The Power of Love

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