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…

Thân Hỷ Trường The conch shell is a small creature, yet it carries a large and heavy shell. That weight causes it to sink and lie silently at the bottom of the deep ocean. Spiritually, we humans are like that conch shell. We carry an…

蔡惠玲 – Thái Huệ Linh / Dharma Name: 親怡慈厚 – Thân Di Từ Hậu When I was young, I held a quiet dream in my heart: to enter monastic life. But my mother needed me by her side in her old age, and out of…

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…

Thu Nga Nguyễn – Thân Khai Nhiên My name is Thu Nga. In 2017, a friend invited me to attend the World Peace Gathering (WPG) Mandala event in Long Beach. This rare and fortunate encounter completely transformed my spiritual life.  From the moment I stepped…

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.…