When I was young, I often went to the temple to participate in Buddhist family activities and had many opportunities to interact with nuns. Those nuns had very gentle and peaceful steps, living in harmony and cherishing the miracles of heaven and earth is always in my mind.
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.