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 physique rarely face. Although I deeply love the “Altruistic Ordination” program, I had to wait for the opportunity to meet Thầy and share my personal circumstances.
To be honest, I couldn’t sit on the ground—not out of fear of leg pain or backaches, but simply because of my size. When I explained this, Thầy compassionately allowed me to sit on a chair throughout the retreat. During the first Altruistic Ordination retreat at Joshua Tree, I, along with a few fellow practitioners, was permitted to sit on chairs instead of the ground.
Without Thầy’s compassion and generosity, I might never have fulfilled my aspiration to ordain in this lifetime. I am deeply grateful—for his understanding and profound kindness—which created the opportunity for me and other elders who struggle to sit on the ground to attend the annual Altruistic Ordination retreat.
From Hearing the Dharma to Absorbing It
Each retreat marks a transformative step on my spiritual path. I recall the meditation sessions where I struggled to focus due to wandering thoughts. The profound teachings of the Avataṃsaka Hand-Eye Dharma were beyond my grasp. The chanting rituals and mantra recitations felt unfamiliar. After each retreat, I often couldn’t recall the practices clearly.
Yet my faith in Thầy’s Dharma and in the Buddha’s teachings remains deep. I believe that with sincerity and devotion, even unfamiliar teachings will gradually seep into my consciousness—like radiant seeds of light that were once vague shadows, now becoming clearer through recent retreats.
Especially last year, I felt a distinct transformation—the teachings began to penetrate my heart. Perhaps I’ve moved beyond the beginner’s stage? But truly, it’s thanks to Thầy’s clear, methodical, step-by-step guidance—from theory to practice—that I’ve been able to continue applying the Dharma after the retreat. The practice charts, in particular, help me reflect on my progress: am I practicing correctly? Am I improving?
Community as Refuge
I live in Montreal, Canada, and would like to share a bit about our local CSS Sangha, guided by Sister Bạch Huệ. Thanks to fellow practitioners, daily practice has become a habit.
Every morning at 5:30, we gather for group meditation. In the evenings, we meet again—sometimes for meditation, sometimes to review Thầy’s teachings or lessons from the “Altruistic Ordination” program.
This steady rhythm nurtures both spiritual growth and community connection. Though the retreat lasts only about 10 days, we devote our full energy and time to practice. It serves as a springboard to ascend another rung on the spiritual ladder. Yet when returning to worldly life, it’s essential to have a community of Dharma friends to rely on, support, and uplift one another—so our practice doesn’t regress.
A Sacred Moment Inside the Mandala
As you know, the Altruistic Ordination program always concludes with the Mandala Ceremony—solemn and magnificent. One of the retreat’s main purposes is to prepare the Sangha with enough spiritual strength to enter the Mandala. We exercised daily to build physical energy, practiced mantra recitation and seated meditation to refine visualization energy and deepen concentration.
Yet for many years, I had never sat inside the Mandala circle—because I needed a chair. Until last year, when the organizers made a skillful adjustment: they arranged rows of chairs inside the Mandala. Thanks to this inspired initiative, I and many others could fully immerse ourselves in the sacred atmosphere of the closing ceremony.
Indeed, sitting outside the Mandala circle, I still participated in the ceremony and applied all the training from the mountain. But I felt I hadn’t truly merged with the mystical energy of the Mandala—it seemed to brush only the surface of my skin. Only when I sat inside the circle last year did I truly feel the depth and wonder of this Dharma. That energy seemed to penetrate my flesh, enter my organs, and awaken my small consciousness—allowing me to merge with the sacred, transcendent spirit of the Mandala ceremony.
From Businessman to Cultivator
Before embarking on the spiritual path, I was a businessman, running a company and bearing many responsibilities. The pressure drained joy from my life. I saw no way out of the hustle and bustle. My spirit felt empty, my soul stifled.
But after meeting Thầy and practicing his Dharma, I realized the philosophy of “leaving the world to enter it” was profoundly wise and practical. I saw a way out of my weary life. The Avataṃsaka teachings captivated me from the start. Leaving the world helped me see my blind spots; entering it allowed me to help others. This philosophy opened a new horizon I had longed for. Every day, I spent time listening and reflecting on all of Thầy’s talks on Khai Tâm TV and radio—never missing a single one. Gradually, I absorbed and understood the Avataṃsaka Hand-Eye Dharma—a deep spiritual path that truly evolved my soul.
I took refuge with Thầy, and just one year later, I officially ordained. Since then, I’ve attended every retreat without interruption. As mentioned earlier, I’m a large person—before practicing, I wore size 42. Now I’ve slimmed down to size 36. This isn’t just a physical change, but a sign of transformation in old habits—from eating and sleeping to family life and healthy living. Life has become more relaxed, my spirit more joyful, and my health more stable. This reflects the holistic path of practice in Thầy’s Dharma, which I deeply cherish.
Helping Others Through Small Acts
I believe that if we truly understand the spirit of “Altruistic Ordination,” nothing is impossible. Practice is a journey of effort and sincerity. With sincerity, we overcome spiritual challenges, knowing that our practice isn’t just for ourselves—but for others who need merit and our dedication. With effort, the disciplined, simple life of a monastic is no longer an obstacle.
Helping others is also a key factor—a motivation to open the altruistic heart. In the Montreal group, I don’t do grand things, but I always try to support others in small ways, like tracking cheap flights or finding suitable hotels. Whenever I do something beneficial for others, I feel joy spreading within, and my spiritual path becomes more meaningful.
A Heartfelt Gratitude
Ordaining for others is a noble practice, and each of us can do it. For me, it’s a path of serving others—and I only hope to carry out this work within my humble capacity, both during the retreat and in daily life.
In every retreat, I strive in every moment, knowing that receiving the precepts and wearing the robes of a novice monk is a rare and precious karmic opportunity. I close this sharing with deep gratitude to Thầy, to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Thầy’s generosity and the boundless compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have given me the strength and capacity to continue practicing and ordaining each year.
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