving) retreats over the years, for two profound reasons. First, the aspiration of one who undertakes these vows shines as a beacon—illuminating a path of love and selfless service that is both noble and deeply practical. In my own family, there are many dear ones to whom I wish to dedicate my practice: my husband and younger brother who have passed away, and many elderly relatives in both sides of my family facing illness, hardship, and the decline of age. My love for them has always burned quietly within me, and the XGVT retreat allows me to express that love through concrete action—a flowing stream of compassion that brings them hope, relief, and light.

The second reason is the profound Dharma guidance offered by Thầy  during each retreat. The meditation sessions, in particular, have brought about tremendous transformation in me. Strangely enough, I found myself sitting longer, more focused, and more at ease than in previous times. Perhaps the appearance and intention of a monastic helped me release more easily the worries and entanglements of worldly life. Or perhaps it was the Thầy’s method—so clear, methodical, and balanced between theory and practice—that helped me cultivate strong mindfulness and deep concentration.

In 2024, due to a decline in my health, I sadly had to miss the winter XGVT retreat, unable to endure the harsh cold. Though disheartened, I still held the hope that I’d regain enough strength to return in 2025. In August of that year, to pray for the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to fulfill that wish, I joined a group of Dharma friends on a pilgrimage to Castle Mountain in Canada—a sacred site associated with Manjushri Bodhisattva. Though I knew the path up the mountain would be long and arduous, I remained undeterred. I thought to myself: how many times in one lifetime does one get to set foot on such hallowed ground?

And indeed, it was miraculous. Over the span of the eight-hour journey—both up and down the mountain—I felt a mysterious energy lifting and supporting both my body and spirit, as though some invisible force were silently sustaining me. When I finally reached the summit and joined others in the ceremonial offering, I sensed my prayer had been heard. My health gradually improved, just in time for the spring XGVT retreat, where I returned with a heart full of reverence and deep gratitude to the Triple Gem.

Even now, when I look back on those days, emotion rises in me like a tide. There were moments of such holiness and wonder—like the grand Mandala ceremony, where an atmosphere of sacred stillness filled the space. With thousands of voices chanting in unison, devotedly guiding lost souls toward the inner light of liberation, I was profoundly moved by the spiritual energy radiating from our collective sincerity and boundless compassion.

There were also tender, heartwarming moments—such as the prayer ceremony for Thầy’s health and longevity, held by Rinpoche and his fellow Tibetan monastics. Watching Thầy moved to tears by their offering, my own heart swelled with reverence. It was a moment of deep spiritual connection—an embodiment of the sacred bond between Teacher and disciple.

Returning to the XGVT retreat this year, I recognize how much I’ve changed. My heart feels more spacious now—less caught in attachments, more open to forgiveness, gentler in facing life’s challenges. The Dharma Thầy has imparted continues to help me break free from the narrow confines of ego. Before me now, the spiritual path opens wide—clear, peaceful, and radiant. With immense gratitude to Thầy and my fellow practitioners, I vow to continue this journey of transformation and spread the light of true compassion wherever it may reach.

Thu Nga Nguyễn – Thân Khai Nhiên

Entering the main sanctuary, my heart trembled at the sight of such a solemn setting—unlike anything I had seen at any temple before. 

The volunteers of the Compassionate Service Society (CSS) welcomed me with warmth and kindness. Their polite greetings and friendly demeanor filled me with a gentle joy—a sense of openness in my heart that I had never experienced before.  That very day, I felt a sudden desire to accompany these volunteers in their service work. In fact, I had long held a wish to contribute my efforts to the community, but I had hesitated because I had yet to find a suitable organization. 

After two days at the WPG Mandala I began to explore the Compassionate Service Society in greater depth. To my great fortune, I realized that the association’s vision and structure aligned perfectly with what I had been searching for. Their spirit of volunteerism was not just about offering help—it carried an element of sacrifice, a selfless devotion to others, exactly in line with the ideals of service I had yearned for over the years. 

From that moment on, I officially became a member of the CSS. This experience has helped me grow in many ways—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The Bodhisattva Path training program led by Thay guided me in opening my heart, bringing clarity to both my spiritual path and my everyday life. I came to understand my true purpose in life. 

Since joining the Bodhisattva Protector program, its meaning and mission have become increasingly clear to me.Serving others is no longer just a choice—it has become an essential part of my spiritual practice.Now, having participated in the Bodhisattva Protector program for three consecutive years, I have witnessed the profound dedication of the monastics who take on the path of selfless renunciation. With deep respect, I wholeheartedly dedicate my humble efforts to support them in their spiritual journey. This has also given me the opportunity to apply the principles of the Bodhisattva Path to real-life practice. 

As Thay has shared, a truly complete practice is one that balances transcendence and worldly engagement. I am profoundly grateful to Thay for nurturing my Bodhi mind. Every year, the WPG Mandala bring me heartwarming memories and deepen my gratitude toward the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas—for granting me the conditions to cultivate, and for guiding me to meet Thay who has opened my heart.  The most precious gift I have received from Thay is help in discovering my life’s mission—which includes my heartfelt vow to become a Bodhisattva Protector every year.

My commitment to the altruistic monastic life, like that of my fellow practitioners in the sangha, is a heartfelt offering through practice—seeking to bring benefit and peace to others, to something beyond myself. 

In my first year, I dedicated my merit to my father’s health. In the following years, I prayed for world peace, particularly for the victims of the war in Ukraine. Then, I turned my aspirations toward my homeland in Central Vietnam, wishing that the devastation of floods would come to an end. This year, I have taken monastic vows on behalf of dear friends who longed to do the same but were unable to. Though the reasons for ordination change each year, the joy in my heart remains constant, knowing that I am contributing to healing, support, and hope for others. 

This motivation—to practice for the sake of someone else—has helped me navigate the challenges of this retreat. I always carry the words of my teacher in my heart: to enter monastic life without fear of hardship, difficulty, or constraint. When we nurture an intention for the well-being of others, every challenge becomes merely another step on the path. 

I am profoundly grateful to my teacher. In this year’s altruistic monastic retreat, he has imparted deep wisdom through meticulously structured, step-by-step practices. Though my own level of practice may not be advanced, I have been able to follow and engage fully. I have vowed to continue practicing the “Column of Light” method each day. Meeting my teacher has been an incredible blessing, and I feel immense happiness walking this path under his guidance. 

How do we measure fulfillment, my friends? For me, the fulfillment of this year’s monastic retreat is reflected in a life that is more peaceful and whole—a life that spreads its harmony to loved ones, bringing them greater joy and serenity. I hope this transformation reaches the larger community, planting seeds of well-being in every heart and nurturing the wish for universal benefit. In the end, I vow to walk steadfastly on the Bodhisattva path, uninterrupted and unwavering.

Kim Xuân Lý

Thân Nghinh Xuân

Then one day, having learned about the World Peace Gathering (WPG) in Southern California in a few weeks, I was suddenly awakened. Memories of attending the Altruistic Home-Leaving retreats came back to me vividly. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. It was a wonderful week spent living together with the monastic community, familiar faces, and fellow practitioners from near and far, gathering in the peaceful Big Bear mountains to experience the true life of renunciation, far away from the noise of the mundane world… I was momentarily speechless, savoring that moment of happiness and indescribable joy.

Then, that weekend, I went with my wife to the CSS Center nearby, to participate in activities with fellow practitioners that I hadn’t seen for a long time. As I approached the entrance, from a distance, my dharma brothers and sisters immediately recognized me. They warmly welcomed me as if I were a long-lost sibling returning home. Overwhelmed with emotions, I felt grateful for the warmth and love radiating from everyone, especially their encouragement, advising me to attend the gatherings more regularly. In my heart, I promised to return and consider them my second family.

The day of the two-day Dharma Assembly arrived. Once again, I met old dharma friends from various states across the United States, some from Canada and Germany. They embraced me with both joy and sorrow at our long separation. Perhaps, they felt a tinge of sadness seeing me now, no longer as strong as before, relying on a walker for mobility. For two consecutive days, with a sincere heart, I listened attentively to Thầy’s Dharma teachings. In the evening, I watched the procession of people lighting candles and circumambulating the Anaheim Convention Center grounds, a unique and solemn sight.

The most exceptional moment was when I had the chance to meet four Masters. Thầy Hằng Trường recognized me right away. He held my hand as if transmitting energy to me and gently tapped my head while giving me words of encouragement to continue my spiritual practice. Thầy Hằng Đức and two other Masters also greeted me and bestowed blessings upon me.

Returning to my hometown with a renewed spirit and happiness, I began regularly participating in group activities with fellow practitioners, such as practicing Tai Chi every morning, repentance ceremonies, reciting the Flower Adornment Sutra compiled by Thầy, and memorizing the Great Compassion Mantra (which I thought I had forgotten). I diligently recited sutras daily, reviewed Thầy’s teachings, and practiced writing the Hand-Eye seeds of light, immersing myself in serious practice.

Thank you, all my CSS brothers and sisters, for spreading love and encouragement and providing opportunities for me to continue my cultivation practice. I’m grateful to my family for always being by my side, caring, and loving me. I’ve rediscovered my network of connections, my web of affinities. Dear Thầy, dear dharma brothers and sisters: “I have returned home!”

Those beautiful and touching images embedded a deep desire in my heart to become an altruistic nun when I grow up. But as the years passed quietly and being busy with daily bread and butter, I also forgot my childhood wish until the day I heard Master Heng Chang’s lecture on “Cultivating for others”.

Following in Buddha’s footsteps, I decided to make a vow to become a surrogate nun for my mother with the wish to dedicate all blessings to her. I made an effort to develop full devotion in understanding, nurturing, respect and obedience towards my beloved mother.

During the 10-day retreat in Big Bear Lake, Master Heng Chang taught the method of practicing the Avatamsaka Hand-Eye Dhama through familiar objects in daily life to experience the miraculous truth: The unchanging nature of the True Mind and the constant opening of Bodhicitta, the Bodhi mind.

Wishing to follow Master Heng Chang’s shining example, I vow to maintain diligent efforts to cultivate an open mind with wholesome nature to transform myself and others in every moment of life. With a heartfelt respect and deep gratitude, I bow down before Thay and the Sangha.

Thân Lạc

My mother’s black hair turns gray
Her heart carries deep and heavy sorrows
Raising her young and innocent children
Human life is fragile like a branch full of fruits
The ripe fruits have been fallen due to shaking wind.

I return to the ever-present home of the true mind. Downing my hair is like letting go of a heavy bag full of suffering as well as job and daily life responsibilities. Like a child coming home from a trip rushing to her parents’ arms, I happily take refuge in the Buddha and receive warmth, care, comfort, and healing from Kuan Yin, Bodhisattva, Grand Master Hsun Hua, and Shr Fu Heng Chang.

Like what parents do, Shr Fu takes care of his disciples in every way, from our sleep accommodations to room temperature, food quality, and making sure that our veggie meals are nutritious, cleansing, and healing. I don’t have to worry about what to cook three times a day. Instead, I practice repentance bowing daily to the Buddha, to Shr Fu, to my parents, and to all living beings, asking their forgiveness for all mistakes I have made due to dark thoughts created by my ego.

The posture of prostrating on the ground takes me back to a child’s position in the fetus when the true mind is still clear. Becoming gentle and relaxed, I can feel my true nature that has long been buried. By taking refuge in the Buddha and Shr Fu, I can absorb more dharma and the teachings of the highest truth to equip myself on my journey along the Bodhisattva Path.

When participating in the XGVT program, in addition to receiving ten precepts for a novice, I also receive transmissions for the Precious Bowl Dharma and the Six Hands Dharma. The Precious Bowl Dharma helps me practice the serenity of the great earth to open my heart and mind, embrace all things, accept all life experiences, and to transform all my karmic forces. The Six Hands Dharma helps me recognize the ability to use my hands as expedient means and my eyes as wisdom in outlook and viewpoint when engaging with the world to save life and living beings. I feel better equipped on my mission to do good deeds.

This year, I’ve been told that all XGVT participants will receive the special dharma of the Four Lotuses. We’ll practice visualizing the process of the lotuses from the mud rising above the water surface, similar to the process of our consciousness moving from the subconscious to conscious, then to super conscious level, helping us develop the intuition to recognize the ever-present principle of cause and effect, of seeds growing to become lotus flowers.

Every year when I return to the XGVT sangha, I have the familiar feelings from the first time I joined. As soon as we get off the bus or car, dharma brothers and sisters from all over the world rush over to hug us warmly like family members and dear friends. Perhaps because we all belong to the same web of affinity from many lifetimes and our subconscious has been awakened that very moment.

Like a worry-free child in a big family, I just follow the schedule, bell, or group leader to wake up, go to dharma class with a notebook, eat, sleep, practice CK10, and exercise for a healthy body and peaceful mind. There are times when we do walking meditation in the forest, sitting meditation on a rock by a hilltop, feeling close to nature and far away from the mundane world. We are mindful when meditating, listening to dharma lectures, cultivating, and eating. But there are times when we’re quite playful, climbing up and down the bunk beds like young kids, sharing joy and laughter, taking care of each other, and developing genuine love for those we meet and live with during the short-term home-leaving session. This is the special characteristic of the sangha in the 21st century, a very loving, open, friendly, and congenial sangha.

That’s why XGVT participants keep coming back to the program as if they are “addicted”! Like a dish of food, you have to taste it yourself to feel all the true flavors. The same with XGVT, a path that many people have described to us, but only when we go on this path ourselves can we feel all the wonderful things about it. It is a sangha that unties all knots and weaves a web of lights from hundreds of precious jewels of the True Mind.

Lê Mẫu Đơn

blood test result showed that she had acute leukemia, an incurable disease making life very fragile with very little hope for a cure. My heart sank with shock; everything seemed to fall dark before my eyes.

I have been studying the Dharma with Thay since 2005, but the intention of joining the Altruistic Home-Leaving Program (XGVT) to become a temporary nun on behalf of others had never occurred to me. I loved my niece so much but I didn’t know what to do at that time.

My little sister agonized over her little girl’s condition. She took leave from work to stay home and take care of her baby. If she had to go somewhere, she would want to hurry home to hug her little one who was her life force. One day, she cried to me on the phone, telling me that she had to take her daughter to chemotherapy the next day. She didn’t have enough courage to watch that kind of treatment her little girl had to go through. So heartbreaking for me! At that very moment, the thought of joining XGVT on my niece’s behalf suddenly came to me, like a flash of lightning, unstoppable. From that explosive moment in my deep consciousness until now, I still feel that I’m more blessed than others who have been suffering. Even now, I still pray for my niece.

Nowadays, my niece is a beautiful and smart young lady. Only 22, yet she already received a Master degree in Bio-Chemistry, and has a good job. Because of her, I have changed into a new person, become more responsible, and have enough courage to let go of my old attachments. As the saying goes, “When love is big enough, all limitations are erased!” So poignant!

Before ending, I would like to express my gratitude to Thay and all dharma brothers and sisters who helped create the XGVT program and build a sangha foundation for our annual Mandala to give everyone opportunities to practice the dharma, to self reflect, and to live and sacrifice for their loved ones.

Mộng Vân

Truong and the Compassionate Service Society in Orange County, California. I never understood until now what motivated them to leave home for two weeks during the preparation of the holidays, shaved their head, and prayed for others. How did they do it and why did they do it?

In 2014, I decided to do it, not because of anyone’s challenge or dare, but because I believed there must have been a spiritual transformation or something magical happening during those weeks of being a novice nun or monk. I did not participate the first time when they were organizing World Peace Gathering (WPG) in 2009, for fear this event was for other people: shaving my head and having to go back to the office bald was beyond my limit. That was a very tough challenge for me. Friends and family would think that I have cancer; makeup and dressing up sure will not look good with a bald head. I was so very vain. Giving up our hair is like giving up our best effort to look beautiful to the world around us, for acceptance, for compliments, and for identity. That is a big sacrifice for any woman. We like to look good every day. As soon as we get up, we look at the mirror to check how we look, how others might perceive us, from morning till night, from youth to adulthood, to our golden age. Most women like to shine in a crowd, stand out in a party, to be admired, to be envied.

Little did I know that, when you conquered that big challenge the first time, it becomes easier and easier the next time. This is just the beginning. I still remember vividly now, my first time waiting for my turn to get my head shaved by Master Hang Truong. For every lock of hair that he shaved off, each one was a commitment to cultivate for my parents, for my husband and children, for our family members, for our friends, and for all living beings. I still can’t believe that I did it. I felt so light. What you sacrificed to offer to your loved ones for their good health and well-being, it sure gave you back a great feeling of letting go of your mask, a faked persona that you have to wear for different activities, different situations (at home, the office, a reunion, a dance, the market, etc.).

That mask is definitely not you. Once you took off your mask, you feel free and have no worry about other people’s remarks or judgements. You are truly free, free to be the true you!

During the two weeks of training, we did a lot of repentance bowing to diminish our karma. We learned and discussed part of the Avatamsaka Sutra teachings to lift us to a higher consciousness. We meditated to see our inner self and stay aware of our big ego at all times. And we learned how to live harmoniously as a community of good brothers and sisters ready to share our knowledge, our wisdom, and our life. We didn’t just repent and pray for our own karma but also for our loved ones’ karma or our web of affinities.

There are things in life that you wish to do for others that you can’t force them to do. Joining the Short-term Altruistic Home-Leaving sangha and transferring all your efforts and merits to them is a great way to give and contribute to your family, friends, and all the people around you.

I do cherish all the times I spent with Master Hang Truong and my extended family so much that I’m committed to attend the World Peace Gathering every year when I can. For 12 years now, I’ve experienced this spiritual transformation again and again, and each time I learned more about letting go of my own identity. My ego is slowly diminishing and my true self starts to shine slowly, each year better than the last.

Now when it comes time to make that first step into the Mandala at the World Peace Gathering, you just feel like flying out of your cocoon to become a free and beautiful butterfly. It is a magical moment. When we meditate and pray inside the Mandala, I feel that the whole universe is listening and is praying with me. Their voice is my voice and my voice is the whole universe’s voice. We are one. I become one with the universe.

The feeling of love, care, and blessing just poured down on me like a beautiful summer rain. I am surrounded by love and warmth. My whole body seems so at ease and relaxed, that I feel that I am home. I am truly home.

I invite all of you to feel the same wonderful feeling with all of us at the next World Peace Gathering.

Kim Bằng Lê

part in this wonderful and profound program. I hope that all conditions are right so I can attend my 3rd XGVT this year.

Some of you may know that the impetus for my becoming a temporary nun of the 2019 XGVT sangha in Koyasan, Japan was to pray for our grandson Wesley to be able to walk normally and for my husband Jim to recover fully from his mild strokes. Thankfully they both are doing quite well. I am so grateful to have my family support. In 2019, my daughter Lynn and her family came from New York to be with my husband for me to go to Japan which was one in a lifetime cultivation trip for me and many other members of the sangha.

At the closing ceremony to end my time as a temporary nun, I vowed to attend the XGVT program every year. I believe making this vow helped me make it a reality. I want to encourage everyone to make vows to attend the XGVT program if that is what you want to do.

With deep gratitude, peace, joy, and hope, I truly appreciated the right conditions for me to attend the XGVT in 2021. Again, this year I greatly appreciate the support of my husband, our daughter Ann and our niece Trang who will again come from Portland to keep my husband company while I will be at the XGVT. Planning to attend the annual XGVT also helps me to dedicate my time and effort to practice more diligently with Thay and CSS members during the year. The grandeur of the Mandala design as part of the XGVT in 2021 was breathtaking. I hope you can see it for yourself in 2022.

Thanks to Thay’s encouragement, these are my vows after the 2021 XGVT:

With deep appreciation to Thầy and to all dharma brothers and sisters in CSS.

Châu Yoder