TTT Spirit #3 January 2009

Newsletter by and for people of young spirit - practicing the way of love and understanding
TTT Spirit January 2009
Editorial

D ear Sangha,
CONTENTS

DHARMA
Lắng lòng nghe tiếng gọi quê hương
Sông núi trong ra ñẹp lạ thường Finding Our True Home 1
Về tới quê xưa tìm gốc cũ Multi-Sharing: Where Is Your True Home? 5
Qua rồi cầu hiểu tới cầu thương Open Letter to Young People 11
Where Is Home? 14

Listen to the voice of your true home True Self and The Miracle That Is You 16
with a calm mind Thanh Thủy’s Apple Juice 19
The sea and mountains are MINDFULNESS TRAININGS
extraordinarily beautiful
Baobabs 21
Returning to your home,
finding your ancient roots Buddha’s Traffic Signs 23
After having crossed To Kill or not to Kill 27
the bridge of understanding, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
you will reach the bridge of love
Interview with Sư Cô Tôn Nghiêm 30
-Sư Ông Thích Nhất Hạnh – Về Giữa Gió Xuân 32
Vom Kräuter sammeln/ About Collecting Herbs 34/ 60

Listen to the voice of TTT Spirit CULTURE

with a calm mind… The Birth of The Buddha 37
Please follow Thầy’s advice and take Our True Home 39
three wonderful mindful breaths with us
Tiếng Chim Líu Lo 40
to return to your true home. Then with a
calm mind, take time to read the Don’t Hurry! 41
wonderful contributions from our Living in The Present Moment 42
brothers and sisters. SOCIAL
We wish that you enjoy TTT Spirit #3 The Art of Giving 43
and that you will be inspired to practice! Youth & Action 46
Supporting Montagnard Children 48
In gratitude to you all and NEWS
with much love and affection,
European Buddhist Youth

Luận & Hân ( your editors) For A Healthy & Compassionate Society 49
The Cave of The Yellow Dog 53
The Rain Falls on The Just and Unjust 54
Install a Mindfulness Bell on your
computer, which reminds you to go Vegetarian Vietnamese Cookery 56
back to your home by going to: Vegan Chocolate Cake 57
www.mindfulnessdc.org/ SANGHA ACTION
mindfulclock.html
Self-Free Day 58
TTT Spirit January 2009
Dharma

Finding Our True Home

M y True Home
My true home is not in France
where Plum Village practice
center is located. My true home is not in the
I have a home that no one can take away, and
I feel very comfortable in that home. In my
true home there is no discrimination, no
hatred, because I have the desire and the
United States. My capacity to embrace
true home cannot be everyone of every race,
described in terms of and I have the aspiration,
geographic location or in the dream to love and
terms of culture. It is too help all peoples and all
simplistic to say I am species. I do not feel
Vietnamese. In terms anyone is my enemy.
of nationality and Even if they are pirates,
culture, I can see very terrorists, Communists,
clearly a number of or anti-Communists, they
national and cultural are not my enemies. That
elements in me - is why I feel very
Indonesian, Malaysian, comfortable.
Mongolian, and others.
There is no separate I heard the story of a
nationality called young Japanese man
Vietnamese; the who went into a café.
Vietnamese culture is While he was drinking
made up of other cultu- his coffee he heard two
ral elements. There are young men talking in
elements of Chinese, Vietnamese and crying.
French, and Indian The young Japanese
culture in me. You man asked them in
cannot take these out of English: “Why are you
me. If you remove them, I will not be the crying?” The Vietnamese men said: “We
person who is sitting here. In me there are also cannot go back to our country, our homeland.
cultural elements from Africa, and beautiful The government there will not allow us to go
elements of Native American culture in me. back.” The Japanese man got upset and said:
For example, in my room I hang a dream “This is not worth crying over. Even though
catcher so I can contemplate my dreams just you are in exile and cannot go back to your
for fun. 1
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“
Stop trying to find
your home in space, time, culture,
territory, nationality, or race.
country, you still have a country, a place
where you belong. But I do not have a
country to go back to.
“I was born and raised in the United States,
and culturally I am American. But I feel
uncomfortable because Americans do not
truly accept me; they see me as foreigner. So
I went to Japan and tried to make it my
home. But when I arrived the Japanese
people told me that the way I speak and
behave are not Japanese and I was not
accepted as a Japanese person. So, even
though I have an American passport and
even though I can go to Japan, I do not have
a home. But you do have a home.”
Like the Japanese-American in the story,
there are many young Asian-Americans who
have been born and raised in the United
States, who are American in their way of
thinking and acting, and they want to be seen
as true Americans, immersed in this culture.
But other Americans do not accept them as
Americans because their skin color is yellow.
So they feel sad and want to go back to
Japan , Korea , or Vietnam to find their
home. They think: if it’s not in America , my
home has to be somewhere else. But they
don’t fit in with the culture of their ancestral
country either.
“
This is not to say that white people have
found their home and feel comfortable in the
United States . Just like Vietnamese people
in Vietnam , many people do not feel
January 2009
comfortable in their own country and want to
go elsewhere. Very few among us have
found our true home. Even though we have
nationality, we have citizenship, and a
passport that allows us to go anywhere in the
world, we still do not have a home.
L ife Is Our True Home
In the Colors of Compassion retreat
we have learned and practiced to be
in contact with our true home, the true home
that cannot be described by geographical
area, culture, or race.
Every time we listen to the sound of the bell
in Deer Park or in Plum Village , we silently
recite this poem: “I listen, I listen, this
wonderful sound brings me back to my true
home.” Where is our true home that we come
back to? Our true home is life, our true home
is the present moment, whatever is
happening right here and right now. Our true
home is the place without discrimination, the
place without hatred. Our true home is the
place where we no longer seek, no longer
wish, no longer regret. Our true home is not
the past; it is not the object of our regrets,
our yearning, our longing, or remorse. Our
true home is not the future; it is not the
object of our worries or fear. Our true home
lies right in the present moment. If we can
practice according to the teaching of the
Buddha and return to the here and now, then
the energy of mindfulness will help us to
establish our true home in the present
moment.
Our true home lies right
in the present moment.
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According to the teaching of the Buddha, the
Pure Land lies in the present moment;
Nirvana and liberation lie in the present
moment. All of our spiritual and blood
ancestors are here if we know how to come
back to the present moment. My true home is
the Pure Land , my true home is true life, so I
do not suffer or seek. I do not run after
anything anymore. I very much want all of
you who have come here for the retreat,
whether your color is black, white, brown, or
yellow, to also be able to practice the teaching
of the Buddha in order to come back to the
present moment, penetrate this moment and
discover your true home. I have found my true
home. I have happiness, and I want all of my
friends, students, and disciples to be able to
reach your true home and stop trying to find it
in space, time, culture, territory, nationality, or
race.
“
In my true home there is
no discrimination, no hatred –
I have the desire to embrace and
love all peoples and all species.
The Buddha offers us wonderful practices so
we can end our worries, our suffering, our
seeking, our regrets, and so we can be in
contact with the wonders of life right in the
present moment. When we have the mind of
nondiscrimination, we can open our arms to
January 2009
“ To be civilized means
to be open-minded, to offer space
to others to live according to
their views.
embrace all people and all species and
everybody can become the object of our love.
When we can do this, we have a true home
that no one can take away from us. Even if
they occupy our country or put us in prison,
our true home is still ours, and they can never
take it away. I speak these words to the young
people, to those of you who feel that you have
never had a home. I speak these words to the
parents who feel that the old country is no
longer your home but that the new country is
not yet your home. Perhaps you can grasp this
practice so you can find your true home and
help your children find their true home. This
is what I wish for you....
S peaking to Young People
If you have a great aspiration to learn
about other cultures, to go to other
countries and to help people accept and
understand each other, you have a very great
ideal. With that ideal you will not get stuck in
despair, blaming others for your difficulties;
instead your life will be very meaningful. I am
sharing these words with the young people.
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Dharma

Many young people have no culture to come together with those

path and don’t know what to from other cultures. This will
do with their life each allow understanding and
day. So they turn to acceptance to grow,
drugs or alcohol and remove boundaries,
waste their lives. and heal conflicts.
This is such a pity,
because each The Buddha
young person can teaches us not to
become a great be foolish, not to
Bodhisattva, a run after the
great enlightened objects of desire:
being whose riches, fame,
deepest desire is power, and
to help people and sensual pleasure.
bring together those There are people,
who are separated by who have a lot of
hatred or cultural difference. money, power, fame,
and sex, but they suffer
endlessly; some even commit

“
If we have found
our true home then we will have
enough love and understanding
to help.
To be civilized means to be open-minded, to
offer space to others to live according to their
views. Civilization is opening our arms to
embrace all races, all people, all species; it is
not thinking that our race or our culture is
superior to all others. If young people can
open their hearts wide to learn about their own
and other cultures, they will begin to have rich
insights. They can help those who are
still isolated and caught in their own
suicide. When we come back to the present
moment to be in touch with the wonders of
life, we become rich, we become free from
objects of craving, and we have the
opportunity to recognize our wonderful true
home. If we have found our true home then
we will have enough love and understanding
to help transform and heal the wounds
caused by violence, hatred, and
discrimination.
Sư Ông Thích Nhất Hạnh
Selected excerpt from the Dharma Talk on
the 28th of March 2004, Colours of
Compassion Retreat, Deer Park Monastery

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M Dear brothers and sisters,

U
L Where is your True Home ?
T
I
Last year I returned to Australia to lead
retreats and to visit my family after an
absence of three years. During the time I
was in Brisbane I stayed with my younger
brother Ben and his partner Jacqui. On
the day that I was to fly back to Plum
Village, Jacqui wished me a safe trip
home. At first I was a little taken aback,
S because here I was "visiting home", and
yet at the same time being wished a safe
trip to my other home. During the long
H flight back to France, I reflected on this
and realized that after living overseas for so long yes, Australia is home, but
so is France, so is the US and so is Vietnam. All of these places have shaped
A and entered me and my heart belongs to each of them. I think at a certain
point, we also begin to belong to the places that we have lived.

R As monastics we are called "left home people" - in Vietnamese người xuất

gia. This means that we step out from a home in time and in space in order to
be able to feel at ease and at home wherever we go. It also means that I
I belong to all places and to everybody. In an even deeper sense it means to
look deeply and to see the places that I hide - to not allow myself to become
too complacent, but to be willing to always be open and enthusiastic about
N the gift of life.

G Thầy Pháp Hải – Deer Park Monastery

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Home, Sweet Home

To me, home is where I like to feel at ease and

peace. It's a place where we all live, play, work,
practice, and hang out together under the spirit of
brotherhood and sisterhood. It's where true love
and mutual understanding naturally occur, and
where squash and pumpkin can live happily
together.

Sư Chú Pháp Nguyện – Plum Village

Home is a place where I could share my most

embarrassing moments and have so much joy
laughing about them. A place where I could sit
quietly for hours and don't feel the need to say
anything.

Sometime I found my home by sitting next to a

friend. Sometime by laying down under a tree
watching the clouds fly by. I noticed lately little
things like that make me very happy. Thank you.

Hằng – Plum Village

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My “True Home” is there,

where I feel well and safe,
where there are people, who
love me as I am and accept
my mistakes. Being with my
family makes me feel well,
therefore my home is where
my family is.

Liên Mai Nguyễn (17) - Rheine

To me “True Home” is not

only my homeland, but it is
also the place at which and the
people with whom I feel well,
safe and secure.

Thanh Yến Nguyễn (15) - Rheine

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Dharma

Tiếng chuông gọi ta về một mái nhà, hai

câu kệ, bụi tre xanh, ngồi trên phiến ñá thật
thảnh thơi, nhìn mọi người, ñể học yêu
thương, niềm vui chợt tràn ñến, quê hương
thật ñơn sơ, nằm ngay trong tầm tay - Aha,
hạnh phúc là bây giờ và ở ñây!

The sound of the bell calls me back to the

one roof, the practice gathas, the green
bamboo bush. Where I sit peacefully on a
rock, looking deeply at everyone so I can
practice love. Suddenly joy arises within
me, my home is so simple, right here in my
palms – Aha, happiness is right here and
right now!

Hoa Thuyền - Hamburg

Home is where I have inner freedom.

Being free from regrets and worries - able to

recognize the wonders of life in the present
moment; the presence of my beloved ones, the
smile of a child, the freshness of green leaves…
Being free from anger and hatred – able to
transform such states of mind and forgive the
persons who made me suffer…
Being free from judgment - able to accept myself
and other people as they are….
I feel at home when I do, say, think and consume
something which nourishes the good seeds in me
and other people, and have positive effects on
animals, plants and minerals.
Home is also an environment with people sharing mutual aspirations and offering
understanding, unconditional love, peace, joy - a place where we all can be who we
really are!

Thùy-Hân Nguyễn-Chí (20) - Antwerp

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Home is where I feel free. Home is a state of

mind. When there is confusion, I am not at
home. My mind is somewhere else, but not in
my body. When body and mind are together
peacefully, I am at home.

A home in the outer world is a place where

people try to live in harmony. I hope that soon
the whole world will try to live in harmony.
May all beings be happy.

Matthias Grümayer (23) - Vienna

I'm at home when I stop, I look at

the blue sky, the fluffy white
clouds, and I see in the distance
a flock of geese, travelling like a
Sangha.

Ernesto Morales (27) - Valencia

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Simple as Home

February 1999. Landon Donovan, one of the most

promising american soccer players, signed a big
contract with Bayer Leverkusen, a prestigious soccer
club of the German Bundesliga. He's just 16 years old.
For him, future looks bright. Far from home, in a new
country. “I was off by myself. I was excited. At that
age, freedom is the coolest thing.” He played good
games with the U.S. election at Olympics in 2000 and all 5 games at the 2002
Soccer World Cup. All specialists see in him the future greatest American
soccer player of all time.

Despite this bright starting career, he missed something : “Home”. He missed

his family, his friends, his life in his house, a few blocks from the Pacific
Ocean. He even missed his favorite Cold Stone Ice-cream. “I was out of it
mentally, I wasn't inspired to play anymore.” “For me, it's all about being
happy,” Donovan says. “For me, soccer is fun; it's happy. If I don't have that,
I'm useless.“ He wasn't happy anymore, 6000 miles away from home, in of
the best German football clubs. So he took a decision in 2005 : going back
home to San Jose soccer club, in California. For him, it's the best decision.
Not for everybody. Most of people criticized him. Why did he leave the
lucrative Bundesliga for the less competitive U.S. Major League Soccer?
“The problem is that people have expectations of who you are, what you're
supposed to be, how your career is supposed to progress. Fans do, even
friends and family do sometimes. But I have to make the decisions. Soccer is
important to me, but at the end of the day, it's just a game.“

After years miles away from home, Landon realized that he didn't need to go
far to be happy. He's just happy as a normal football player. At home. No
need to be the best American player ever. He is not the same person that
wanted to go far away to play in the best clubs in Europe. His life is much
better now: He and his girlfriend finally decorated their new house, walking
on the beach…and he doesn't miss his Cold Stone ice-cream anymore. “I've
never really been home. I've been moving around the world for six years.
Finally all my stuff is in one place. It's almost overwhelming. I keep thinking,
‘This isn't really my life; somebody's going to take it back.’ “

Sometimes, Happiness is as simple as “Home”.

Khương Lân Cao Thái (25) – Paris

Quotes taken from "ESPN Magazine“ and "Sports Illustrated“ 10
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Open Letter to Young People
W hen Hân asked me to write an article
for the young people so that she
could incorporate it in TTT Spirit
newsletter, I answered her with a smile and a
little embarrassed: “But I don't know what to
say... What can I write?” She replied simply:
“You can write what you would like to tell to
the young people”. Her answer helped make
the approach easy for me.
I would like to start by saying that I am a
monk and I am young (at least I feel young!), I
am French, and I became a monk here in Plum
Village about seven years ago. I am very
happy to live this life because I feel very free.
I am free to love and contemplate, free to
listen and remain silent; I am free to speak
frankly and with gentleness, free to understand
and forgive others; I am free to be attentive,
take time and appreciate life deeply. I am free
and happy because I can finally live up to the
values which are so dear to me, and that it was
so difficult to express naturally before, even
(or especially) among the ones who were so
close to me like my family and friends. Today,
I consider that I am here where I am in order
to love. Life is wonderful and uncertain: we
don't know how long each of us still has to
live, that is why I want to use each day in a
meaningful way. I want to offer my presence,
my care and my attention to every situation, to
my brothers with whom I live, to all my
friends, even to our companions the animals,
the insects, the trees and the plants, the earth,
the wind and the water.
Most of us as young people we have an ideal
January 2009
Plum Village, 4th January 2008
of life that reflects our deep thirst for
connection with the Universe and its infinite
ways of expression. It may be about finding
true Love in our relationship with Mother
Earth and with Nature through all beings; or it
may be about expressing Beauty as an art
through our own personality or through any
different skills such as writing, painting,
playing music, acting, and so on. One way or
another, it is all about being true to ourselves
and going back to the Source of life within us
and around us. It has always been about
finding our identity, our true self. Soon after
we awaken to the Source of love inherent in
life, and to the universal Truth of the Oneness
of all life, we come to face the contradiction
of a social, educational, and cultural world
that seems to be only good at denying our
discovery of love and our sensitivity to the
Beauty of humanity.
It is all about being
true to ourselves and
going back to the Source
of life within us and around us.
Soon, contradictions and conflicts arise
between the growing new man or woman in us
and the outside world, which will eventually
lead us to confronting authority in all its
forms, including and starting with that of our
parents, and extending to any kind of
institutional authority. As a consequence,
there is a kind of resistance, which can take
one of two forms: the first is to fight against
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the injustice and false hope fostered by society
and its rulers, the second is to undergo the
tension within and silently struggle with it.
One way is manifesting violence outwardly,
while the other way is directing it inward. At
this point most of us will feel misunderstood
and trapped, very angry and rebellious while
trying to keep balanced and cope with the play
of the everyday life.
Dear friends, we find ourselves here with a
reserve of energy that is coming both from a
sense of true belonging to life and from its
confrontation between that feeling and the
reality of our society. It is time to use that
resource as a beneficial, common spiritual
good. As all connections always end up
evolving in relationships, communication
becomes the main vehicle for experiencing
harmony, mutual understanding, and for self-
realization to be possible in our daily
interactions with others.
Dwelling in the present moment
as much as we can,
we soon master the art of
looking deeply into life.
Here in Plum Village, at every moment of our
life, we learn and develop the art of deep
listening and skillful, loving speech. We
always begin by stopping in some way and
coming back to ourselves. This enables us to
reconnect with the breath of life in us right
away, thus allowing distractions of all kinds to
calm down and stop taking us away from our
true self, our true home. Dwelling in the
present moment as much as we can, we soon
master the art of looking deeply into life. We
understand more and more about the path that
we have always wanted to walk, and we see
January 2009
more and more clearly into the direction we
want to take as well as how to take it.
Mindfully taking care of our breathing, we
reunite mind and body, and feel solid and free
at the same time. Attentive to our thinking
patterns, to our emotions, our speech and our
actions, we learn to be more happy, solid and
peaceful, and we can begin to smile. At that
point, the rebellion is almost no longer there.
It is changing into a celebration of life that is
reconciling us with others and with ourselves.
A new flow of energy is now running in our
veins. From sunrise till sunset, the events of
the day come to us as opportunities to learn.
We can't help but cultivate joy and love
through thousands of smiles that ever remind
us of the nature of our discovery, of our
understanding of the fact that everything is
one, everyone is impermanent and precious,
and that there is only one thing to do in this
lifetime, that is to be there for others.
We live here as a family with big brothers and
younger brothers, big sisters and younger
sisters. We have a spiritual father who is also
our grandfather monk and he is great. We
have a big sister; she is like a mother and a
grandmother nun for many of us, and she is
very active, too. Our family is very diverse in
age and cultural background: most of my
brothers and sisters are Vietnamese or
American, but there are also many from other
countries; to the point that I sometimes feel
like I don't know for sure what I am myself,
and I like it that way. In fact, I believe that I
am a mixture of all these different cultures. I
feel quite rich at times. Yet, I realize every
day that the true richness is others!
Two years ago, we organized for the first time
a retreat for young people. It was a real
success because we experienced brotherhood
and sisterhood in a way that was deeply
fulfilling. There was a spirit of community
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living with a sense of communication and
connection that bonded us tightly, thus
making us feel very close to one another,
experiencing trust and joy. From this was born
“the Community of the Heart”.
Everything is one, everyone is
impermanent and precious –
there is only one thing to do
in this lifetime, that is
to be there for others.
After that successful adventure, we organized
a second gathering with the initiative of a
group of young people from the first retreat.
Our second meeting took place last summer
and was very cozy, warm and uplifting both
for the group and for everyone. We are
planning a third retreat for the month of June
2008, again for ten days, and for people
between 16 and 25 years old who can speak at
least English or French.
For me, these times of sharing life together for
more than a week are occasions for us to learn
to be there for one another, present and
attentive so that feelings of real unity can
develop.
We truly become brothers and sisters for each
other. It is at the same time a rediscovery of
my own youth, where I can learn through
others to recognize the many joys and
difficulties I myself experienced as a teenager
or a young adult: struggles and doubts, fears,
despairs, as well as hopes, thirsts and pulls for
life, moments of overwhelming optimism and
uplifting visions.
I discover everyday how much to be young is
not limited to physical age. A few days ago,
January 2009
Hân invited me to take part in a tea party for
young people. I told her, again with a smile
and yet a little hesitant: “But I am not that
young anymore, you know”. She replied quite
naturally, and sincerely: “This is also for those
who are young in spirit!” I enjoyed her answer
very much.
I can see youth in the freshness of a face, in
the luminosity of a smile, in the brightness of
a look, and all of that is seen in someone's
availability to life in the present moment. I
think that's what it means to be young. It is to
be fully alive. Therefore, I believe that is
exactly what we are learning to do, to live,
and to share together here all day long. We
learn, or we relearn, to live in an atmosphere
of peace, of stillness and of shared joy, with
harmony and confidence, with respect and
acceptance for one another, for what we are
now and for who we are truly.
I invite you all to come join us and
experience smiling and making friends in an
authentic way. We begin by putting down
tensions and worries, and by relaxing and
resting from the dust and the weariness of our
existences. Then, we learn to smile, to receive,
to share and to give. We taste the freedom and
the joy that are accessible in this very life
through new, fresh, spacious relationships, full
of hope.
With all my heart, I wish you a good journey
and a good trip both to here and to the place
within you where you acknowledge yourself
fully in an authentic relationship with life.
Be at peace! Be free!
On behalf of the
Community of the Heart,
Thầy Pháp Khí
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Where Is Home?

Where is home when the place that I was born is far away?
Where is home when the land in which I played does not exist?
Where is home when the folk that I so loved no longer are here?
Where is home when the leaders who had our trust destroyed it?
Where is home when the body longs for a resting-place beside its soul?
Where is home when its memories linger on as a silent cry?
Where is home when the cry sounds endlessly recalling hope?
Where is home when the hope becomes a reality to come home?
Where is home when the reality materializes from a longing dream?
Where is home for those who suffer still?
Come, brothers, come sisters, share my home

T his is a poem written by my grandfather

before his death, answering the big
question that we ask ourselves everyday,
where is home?
“if I had this, if I had that,”, but we forget to
be in the present moment, we forget what
really is, what’s true here and now.

Going for a walk in the park, one may spend

We live in a world full of technology, full of
distractions, difficult situations and people
that take our mind away from the most
important thing, being with ourselves,
knowing what’s best for us. We spend our
lives looking for happiness in exterior things,
fancy cars, money, fancy clothes etc…, but we
forget to enjoy what is. We’re always thinking
hypothetical, “if I had lots of money, I would
buy myself a house in the Caribbean Islands”,
their time talking on their mobile phone,
thinking of the person that they’re talking
with, thinking what he’s doing, where, and
why. But if he thinks like this, he does not pay
attention to the beautiful nature around him.
He doesn’t see the trees, the water in the pond,
the green grass on the lawn, the sun, the rain,
the clouds, all the wonders of life that are
around him. He looks for happiness in his
computer, his ipod, his mobile phone. He
14
TTT Spirit January 2009
Dharma

thinks that if he has all the latest technology, truly arrived, we are truly home where we
he’s happy. Just the other day, a friend of belong. And if we take the example of
mine asked me if I had this or that, he named happiness again, it is the same. Deep
all the latest technology invented, which he happiness, joy is found when being present.
has at home, and I could only say yes to one Being present with ourselves and with others,
out of about 10. “You’re so behind,” he said, we can be happy together. That is the practice
and this may be the case, but I also look at of “being together in joy”, also called “Be-
him, and I see that he isn’t really happy. He in”.
thinks he’s happy because he can spend his
day with the most fancy technology available, We could change the last line of the poem too.
but I see that he has all these things, but I have “Dear brothers, dear sisters, come and share
happiness. I am happy. my joy with me.”
I see joy in what is, Being together in
in what is real, joy is the best part
what’s alive, not in a of a friendship. We
computer screen. can really be
present with each
This is what the other, and enjoy
poem is about, finding each others com-
happiness in what is. pany, and we are at
It starts with the lines home, we have
“Where is home found home and
When the place that happiness in the
I was born in is far same moment. It’s
away?” “Where is Wonderful.
home when the land
in which I played does I have my
not exist?” We could grandfather to
rephrase it. “Where thank for this
can I find happiness lovely reminder.
when the place that I so loved no longer is. It’s helping me everyday, and will continue to
How do I find happiness when the people do so for many, many years.
around me are suffering so deeply?” This is
the way I see the poem. The answer to the
question is found through practice. My
grandfather was not a practitioner, he had Kasper Stevenson (16) – Lestang
never been in touch with Buddhism or any
other type of practice, but this poem shows his
Zen nature, his Dharma. In the end of the
poem, he invites friends to come and share the
home he has found. We could look at this
home, as Thầy would call it, as “the island
within ourselves”. Going deep, finding true
peace within us, that is true home. We have
15
TTT Spirit January 2009
Dharma

True Self
and
The Miracle That Is You

I
was in the fitting rooms at the friends, money in the bank and trips around
Calvin Klein outlet store in Las the world. And here, now, all of it has passed.
Vegas, trying on a pair of jeans. Him, my person, that thing I was holding so
They didn't fit, and not in the usual dear to. The thing I suffered with, thinking
way. I wasn't concerned with the sagging butt that it would make me happy. In the end, it
and thighs, and the fact that the color made me never could. With it, I never could fulfill my
look like a skeleton. I mission on earth
was concerned more completely -- to love,
with the health of my unconditionally, to
mind. It seemed my ten remove the barrier
years of mindfulness between me, mine and the
practice finally caught other, to finally live at
up with me. How many peace.
times must I put on this
false sense of self? How I had the honor of being
many times must I part of the Plum Village
delude my body into Delegation to Vietnam
thinking it has an last year in spring
image to portray, a with our teacher, to
personality, a look, a pray for the lost souls
reason to fit in? Do I who died because of war.
really want to do this I wrote a song called
again? I began to cry, Soldier, when I was
sobbing really, looking nineteen, and took a new
into the mirror, “What version of the song with
Have I done? What am me for the people on
I doing here? I just don't the trip to listen to.
belong.” Soldier was my
declaration to my family, to the world, that
I put the pants back on the shelf and hurriedly I didn't want to build another wall between
left the building. I sped quickly to the car, got me and them, and that I wanted to live
in, closed the door, and let it all go. That self embracing others with compassion, that I
I'd been clinging to had brought me wonderful wanted to develop compassion.
things...a dream of becoming a huge star,
16
TTT Spirit
Dharma
SOLDIER
I don’t want to be a soldier
And feed the bleeding wounds of war
I don’t want to be
The recklessness of hearts
The laughter, joy, compassion torn
I don’t want to leave our hunger
The last remaining toils of peace
I don’t want to be a hero
I want to be your brother
I don’t want to build a fortress
To take the freedom from my heart
I don’t want to see the cause of pain
Then lead us all away from home
I don’t want to be a prisoner
And lock these worries in my womb
I don’t want to be a savior
I want to be your brother
Oh...Ahh...
I want to tell my sister
My mother father too
The gifts in life are plenty
The choice to grow and change
I want our generation
To heal the wounds of war
I want to be your freedom
I want to be your brother
Oh...Ahh...
“ My mission on earth is
I want to be your brother
I want to be your brother
I want to be your brother
I want to be your brother
Oh...Ahh...
Music and Lyrics by Brian Kimmel
©1999 Brian Kimmel. All rights reserved.
January 2009
On the trip, I looked into the eyes of the
elder Vietnamese men and women who had
seen it all, had seen the bombs, and felt the
explosions in their heart. How to describe
the way I felt holding on desperately to my
American Body drenched in their tears, my
own tears. “How can I help?” I thought,
“How can I tear down the walls that
separate us?”
It takes courage to see another person’s
suffering, and to bare witness to our own
suffering as we are with that person.
Mindfulness can bring to us the energy we
need to help ourselves and others. If we
want to do something totally different,
totally extreme from our peers, from the
majority, it must be love. The work of
opening our hearts is truly unique. No one
else can love the same. No one else can
express their mindfulness exactly alike.
Imagine if the youth of the world, devoted
their lives to awakening. It is a beautiful
gift to offer, and it is totally distinct
amongst any other vocation or hobby.
to love, unconditionally,
to remove the barrier between
me, mine and the other,
to finally live at peace.
The most important mantra of all is, “I am
doing the best I can.” It means no matter if I
am doing something my parents, or teachers
might disapprove of, it is my True Self I
need to listen to the most. True Self has my
very best interests at heart, and wants me to
be safe, mindful, and attentive to life. True
Self is the person I live with everyday, the
17
TTT Spirit
Dharma
person I grow old with, and whose face I see
in the mirror. I want to live the aspiration: “I
am doing my best.” I want to make my best,
the gift I offer others -- my True Action of the
heart.
Watching the news, overhearing from friends,
or even just checking my e-mail I see the
terrors that befall our country, and other
countries: War, Famine, Fighting, Scandals.
It's all too much to bare sometimes, and I feel
powerless, a victim to my anger and despair.
Sometimes my best just isn't enough. I feel in
my body, that what I've done, and what I'm
doing, whether it is writing and performing
music, or leading meditation groups is not
enough. But I know this way of thinking
comes from a limited view. Even if it were me
alone in my living room, watching a DVD talk
of my teacher’s, or doing walking meditation
to the grocery store, that is enough...it has to
be, if it is the only thing I am doing. If perhaps
the feeling arises, and I want to do more...that
can be a blessing too...it can be my motivation
to practice, and to serve.
“ Returning to a place of
honesty and integrity
within myself is important.
This is my True Self,
my True Home, my True Nature.
Returning to a place of honesty and integrity
within myself is important. This is my True
Self, my True Home, my True Nature -- where
I feel safe, loved, and protected. True Self
can't be lied to, and I can't lie to it. It has a
way of being that is sometimes apart from the
majority. It is not afraid to say, "Listen, what's
good for everyone else may not necessarily be
good for me."
January 2009
“
Imagine if the youth
of the world, devoted their lives
to awakening.
When you hear the voice of True Self, pay
head! There isn't always action involved, it
may be just awareness -- just listening while
you are eating a meal, looking in the mirror
before going on a date, or crossing the street
to go to school. There isn't anything wrong
with the things you are doing -- maybe more
attention needs to be brought to how they are
being done, if your heart remains open,
embracing the preciousness of life. Your life
is precious!
Mindfulness is a miracle -- and is a True way
of living. We all have that rebel in us, that
person that calls us to do things out of the
norm. But the true rebel is our mindfulness.
Mindfulness keeps us living with the whole, it
is inclusive, and opens us to many parts of
ourselves including others and the world
around us. Rebellion for the sake of being a
rebel may not have the kind of effect you
desire. If you are mindful you have listened
deeply to yourself. You have listened to that
call within you to stop, to breathe, to nourish
the Buddha that is in you, and in everyone.
Imagine if all of us who seek peace, who seek
transformation and healing, had the support
we needed to meet our aspirations. We can
offer ourselves that support, right now, in this
very moment. It takes only a few seconds to
wake up! To witness the miracle that is
YOU
Brian Kimmel (27) - Las Vegas 18
TTT Spirit
Dharma
Thanh Thủy’s Apple Juice
T oday three children, two girls and a
little boy, came from the village to play
with Thanh Thủy (a child of boat people
whom I took care of for several months). The
four of them ran off to play on the hillside
behind our house and were gone for about an
hour when they returned to ask something to
drink. I took the last bottle of homemade
apple juice and gave them each a full glass,
serving Thủy last. Since her juice was from the
bottom of the bottle, it had some pulp in it.
When she noticed the particles, she pouted
and refused to drink it. So the four children
went back to their games on the hillside and
Thủy had not drunk anything.
“
Was the apple juice
meditating like you,
Uncle Monk?
Half an hour later, while I was meditating in
my room, I heard her calling. Thủy wanted to
get herself a glass of cold water, but even on
tiptoes she couldn’t reach the faucet. I
reminded her of the glass of juice on the table
and asked her to drink that first. Turning to
look at it, she saw that the pulp had settled and
the juice looked clear and delicious. She went
to the table and took the glass with both
hands. After drinking half of it, she put it
down and asked, “Is this a different glass,
Uncle Monk?”
“No,“ I answered. “It’s the same one as
before. It sat quietly for a bit, and now it’s
clear and delicious.” Thủy looked at the glass
again. “It really is good. Was it meditating
January 2009
like you, Uncle Monk?” I laughed and patted
her head. “Let’s say that I imitate the apple
juice when I sit; that is closer to the truth.”
“
This clarity refreshes us
and gives us
strength and serenity.
Every night Thanh Thủy sees me sit. I told her
that I am “sitting in meditation” without
explaining what it means or why I do it. Every
night when she sees me wash my face, put on
my robes, and light a stick of incense to make
the room fragrant, she knows soon I will begin
“meditating”. She also knows that it is time
for her to brush her teeth, change into
pyjamas, and go quietly to bed. I have never
had to remind her.
Without a doubt, Thủy thought that the apple
juice was sitting for a while to clear itself, just
like her Uncle Monk. “Was it meditating like
you?” I think that Thanh Thủy, not yet four
and a half, understands the meaning of
meditation without any explanation. The apple
juice became clear after resting a while. In the
same way, if we rest in meditation a while, we
too become clear. This clarity refreshes us and
gives us strength and serenity. As we feel
ourselves refreshed, our surrounding also
becomes refreshed. Children like to be near
us, not just to get candy and hear stories. They
like to be near us because they can feel this
“freshness”.
Sư Ông Thích Nhất Hạnh
Excerpt from The Sun, My Heart 19
 TTT Spirit January 2009
Dharma

Calming the Apple Juice

You cannot see clearly…

…Don’t do anything…

…Wait…

Everything …and you can

ends see clearly
as

it
settles

Illustrations by Thầy Pháp Tự - Plum Village 20

TTT Spirit January 2009
Mindfulness Trainings

Stranding in the Sahara Desert, thousands of kilometers away from inhabited places,
the French aviator Saint-Exupéry meets the little prince, who asks him to draw a sheep.

Baobabs

A s each day passed I would learn, in our

talk, something about the little prince's
planet, his departure from it, his journey. The
information would come very slowly, as it
might chance to fall from his thoughts. It was
in this way that I heard, on the third day, about
the catastrophe of the baobabs.
as if he were speaking of something that was
self-evident. And I was obliged to make a
great mental effort to solve this problem,
without any assistance.
Indeed, as I learned, there were on the planet
where the little prince lived - as on all planets

“
Before they grow so big, the
baobabs start out by being little.
This time, once more, I had the sheep to thank
for it. For the little prince asked me abruptly –
as if seized by a grave doubt:
“It is true, isn't it, that sheep eat little bushes?”
“Yes, that is true.”
“Ah! I am glad!”
I did not understand why it was so important
that sheep should eat little bushes. But the
little prince added:
“Then it follows that they also eat baobabs?”
I pointed out to the little prince that baobabs
were not little bushes, but, on the contrary,
trees as big as castles; and that even if he took
a whole herd of elephants away with him, the
herd would not eat up one single baobab. The
idea of the herd of elephants made the little
prince laugh.
- good plants and bad plants. In consequence,
there were good seeds from good plants, and
bad seeds from bad plants. But seeds are
invisible. They sleep deep in the heart of the
earth's darkness, until some one among them
is seized with the desire to awaken. Then this
little seed will stretch itself and begin -timidly
at first - to push a charming little sprig
inoffensively upward toward the sun. If it is
only a sprout of radish or the sprig of a rose-
bush, one would let it grow wherever it might
wish. But when it is a bad plant, one must
destroy it as soon as possible, the very first
instant that one recognizes it.
“ There were good seeds
from good plants, and
bad seeds from bad plants.

“We would have to put them one on top of the

other,” he said.
But he made a wise comment:
“Before they grow so big, the baobabs start
out by being little.”
“That is strictly correct,” I said. “But why do
you want the sheep to eat the little baobabs?”
He answered me at once, “Oh, come, come!”, 21
TTT Spirit
Mindfulness Trainings
Now there were some terrible seeds
on the planet that was the home
of the little prince; and these
were the seeds of the bao-
bab. The soil of that
planet was infested
with them. A baobab
is something you will
never, never be able
to get rid of if you
attend to it too late. It
spreads over the entire
planet. It bores clear
through it with its roots.
And if the planet is too small,
and the baobabs are too many,
they split it in pieces . . .
“It is a question of discipline,” the little prince
said to me later on. “When you've finished
your own toilet in the morning, then it is time
to attend to the toilet of your planet, just so,
with the greatest care. You must see to it that
you pull up regularly all the baobabs, at the
very first moment when they can be
distinguished from the rosebushes which they
resemble so closely in their earliest youth. It is
very tedious work,” the little prince added,
“but very easy.”
“
A baobab is something
you will never, never
be able to get rid of,
if you attend to it too late.
And one day he said to me: “You ought to
make a beautiful drawing, so that the children
where you live can see exactly how all this is.
That would be very useful to them if they
were to travel some day. Sometimes,” he
added, “there is no harm in putting off a piece
of work until another day. But when it is a
January 2009
matter of baobabs, that always
means a catastrophe. I knew
a planet that was inhabited
by a lazy man. He
neglected three
little bushes.”
“
Attend
to the toilet
of your planet
with the
greatest care.
So, as the little prince described
it to me, I have made a drawing of that
planet. I do not much like to take the tone of a
moralist. But the danger of the baobabs is so
little understood, and such considerable risks
would be run by anyone who might get lost on
an asteroid, that for once I am breaking
through my reserve. “Children,” I say plainly,
“watch out for the baobabs!”
My friends, like myself, have been skirting
this danger for a long time, without ever
knowing it; and so it is for them that I have
worked so hard over this drawing. The lesson
which I pass on by this means is worth all the
trouble it has cost me. Perhaps you will ask
me, “Why are there no other drawing in this
book as magnificent and impressive as this
drawing of the baobabs?” The reply is simple.
I have tried. But with the others I have not
been successful. When I made the drawing of
the baobabs I was carried beyond myself by
the inspiring force of urgent necessity.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Excerpt from The Little Prince 22
 TTT Spirit
Mindfulness Trainings
Buddha’s Traffic Signs
In our daily life, to avoid traffic accident, we have to learn
hundreds and hundreds of traffic signs:
We have learnt that:

At red lights, we have to stop and we can only move ahead
when the lights change from red to green.

Some traffic signs, like the red triangles, mean potential
dangers. By encountering them, we have to slow down and to
become more vigilant.

Sometimes, when there are risks of death, some signs forbid us
to do something, like not to drive in (one way), not to make U-
turn or even not to stop.
In general, everyone accepts these rules without complaining. We
know that if do not respect these rules, the traffic will not flow
well and in the worst case, we can be involved in a fatal accident.
In a similar way, to avoid life accidents, the Buddha proposed to
us 5 traffic signs (only 5 !), that he called “the 5 Mindfulness
Trainings”.
This is what I would like to share with you today.
January 2009
The 1st Mindfulness Training
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow
to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of
people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to
kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing
in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
Living beings crossing ahead !
My personal understanding
We all have relatives or friends that we love and with whom we
would like to live always together. Every time that our
cherished ones die for any reason (accident, illness, old age,
etc…), we suffer a lot, because we simply miss them.
Knowing that human being is just an evolved animal among
others, we realize that animals would also suffer like us, if their
relatives or friends had to die.
Through our empathy and compassion for others, the Buddha
taught us not to kill and not to let others kill.
Daily concern
In our daily life, we rarely kill (I hope so ;). But, we are used to
letting others kill for us: by eating meats, fish and seafood, by
wearing fur coat, silk shirt and leather shoes, or by using some
cosmetic products...
Despite the fact that we are aware of all the related sufferings,
it’s however really not easy to stop letting others kill for us.
Particularly for those who are still eating meats, fishes or
seafood, we know how difficult it is to become vegetarian.
 Practical tips
The Buddha, who had a deep understanding of human being’s
nature, knew how difficult it is for us to change our habits.
Instead of blaming on us, he encouraged each of us to define
our own objectives of improvement and to achieve them day
after day at our own rhythm. That’s why these 5
recommendations are called the “5 Mindfulness Trainings”.
Returning to the case of being a vegetarian, we could fix as
objectives for improvement: “to be vegetarian one day per
week” or “to be vegetarian at home”.... Then, day after day,
when we feel ready, we can increase, at our rhythm, the
frequency.
Let’s try to do it now !
What is your objective of improvement for this week ?
23
 TTT Spirit
Mindfulness Trainings
The 2nd Mindfulness Training
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice,
stealing and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and
learn ways to work for the well being of people, animals, plants
and minerals. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time,
energy and material resources with those who are in real need. I
am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that
should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but
I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the
suffering of other species on Earth.
Authorized persons only !
My personal understanding:
For those who are reading these lines, this 2nd training is really
not a big deal. Indeed, who from us is a pickpocket ?
None of us of course (I hope so ;). However, it doesn’t mean that
we don’t steal anything at all. Indeed, who from us has ever:

Downloaded music from the internet ?

Watched copied movies on DVD ?

Wore clothes manufactured from a sweatshop ?

Eaten an exotic fruit ?

Forgotten to switch off the lights when leaving room ?

etc... etc...
As you can see, stealing can appear under various forms, and all
of them cause directly or indirectly suffering to others:

By downloading music from the internet or by watching copied
movies on DVD, we indirectly steal jobs from people working in
these industries.

By wearing sweatshop’s clothes, we indirectly contribute to the
exploitation of children and youth work force.

By eating exotic fruit or by forgetting to switch off the lights
when leaving room, we increase our overall consumption of
energy and contribute to the general pollution of our planet. By
doing that, we steal the natural resources and the fresh air from
our future generations.
 Practical tips

Challenge the above examples to see if they make sense

Assess your daily life with the examples above

Visit some interesting websites as:
www.wearewhatwedo.org
www.wwf.org

Find out other examples and share them with us !
January 2009
The 3rd Mindfulness Training
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to
cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and
integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am
determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a
long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and
others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the
commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to
protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and
families from being broken by sexual misconduct.
No entry !
My personal understanding:
As the Buddha had to condense hundreds trainings into 5, that’s
why all of them are important. However, for me, this 3rd one has
its particular importance, because the consequences of its non-
respect are catastrophic. Usually, when we don’t practice one
training, we suffer a short moment, then we engage to do better
for the next time and everything would be ok. However, if we
don’t practice this 3rd training, we could be seriously injured and
at the same time, we could wound several generations: I know a
father who had once an extra-marital child. He feels so guilty that
he would like to include this child into his family. But, the
presence of this child causes so much sufferings to the mother
that brothers and sisters separate into 2 camps. As you can see,
the non-respect of this 3rd training could negatively impact over 2
generations...
 Practical tips for non-long term engaged people
When you are in a relationship, your partner may push you to
have a sexual relationship. Your partner may argue that if you
really love them, then this is the perfect proof. But is it really the
perfect proof? And why is the burden to prove it on you and not
them?
In my opinion, this is an excellent opportunity for you to know if
your partner is the right person for you. Indeed, if your partner
can’t wait for 1, 2 or 3 years (before a long term engagement),
how can they be sufficiently patient with you for the rest of your
life ? Is 1, 2 or 3 years really too long a time to wait compared to
the 60 remaining ones? If your partner is able to pass this test,
you will know that this person is the right person to spend the rest
of your life with.
 Practical tips for long term engaged people
Never underestimate this 3rd training. I know people who still be
injured at more than 60 years old.
 Practical tips for both groups
If you didn’t previously practice the 3rd training and were lucky
enough not to be injured. Practice it now ! It’s not too late !
24
 TTT Spirit
Mindfulness Trainings
The 4th Mindfulness Training
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the
inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and
deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and
relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create
happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with
words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am
determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain
and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I
will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or
discord, or that can cause the family or community to break. I
will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts,
however small.
Potential dangers ahead – Slow down !
My personal understanding:
We know that our speech is like a double-edged knife. It can be
a source of joy, when it is positive and encouraging, but it can
be also a source of suffering, when it is negative and wounding.
We also know that the biggest challenge in communication is to
ensure the quality of the message. Indeed, it’s very common
that the received message could be perceived differently from
the sent one. Sometimes, a positive message could be received
negatively, just because the receiver didn’t feel good or he/she
was not ready to receive it.
Knowing that we can control only at maximum 50% of the
quality of our message, the Buddha recommended to us to slow
down (if necessary to stop) to allow us sufficiently time to
observe ourselves and to observe others before sending any
message.
 Practical tips
Before sending a message (saying something), answer first to
yourself to the following questions:
• How do I (the transmitter) feel today ?
• How does my receiver look like today ?
If none of the answers is good or positive, then stop sending or
saying anything today. If both are good or positive, then answer
to yourself to the following question:
• Is my message positive or encouraging ?
If the answer is no, then stop sending or saying anything
today. In contrary, if the answer is yes, then send or say it
immediately. Your message will be certainly well received
and perceived.
January 2009
The 5th Mindfulness Training
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow
to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my
family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and
consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-
being and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the
collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am
determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest
foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV
programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am
aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these
poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and
future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger
and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for
myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial
for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.
Slippery quayside !
My personal understanding:
We live in a society of consumption which push us to consume
everything and as much as possible. The marketing professionals
know exactly how to incite us to consume. They submerge us
with advertising that excite our 6 senses (eyes, ears, nose, mouth,
body and mind) by using all existing means like television, radio,
books, newspapers, magazines, movies, party, concert, internet,
blogs, buzz, fragrances, flavours, etc...
The worst thing that happens when we are immersed in this
environment, is that we forget that some of these products can be
harmful to our body and our mind, like alcohol, drugs, but also
sad movies, violent video games, gossip magazines, unproductive
conversations, etc…
I really like this traffic sign, because it describes exactly the risk
related to the lack of training. When I discuss this 5th training
with other people, I often hear that I am being too extremist,
because one glass of wine, one occasional cigarette, a short sad
movie and some minutes with a violent video game cannot be
harmful. I disagree with this point of view, because maybe they
seem harmless for a short period of time, but they can actually
gradually intoxicate our body and mind. It is like a car that slips
on a quayside, it doesn’t fall immediately down, it slides at first,
then it falls, but once it has fallen, it would be very difficult to
pull it back onto the quay.
 Practical tips
Write down on a paper the top 10 products that could be harmful
for your body and mind and share it with us !
25
TTT Spirit January 2009
Mindfulness Trainings

Dear friends,

I have just shared with you the 5 traffic signs that Buddha had transmitted to us. I have shared them with you
because I think they can be useful in our daily life. Just take a look around you and see how ma ny people are
suffering just because they neglect these 5 recommendations.

I have also shared with you my personal understanding that you may or may not agree with. Let’s discuss!

I would really appreciate to receive your comments, feedback and also your personal experiences to help me
widen my understanding. Please feel free to send them to me!

Before closing this sharing, I would like to summarize here below the 5 Buddha’s traffic signs and....

... to invite you to take part to the following riddle game: “What is the meaning of each traffic sign below ?”

Clue n°1: They are all related to the practice of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings!

(Turn on your lights)

If you have the answer, please send it to the following email address: TTTproject@gmail.com

The best answer will be published in the next TTT Spirit Newsletter and the winner will receive a book
on the 5 Mindfulness Trainings. Good luck and enjoy!

Sâm Bùi (36) - Geneva

26
TTT Spirit January 2009
Mindfulness Trainings

To Kill or not to Kill

A Buddhist-Environmentalist Perspective
on Vegetarianism

I ntroduction
All living creatures –with the exception
of primary producers like plants which take
their energy from the sun and their materials
from the soil—rely on the death of other
creatures. Small herbivores eat plants and are
hunted by small carnivores, which are
themselves preyed upon by the larger
carnivores crowning the food pyramid. These
top predators are then “recycled” after their
death by scavengers and decomposers. In this
endless flow of resources and energy, life and
death are inextricably intertwined. The Buddha teaching compassion for animals to his
disciples. According to the Buddhist teachings, animals
Siddhartha, who would later in his life become as well as humans possess the Buddha nature, or nature
the Buddha, understood this reality more than of awakening.
2500 years ago. Sitting under a tree, he saw a
bird digging up a worm from the soil and
tearing it apart with its sharp beak. However,
another predator suddenly appeared and
captured the bird to eat it. Shocked by the
brutality of this scene, Siddhartha pondered:
“Do all living beings kill each other?”
H ealth Impact of Meat-Eating
Although killing is a part of life, not
all kinds of killing are necessary. The bird
needs to kill the worm in order to sustain
There is no way to live without taking life. itself, and the bird’s predator needs to capture
Boiling water eliminates millions of bacteria. the bird to survive. But the survival of humans
We grow vegetables in gardens and fields only does not require the slaughter of livestock
to have them lying dead on our plates. Each animals like cows or chickens. Indeed,
step we take is a life threat to the various ants, vegetarian diets can provide for all basic
worms, and caterpillars creeping or crawling nutritional needs. Contrary to a commonly
across our path. So what is the problem with held belief, for example, vegetarians do not
killing cows and chickens for food? Does it systematically lack iron or proteins in their
make any sense to be vegetarian? 27
TTT Spirit January 2009
Mindfulness Trainings

diets. Iron can be found in beans and dark green

vegetables like broccoli, while tofu, soybeans
and wheat gluten are examples of protein-
rich vegetarian foods. In fact, a vegetarian diet
M eat-eating and World Hunger
Since large amounts of grains are
needed to feed livestock, much of the world’s
grain production is directed to industrial farms.
low in fat and cholesterol can help avoid health
This is a fundamentally inefficient system,
conditions common among meat-eaters like
because much of the energy and nutrients
obesity and high blood pressure, while actively
contained in grains is lost as the livestock feed.
favoring health due (among other things) to the
In addition, the bulk of global meat production
various anti-oxidants present in many fruits and
is destined to high-income countries like the
vegetables. In countries where vegetarian food
U.S., Canada, and European countries. At the
is abundant and easily accessible, meat-eating
same time, it is estimated that one in every six
is not only unnecessary, it is potentially
people on earth goes hungry each day. In other
harmful to humans.
words, although it is possible to alleviate world
hunger, our greed for meat prevents us from
achieving this goal.

M eat-eating and Animal Rights

Eating meat is also obviously
harmful, and often extremely cruel, to animals.
In a recent letter to the CEO and president of
Yum! Brands, Inc. of which the chain of fast-
food restaurants “KFC” is part, Zen teacher
M eat-eating and the Environment
Clearly, eating meat is neither
beneficial to humans –pleasant taste for the
privileged aside—nor to cows, chickens, or
Thích Nhất Hạnh (Thầy) wrote:
other animals that are sent by the thousands in
crowded trucks to factory-like slaughterhouses.
“I have heard reports that KFC’s suppliers cut
But livestock production and consumption also
the throats of conscious chickens, that many
seriously affect our environment. At the local
birds are still conscious when they are sent
scale, for example, industrial animal farming
through scalding water, and that KFC refuses to
pollutes rivers, ponds, lakes, and coastal waters.
persuade its suppliers to use methods that are
Manure contains large amounts of nutrients,
more humane both for the chickens and for the
which favor abnormal population growth of
humans who handle them”
pests like green algae, leading to reduced
availability of oxygen for other species in
In most so-called developed countries like the
streams or still-water environments. This
U.S., where the average citizen consumes
phenomenon called eutrophication is a serious
227lbs of meat each year, high demand has led
threat to the well-being of local ecosystems. At
to an increasingly dehumanized production
the global scale, livestock production
network, in which living beings are
accelerates global warming. During digestion,
manipulated as raw material destined to be
farm animals like cows emit large amounts of
wrapped in cellophane, stored in our freezers,
and dropped onto our plates. powerful greenhouse gases, like
nitrogendioxide (NO2), methane (CH4) and

28
TTT Spirit January 2009
Mindfulness Trainings

carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This

process, termed enteric fermentation, is the single
most important cause of climate change, even
before fossil-fuel-powered transportation.

C onclusion
To abstain from eating meat is to refuse to
participate in a profit-driven market that uselessly
destroys the lives of millions of animals daily,
threatens human health in a significant way,
monopolizes precious grains in a hungry world,
and puts the fragile balance of ecosystems and the
atmosphere in jeopardy. It is urgent that we look
further than our own plates and consider the
implications of food consumption for all forms of
life. As the first Contemplation says[i], every
morsel of food “is the gift of the whole universe.”
Let us enjoy this gift wisely!

Eric Bolo (19), McGill University, Environmental

Sciences - Montréal

[1] The “five contemplations” are observed before each

meal in many Zen monasteries across Asia. They are recited
to foster mindful, grateful, and responsible eating. Zen
teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh’s version is available at:
http://www.capesangha.org/contemplations.html

INTERESTING RESOURCES
• World Watch Institute (WWI) article on global meat
consumption:
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1626
• Thầy’s letter to KFC:
•http://www.plumvillage.org/HTML/news/Thay%20letter.
JPG
• Nutritional tips for vegetarians:
http://www.essortment.com/family/healthtipsvege_snsk.htm
• A little more on meat consumption and climate change
(go veggie, go green!):
http://www.goveg.com/environment.asp
• On eutrophication caused by industrial animal farming:
http://www.grida.no/boing/drivingforces/index.cfm?page=i_
livestock.htm 29
TTT Spirit
Personal Experience
Inter
Sư Cô T N
What is it that made you want to become a
nun? After spending a week in Plum Village, I
wanted to ordain right away because I felt that
everything we were doing was a lot truer than
outside. We could take our time to do the things
we like to do, or even not do anything. We
could give meaning to everything we said, we
did; truly be together, truly meeting people.
That is what I liked; to truly do everything,
even if it is a small thing to be completely there
while doing it. It gave a lot of meaning to
things. Before, I never knew what job to do; I
didn’t want to do something I would forget
about everything once at home, to just go work
to get a salary at the end of the month. That
wasn’t something that was pushing me out of
bed in the morning! But, as a nun, even though
we don’t have a job, all we do, we do
wholeheartedly. So that makes you want to
get up in the morning? Yes, that makes me
want to live!
What does your monastic life bring you?
Well, basically I am more happy! I don’t live
wondering what I am going to do later. Before
everything I was doing was to prepare a good
future. I was going to school to have good
grades, I was studying to do this or that job, I
was working to get some money so that I could
do this or that in the future. I always had the
future in mind; so what I was doing was not
necessary what I really wanted to do. Now,
everything I do, I do it because I like to, I live
the life I really want to live, without having to
sacrifice myself for later.
January 2009
View
Nghiêm
As you say, there are a lot of good things
about monastic life; but there are also
things that aren’t so easy, like having to
renounce to material possessions, to being a
mother, having a family…. For material
things, I am very happy like this; I don’t need
to worry about getting fashionable clothes (I
always hated shopping anyways!). For now,
not having children is not a problem, but I
might miss it sometimes in the future. I have
the feeling that I can be more happy as a nun
than as a lay person. And if I am not happy, I
don’t think I can be in a relationship or have a
family. So I rather be a nun and live the life I
want to live, if not it is too bad!
How is community life? In Plum Village
there is a lot of different cultures, ages,
personalities; and in the west we are more
use to having our apartment, to be
individualistic…Community life is
different. It is true. There are times when I’ d
like to be a catholic nun and to have my own
little cell, not having to share my room. But
when I think like that, I have to look at why I
have this need; and sometimes it is simply that
I am not feeling so well and that I want to
redraw; but I am not sure this is the aim of the
cells in Christian monastery! So, it helps me
to be closer to what is wrong inside and not to
hide myself. But in general I really love
community life and it is one of the reason why
I became a nun. When I was a student, the
first year, I wanted to have my own apartment
30
TTT Spirit
Personal Experience
to be able to listen to music as loud as I wished
etc.. but actually, I wasn’t happy at all! So the
next year I moved in with other people and I
had a great time. I told myself I didn’t want to
live as a couple with children but that I wanted
to live with other young people the whole of
my life. That’s a bit what I am doing now! At
that time there were also times when it wasn’t
easy because we didn’t have the same way of
looking at things, of living, the same values…
In the monastery we all have the same rules and
more or less the same direction so it makes it a
lot easier to live together.
What do you feel is the most important or
the most useful thing for young people in our
society today? There are a lot of useful things
to do!! But one I find very useful is to take our
time, take the time to do what we want to do, to
stop, to simply listen to our breathing.
Sometimes when I work in the office and I am
exited or caught in a conversation or a project
and if I remember to come back to my
breathing or if I see a very calm sister it helps
me to come back to the here. It is hard to
explain. Sometimes I feel that the life people
have outside is not real and that here, we live
more, we really live and we don’t need to have
wonderful project or to do things to prove we
are able to do them. But to simply walk, sit or
even to wait in line in the dining hall, if we can
do that in silence and be truly present, then it
can become a great moment! That is what I
missed when I was a lay person. I always had to
do things, to do, to do, to do to prove to myself
that I was doing something with my life. And
the opposite was happening; I was losing the
meaning of what I was doing and was doing it
only for the future or for other people. Now I
am more able to live and to benefit from the
present moment.
Would you like to share something else? Yes.
We really have to do the things we like without
thinking that it is not paying, profitable. I
January 2009
was always thinking like that in the past;
everything I was doing had to be profitable for
the future, for money, for my career, or to look
good in front of my friends. It had to serve
those kinds of purposes. Being here, it is easier
for me to do what I like to do, to live how I
want to live, to live what I was dreaming about
before, without having to limit myself.
Well, this is in theory; in practice, I still have
my ways of thinking!
What really helped me and continue to help me,
is to pay attention to my emotions and ideas; to
know that they are only emotions and ideas and
not to identify myself with them, not to become
a victim but to see in a broader way. For
instance, if I am sad, angry or desperate, to see
that it is only a transient state I already went
through, only an emotion and that I am much
more than that. The tools we have here, like to
breathe, to stop thinking for a while helps me.
At the beginning I didn’t really believe in it and
kind of didn’t want to do that, to stop thinking,
it was as if I had to become stupid! I wanted to
keep on thinking to try to understand where this
emotions was coming from, how I could
transform it… so that stopping my thoughts and
coming back to the breath was almost
dangerous. I didn’t see the importance of it.
But I remember one day, I told myself “Ok, I
am going to stop thinking just for today. I am
going to follow my breathing, to walk in
mindfulness and tomorrow I will go on thinking
about this problem.” By the end of the day, I
had totally forgotten about my problem and I
was very happy! I remembered my state of
mind in the morning, sad, depressed, and by the
evening; I was cheerful and present to people
around me. Then I believed in the practice, in
what Thầy teaches us. Now, it helps me a lot
and every time I have an emotion come up, I
remember this and so I can do it more easily.
Sư Cô Tôn Nghiêm – Plum Village 31
TTT Spirit January 2009
Personal Experience

Về Giữa Gió Xuân

Một khóa tu hiện ñại cho người trẻ

T rước ñây, một khóa tu trong suy

nghĩ của mình là nơi của các ông
già, bà lão về hưu, rảnh rỗi, muốn ñi
tìm sự thanh tịnh, vào ñấy ñể ñọc kinh niệm
Phật, ngồi thiền... Nhưng sau khi ñi dự khóa tu
ở Tu Viện Bát Nhã về, mình ñã có một góc
nhìn khác về khóa tu, nhất là khóa tu cho người
trẻ. ðó là nơi có sự hòa hợp của ñạo Phật,
hướng về tổ tiên, cội nguồn và sự trẻ trung, sôi
nổi của bạn trẻ. Thời khóa tu của "Về giữa gió
xuân" có rất nhiều hoạt ñộng trẻ trung, sôi nổi
như thế! Bài viết này ñiểm sơ một số hoạt ñộng
sôi ñộng trong khóa tu nhằm chia sẽ thêm một
góc nhìn khác về khóa tu cho bạn bè.
gói bánh tét như thách thức tất cả các ñội

“
Bát Nhã là nơi có
sự hòa hợp, hướng về tổ tiên,
cội nguồn và sự trẻ trung.
ðầu tiên là cuộc thi "Gói bánh chưng, bánh
Tét" giữa các gia ñình Pháp ðàm. Nói ra thì
xấu hổ, chứ ñối với JK, gói bánh chưng là chỉ
có trong từ ñiển chứ chưa ñộng tay vào bao giờ.
Giờ thì nhìn các sư thầy sư cô thoăn thoắt gói
ñủ kiểu thật là vui. Nào là bánh Tét mẹ bồng
con (một bánh to gói chung với một bánh nhỏ),
bánh chưng gói-nhanh-nhất-và-xấu-nhất, rồi lễ
"rước bánh tét" trên một cái ñòn gánh... Những
bạn còn lại thì hò hét, la lối om sòm, chỉ này,
chỏ nọ. Một không khí náo nhiệt chưa từng
thấy trong tu viện. Cũng không vừa, ban giám
khảo cũng chia nhau
tham gia. Nhìn các sư thầy, sư cô khéo léo gói
bánh tét mà thêm ngưỡng mộ những người áo
nâu. Không khí náo nhiệt cứ thế lan truyền mãi
cho ñến khi những ñòn bánh tét lần lượt ñược
nộp cho ban giám khảo. Các thầy cô tuy không
quá hò hét nhưng cũng rất hòa ñồng, cười nói
vui vẻ với gia ñình Pháp ñàm của mình. Nói
người tu không có tính ganh ñua cũng không
ñúng, nhưng không ganh ñua cũng không ñúng,
nói chung là “sắc sắc, không không”.
Sau màn gói bánh chưng, toàn thể thiền sinh
ñược thưởng thức màn cồng chiêng ñộc ñáo của
ñoàn nghệ thuật người Mạ. Mỗi anh vác một
cái cồng hoặc chiêng, ñi thành một ñoàn. Mỗi
người chỉ phụ trách ñúng một nốt trong ñiệu
nhạc, nhưng khi nghe, bạn mới thấy sự phối
hợp nhịp nhàng, có vần ñiệu, mới thấy nhạc
cồng chiêng có nhiều màu sắc lắm, vui
32
TTT Spirit
Personal Experience
tươi lắm. Khi âm hưởng núi rừng của ñiệu cồng
chiêng vừa tạm ngưng, không khí lại náo nhiệt
với trò chơi nhảy sạp. Nếu chứng kiến một
phần thời khóa tu này, bạn ñừng ngạc nhiên là
tại sao sư thầy, sư cô còn ham chơi thế. Người
trẻ có nhiều năng lượng hơn. Và rất nhiều sư
thầy, sư cô cũng là những người trẻ! Những trò
chơi dân gian có ñịnh hướng cho người trẻ tìm
về với nét văn hóa ngày xưa của tổ tiên. Cho
nên, các hoạt ñộng này rất có tính giáo dục, phù
hợp với bạn trẻ và vẫn ñảm bảo tinh thần “sống
trong hiện tại”. Cứ lâu lâu, chiếc chuông lớn lại
ñược thỉnh lên, toàn bộ ñại chúng lại ngồi yên,
hít thở, chỉ có tiếng thông reo xào xạt, mát rượi.
“ Các hoạt ñộng này rất có
tính giáo dục, phù hợp với bạn trẻ
và vẫn ñảm bảo tinh thần
“sống trong hiện tại”.
ðêm ñến, Bát Nhã rộn ràng với chương trình
“Bát Nhã by night”. Sân khấu ñược thiết kế
ngay trong thiền ñường, ñầy ñủ cả âm thanh,
ánh sáng, mic không dây, cả màn chiếu truyền
hình trực tiếp ñể khán giả dễ theo dõi. Bát Nhã
giờ hiện ñại thật, thường xuyên cập nhật thiết
bị, công nghệ ñể theo kịp thời ñại. Các tiết mục
văn nghệ chỉ có chừng 2-3 tiếng ñể chuẩn bị mà
ai cũng nhiệt tình, náo nức tham gia, từ các em
January 2009
mầm non U15 ñến các bác “mầm non nghĩa
ñịa”. Ở BN, Pháo tay ñược thay bằng “pháo
hoa” (hai bàn tay xòe như 2 ñóa hoa, xoay liên
tục ñể cổ vũ). Những tràng pháo hoa cứ thế rộ
lên sau mỗi tiết mục văn nghệ của các gia ñình
Pháp ñàm. Và các tiết mục cứ thế nối nhau,
cho người tham gia một cảm giác vui vẻ, hòa
ñồng và nhiều ý nghĩa giáo dục. Vui một cái
là cứ sau mỗi tiết mục, ñại chúng lại quay lại
với hiện tại sau khi tiếng chuông ñược thỉnh
lên, trả sự yên lặng lại cho thiền ñường.
Những thời khóa sôi nổi như thế là dành riêng
cho người trẻ. Tu sỹ và cư sỹ cùng tham gia
vào các hoạt ñộng một cách nhiệt tình, hết
mình, ñể thấy trong sự sôi ñộng mà lòng vẫn
tĩnh, vẫn có chánh niệm. ðó là cái khó, nhưng
cũng là cái ñáng ñể rèn luyện! Khóa tu “Về
giữa gió xuân” sẽ là dịp cho rất nhiều người
trẻ thay ñổi cái nhìn về một khóa tu, ñể có cơ
hội tìm hiểu về ñạo Bụt, hay chỉ ñơn giản là
một phương pháp ñể lấy lại cân bằng cho cuộc
sống, và thấy cuộc ñời có nhiều ý nghĩa hơn.
Mỗi người sẽ tự rút ra cho mình một bài học,
một con ñường ñể ñi, nhưng phương pháp sẽ
là người thầy lớn nhất cho bạn nương tựa vào.
Vậy nhé, lên BN chơi nhé!
Duy Khiêm Trần (26) – Hồ Chí Minh City
33
 TTT Spirit January 2009
Personal Experience

Vom Kräuter sammeln

Warme Glockenklänge laden den Morgen zum Fest des Lebens ein
Aus der Ferne ertönt der Sutra-Gesang
Die pure Stimme der Montagnardkinder
Süßer Rohrzucker
Frisches Quellwasser
Aufsteigende Welle
Die Kinder verlassen die Meditationshalle
Lasst uns mit den morgendlichen Aufgaben beginnen!
Staub auf dem Buddhaaltar entfernen
Ich öffne meine Augen und lächle Die Tassen mit frischem Tee füllen
Die Tür öffnend, atme ich die frische Morgenluft ein Räucherstäbchen anzünden
Das Kloster schwebt auf dem ruhigen Nebelmeer Tische säubern
Wie süß der duftende Morgentau schmeckt! Abfall aufsammeln
Die Wolken sind erwacht Den Boden kehren
Ein Kunstwerk enthüllt sich vor mir Ihre kleinen Hände sind zarte Lotusblüten
Um den Beginn des neuen Tages zu feiern, Jede Bewegung bringt einen wundervollen Duft hervor
manifestieren sich Farbflächen am Himmel Der Duft der Achtsamkeit
Strahlendes Orange auf tiefdunklem Blau Der Duft des Seins
Überwältigende Stille Der Duft der Freude
Überwältigende Schönheit
Überwältigenden Frieden

Der Duft von frisch gekochtem Reis steigt auf

und ruft die Kinder zum Frühstück
Reis mit Kürbisblumen gibt es heute
Die Farbe des Mondes verbindet sich mit der Farbe der Sonne
zu einer harmonischen Komposition
Alle Schalen sind nun gefüllt
Gefüllt mit Dankbarkeit,
erblüht eine Blume
in unserem Geist
in unseren Händen
Gemeinsam mit dem ganzen Kosmos
genießen wir das Mahl in Stille

Es ist Zeit, um sich auf den Weg zur Schule zu machen

„Singt ein Lied vor, bevor ihr geht“, bittet Thầy*
Die Kinder kichern verlegen
Tausend Sprößlinge sprießen aus der Erde empor
„Xin nguyện làm dòng sôôông, không làm hạt nước nhỏỏỏ...“**
Blätter wachsen
Blumen erblühen
Ich lächle
Lächle
Lächle

* Thầy = Abt des Klosters, in dem die Monatgnardkinder leben

** „Ich gelobe zu einem Fluuuß zu werden und nicht ein kleeeiner Wassertropfen zu bleiben...“ 34
 TTT Spirit January 2009
Personal Experience

M it hüpfenden Schritten tanzen die Montagnardkinder auf der braunroten Erde

und weisen uns den Weg zum Wasserfall
Muttererde nährt unsere Füße mit ihrer Festigkeit
Wir gehen an kleine, einfache Hütten vorbei
Wessen Hände haben diese Bananenblätter so kunstvoll zusammengewoben?
Grüne Teehügeln schreiben Kalligraphien voller Poesie in die Landschaft
Hat der Künstler, der diesen Pinsel in seiner Hand hielt, dabei nicht einen lebhaften Tanz vollführt?
Der Himmel ist so klar
Ich blicke in die friedlichen, blauen Augen dieses Kindes
Ist es möglich in diese Augen zu blicken ohne von ganzem Herzen zu lächeln?
Ein sanfter Wind streichelt meinen Kopf
Wie frisch die Luft ist!
„Alles wird gut“, flüstern die Grillen uns zirpend zu
Wir sind angekommen
Am Tor zum Dschungel
winken Bambusblätter uns fröhlich zu

W ährend ich die Brücke überquere,

höre ich den Bach seine ewige Sonate spielen
Ich bleibe stehen und lausche
Hörst du das klare Lachen tausender Stern erklingen?
Die Waldmusik fließt durch meinen Geist und Körper,
lässt den Frühling in mir erwachen
Beim Einatmen füllt ein himmlisch süßer Duft meine Lungen
Oh, wie viel Freude eine Blume dem Leben doch mit ihrem bloßen Sein darbieten kann!
Am anderen Ufer angelangt
begrüsst mich eine violette Wildblume mit einem strahlenden Lächeln
„Heute ist ein Festtag!“, verkündet sie
Ich lächle zurück und singe: „Ja!“

Lasst uns auf Bäume klettern und den Himmel berühren!

Siehst du diese Pflanze dort?
Sie hat schöne rote Wurzeln
Er gräbt sie aus
Betrachtet sie
Das Lächeln eines Menschen, der einen wertvollen Schatz entdeckt hat,
erblüht auf seinen Lippen
Siehe, dort am Wegesrand wächst ein Pilz!
Er pflückt ihn
Lichtstrahlen berühren den Pilz,
verwandeln ihn in einen Juwel
Meine Bewunderung sehend,
gibt er mir diesen seltenen Pilz
Ohne zu Zögern
Geben
Besitzen
Siehe, dort sind köstliche Kräuter!
Er sammelt die Kräuter
legt sie sorgfältig aufeinander
rollt sie in ein großes Blatt ein
bindet sie mit einem langen Grashalm an seinen Bauch
„Nun haben wir genug Zutaten für ‘s Mittagessen!“, sagt er lächelnd
Einfach 35
Überwältigend
 TTT Spirit January 2009
Personal Experience
Gegenwärtiger Moment, wundervoller Moment!
Die Kinder springen von einem Felsen zum anderen
Fächerartige Blätter halten sie als Schirme in ihren Händen
Immer mehr Wasserperlen schmücken ihre Schirme
Ein Kind bleibt stehen und stützt beide Hände auf seinen Kopf
Er betrachtet den Wasserfall
Der Wasserfall betrachtet ihn
Sind er und der Wasserfall noch zwei verschiedene Realitäten?
Gab es für ihn jemals etwas Wichtigeres zu tun?
Ziellosigkeit
Freiheit
Wahrheit
Kunst

„ Lebe tief im gegenwärtigen Moment,

und du wirst sehen
Der Wasserfall
ist der Buddha
ist das Dharma
ist deine Sangha “,
sagt der Mönch zu mir
Ich lächle
Das Rauschen des Wasserfalls
Das Rauschen des Wasserfalls
Der mächtige Ruf, den wir schon immer kannten
All meine Wünsche sind bereits erfüllt
Das Leben!

„ Danke, dass ihr uns zum Wasserfall geführt habt. Auf dem Rückweg begegnen wir den Kindern
Sie wollten noch nicht gehen
Wir werden den Weg zurück finden.
Auf einem hohen Baum sitzen sie
Geht jetzt zur Schule, ihr verspätet euch.“
Sie warten auf uns
Sie lächeln und gehen
Um uns den Weg nach Hause zu zeigen
Was bedeutet es sich zu verspäten?
Ich sitze auf einem Felsen Was ist die wichtigste Aufgabe in diesem Moment?
Einfach nur sitzen Bedingungslose Liebe
Atmen
Sein
Warme Sonnenstrahlen umarmen mich
Nichts besitzen!
Alles besitzen!
Warum müssen wir etwas erreichen, um jemand zu werden?
Was bedeutet es zivilisiert zu sein?
Warum?
Was bedeutet es nicht zivilisiert zu sein?
„Komm‘, lasst uns zurückkehren.
Geht es letztendlich nicht einfach darum zu wissen,
Es ist Zeit fürs Mittagessen, Thầy wartet schon.“
wie man Kräuter sammelt?
Ich suche nach einem scharfen Stein
und graviere Worte in den Felsen ein, auf dem ich saß
Kennst du diese Worte?
Thùy-Hân Nguyễn-Chí (20) - Antwerp
Ich nehme den Stein mit

Diese Gedanken schrieb ich nieder, nachdem ich einen Tag mit einem Mönch, seinem Freund und den Montagnardkindern, die zu
einer ethnischen Minderheit gehoeren, im Dschungel des zentralen Hochgebirges Vietnams (Bảo Lộc) verbracht habe. Ihr natürlicher
Charakter, ihre einfache Lebensweise und enge Verbundenheit zur Natur haben mich zutiefst berührt. Montagnards werden oftmals
verachtet und ihre Lebensweise als primitiv bezeichnet. Aber was bedeutet denn primitiv, was bedeutet denn zivilisiert sein?
Ich bin diesen Kindern zutiefst dankbar dafür, dass sie mir den Weg zu diesem Wasserfall gezeigt und mir diese immergrünen
Kräuter geschenkt haben. 36
TTT Spirit January 2009
Culture

The Birth of The Buddha

A six tusked elephant

A blossom in the womb
Shades of the Sala tree
A baby was born

The queen was overjoyed

The heavens rejoiced
The king was so happy
That a prince was born

As the years passed

The flowers blossomed
And as the child grew
His heart became large

With sickness and old age

With birth and death
The world of suffering
Was a shock to the prince

His heart was in pain

He had to find a way
To relieve this suffering
To bring great happiness

So he abandoned the riches

And cut his hair short
Said goodbye to loved ones
So he can help all beings

For years he tried hard

Happiness comes home For years he struggled
Things that did not bear fruits
Happiness was not born
37
TTT Spirit January 2009
Culture

Then one clear morning

Sitting beneath a great tree
With mighty roots and shady leaves
He realized great awakening

Things became so clear

Everyone is so wonderful
We are all so beautiful
Yet we can not see this

So the Buddha came to be

He became our teacher
Teaching us the way of love But today is today
Teaching us the way of understanding And the Buddha is still alive
It is really up to us
Many seasons then passed To help him be born
Many people found happiness
A great family was born Each time we step with peace
All brothers and sisters Each time we smile with joy
Each time we offer kind words
Then one fine day Each time we are mindful of breathing
Beneath the cool shades
Of the great Sala tree That is where the Buddha is being born
The Buddha passed away That is where the Buddha is living
That is where he has not died
Into Nirvana some say That is where he is still alive
Into great extinction
Into great emptiness This is where his great heart lives
Into the thusness of things Within our own hearts
This is his great way
Within our own lives

So now can you see

The Buddha is being born
He is being born within you
And here on this day He is being born within me
We celebrate the Buddha's Birthday
His wonderful life
His wonderful teaching
Written by Luận ðinh (31) - London
for Vesakh day (“Buddhamas”)

Illustrated by Thầy Pháp Tự 38

TTT Spirit January 2009
Culture

Calligraphy by Thầy Chỉnh ðừc - Plum Village 39

TTT Spirit January 2009
Culture

T iếng chim líu lo

Tiếng chim líu lo
ðắn ño làm gì
Dừng lai vui chơi
Tiếng chim líu lo
Niềm vui chan chứa
ðong ñầy yêu thương
Chào ñón nụ cười Bừng tỉnh giấc mộng
Tâm lành phát sinh Nghe nhiều âm thanh
Hạnh phúc ñã về Nhìn ñời muôn sắc
Nắm ñược trong tay Nét nào cũng hay
Chìa khoá sự sống Mầu nào cũng ñẹp
Nu cười bất tận Nhận thức ô hay
An lạc muôn nơi Cuộc sống nhiệm mầu

Tiếng chim líu lo Tiếng chim líu lo

Lo nghĩ làm chi Vô tư ñùa giỡn
Tâm trí rộn ràng Niềm lo biến mất
Bụi ñời mờ mịt Cơn giận tiêu tan
Nhìn cũng như không Thấy ñời muôn lối
ðông người qua lại Chẳng ñi cũng tới
Vắng bóng tình thương Bến ñỗ an lành
Ý nghĩa cuộc sống Tìm ñâu chi nữa
Tỏ lu ẩn hiện Ta về bên nhau
Dừng lại ñi thôi An nhiên muôn thưở

Tâm ðức Hành - Hamburg

40
TTT Spirit January 2009
Culture

Don’t Hurry !

Mindful Cartoon by Thầy Pháp Tự - Plum Village 41

TTT Spirit January 2009
Culture

Living in the present moment

We’re living in the present moment

We don’t live in the past
We can’t live in the future
It’s only the present moment
That lasts

We may be moving very fast

We may be walking slow
It doesn’t really matter
It’s only the present moment
We know

Looking at the brown earth

Sprouting plants of green
Vast sky of empty blue
Moon shines a silver sheen

We better make the most of it

This present that we live
Learning to be happy
So we can receive and give
Encouragement and joyfulness
Fresh breeze and gentle rain
Community and friendship
Help relieve the world of pain

Breathing in and breathing out

Transforming our minds
Clearing away all obstacles
Let the true love light shine
Walking down the sidewalk
Black crow caws flying past
I marvel in the moment
What more can we ask

Words & Music by Gary Palen - Canada

42
TTT Spirit
Social
The Art of Giving
Love without boundaries
T hirteen years ago, at the age of 20,
Aline Rebaud travelled many
countries over the world and she
came to Vietnam to look for inspiration for her
paintings. She learned Vietnamese and began
researching and exploring Vietnam with great
passion. Then, she had an accidental situation
that keeps her staying in this country and gives
her a mission that is different from her initial
intention.
One evening Aline met a 10-year old child
crying because of hunger and fright in a dark
corner of the street. She bought food for the
child and tried to feed him, but he was too
weak to be able to eat. Taking him to the
hospital, heart and lung problems were
diagnosed and the boy was about to die with
open sores all over his body. Doctors gave up
on saving him, but Aline did not have the heart
to leave this child alone and stayed at his
bedside, washing and feeding him. After
nursing him back to life, she decided to rent a
house to continue taking care of this child and
other homeless children, who call her lovingly
mother “Tim” meaning heart since then.
Taking care of these children, the dream to help
unfortunate people was nourished deeply within
her. Trained as an artist during her years in
Geneva and Paris, she sold all of her paintings
and with the support from her friends, she
bought a two-bedroom house in one of the
poorest neighbourhoods in Saigon, and started
to gather the orphans, children and heavily
disabled persons she found in the streets. A
family composed of adults and children was
founded, who live harmoniously together based
on true solidarity.
January 2009
More than three decades after the end of the war,
Vietnam has gradually evolved into a free economy.
Many people became very rich, but the economic
boom did not benefit everybody. For each newly rich
person, there are thousands more who are excluded.
Two groups of excluded people are particularly
vulnerable, because they don’t even have the ability to
take care of themselves:
1. Either orphans or abandoned by their parents, these
children, most of them illiterate, are forced to survive
by themselves on the street. There are as many as
20,000 to 40,000 of them, aged from 4 and up, living
in the streets of Saigon.
2. Handicapped people, either through birth defect,
mostly due to the Dioxin or Agent Orange from the
war, or accidents at work. There is no infrastructure to
accommodate or to care for disabled people in
Vietnam. Becoming a burden because of their
disability, they are often abandoned by their own
family and many of them choose suicide as the way
out.
In order to help more people, she returned to
Switzerland and called for the establishment of
Maison Chance Organization with hundreds of
members in Switzerland and France. They
raised funds for building Maison Chance
establishment. During the early days of its
operation, Tim did everything she could, going
to market to buy foods, playing the role of a
teacher, tending the sick like an orderly,
nursing the babies like a mother, and raising
money to feed the family like a father. The
children have also been taught by Tim how to
43
TTT Spirit January 2009
Social

live together peacefully, emphasizing listening, production or business establishments to find

respecting each others' spaces, participating in jobs and integrate themselves into community.
the tasks of the house, sharing, smiling, In 2006 the disabled workers at Maison
forgiving and solidarity. Sometimes, she could Chance collectively generated $26,000 worth
not help preventing tears from her eyes, but she of revenue (the average wage in Vietnam is less
has never become discouraged in face of than $1,000/ year). Everyone here has their own
numerous difficulties. bank account and receives 10 per cent of their
Tim said she was deeply influenced by her salary for spending every month, while the rest
mother who always wishes to do many jobs for is saved.
charity. Moreover, as her only younger brother
has been deaf since his childhood, she has In the computer class, Duy looks very confident
loved and felt for as he controls
the disadvantaged. the computer’s
mouse and
Now things go keyboard with
well in Maison his deformed
Chance, which has hands. Duy has
become a shelter been learning
for about 300 computer for six
children and adults. years. He
With the usually types
support of aid documents, re-
organizations and stores old
volunteer doctors, photos and
nurses and teachers design cards for
a health clinic, a customers.
primary school, Another com-
which is also puter enthusiast
open to poor children, and a school is Hạnh, who was born into a poor family
for vocational training, has been built up. in Bến Tre Province and got paralysed
Integration is the most important outcome for at four. She likes learning computer very
Tim and by giving basic education and much and dreams to become a computer expert.
vocational training she has helped many

“
unfortunate people in Vietnam to regain self-
confidence and independence. “Despite their I am far luckier,
disabilities, they still have a mind to think and
the will to live. So my target is to encourage so I must help them.
them to stand on their own as much as No other work brings me
possible.” Members of the Maison Chance can as much happiness as this.
attend general education, music, painting,
foreign language, informatics, tailoring and In garment-making room, we are amazed at
fashion designing courses. Those who acquire various pretty teddy bears and other animals
good skills after such vocational training and which were made skillfully by the disabled
have good health are recommended to people to the orders of foreign customers.
44
TTT Spirit
Social
And in the painting room, there are many
water-colour paintings with beautiful rural
landscapes by Tài and patterns printed on the
clothes by Nhi, the head of the painting group.
Nhi usually creates designs for print on fabric
for French customers and designs greeting
cards. Tài, Nhi and two other young adults
were recently sent to France to study
designing.
“ My work is still like
that of an artist,
adding sparkling spots of colour
to grey, unfortunate lives.
I have no regrets about choosing
this path, and I’ll never stop!
Entering the 4th grade class, Tùng is teaching
pupils about the climate in Vietnam. It is one
of the free-of-charge classes for poor children.
The class consists of 14 pupils of different
ages. Tùng has volunteered to teach
January 2009
in Maison Chance since his two sons died in
1996. His children were affected by Agent
Orange and had been treated in Saigon with the
assistance of Tim.
When asked why she decided to build the
Maison Chance rather than find other easier
work, Tim smiled and said: “I had no decision in
it, but felt that the work chose me.” She says that
raising other people’s spirits lifts her own. “I am
far luckier, so I must help them. No other work
brings me as much happiness as this.”
Today her full schedule leaves her with little
time to follow her passion for art. “But my work
is still like that of an artist, adding sparkling
spots of colour to grey, unfortunate lives. I have
no regrets about choosing this path, and I’ll
never stop!”
If you are interested in receiving more
information about this wonderful project,
supporting Maison Chance by donating money/
buying products, or volunteering, please visit:
www.maison-chance.org (source for this article)
45
TTT Spirit January 2009
Social

Youth & Action

After watching a documentary about Sister Tim and the Maison Chance
during the Spring Retreat in Stuttgart, the children and young people asked themselves:

“What can we do for the children and young people in Vietnam?”

Love Walk

This group of children had the idea to raise

funds for hungry children in Vietnam by
practicing walking meditation, which was
financially sponsored by adults – 1 Euro for
30 minutes walking meditation. Both these
children and the ones in Vietnam benefited
from this practice – they raised a total
amount of 107 Euros.

Bathing The “Baby Buddha”

This group of children had a fabulous

“business idea” to raise funds for hungry
children in Vietnam: Cleaning the dishes.
Bowl/ Plate/ Cup - 20 Cents
Chopsticks/ Spoon/ Fork/ Knife - 10 Cents
Cleaning the dishes was a practice of joy
and nourished their sisterhood and
brotherhood – they worked together so
harmoniously and with so much
enthusiasm! An amount of 107 Euros was
raised.

46
TTT Spirit January 2009
Social

Interactive Package

Team’s name: The Buffalos

Description: Our packages aims to introduce and talk about different themes that are
related to the practice of Buddhism (5 Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings, ecology,
positive music etc.) thanks to different original presentations : Quizz, videos, music,
etc. This package will be free to be downloaded on a website ( problably TTT website
but yet to determine with the team).

Objectives: We want to make the package reachable to young people in Europe and
young people in Vietnam, and to give them the curiosity to know more about it. We
would like to introduce them to different topics that interest us and are linked to the
spirit of some of our activities. Every member of the team has total freedom to realize
his topic. We hope to enjoy doing it and the same for people playing it! ☺

Project coordinator: Khương Lân - khuonglan@gmail.com

Let’s Be Friends!

Team’s name: Compass.ion (Compassion is our Compass!)

Description: Building up friendships with children of the Maison Chance in Vietnam

by writing letters.

Objectives: Supporting social projects, which improve the living conditions of

children in Vietnam by donating money or raising funds is a good practice to nourish
our compassion, but it is not enough. With this project we aspire to develop true
compassion by being in touch with the children, learning about the things which make
them happy, understanding their life situation and difficulties. It also involves the
practice of equanimity by transforming the "You-are-unfortunate-and-I-am-the-hero-
who-is-helping-you" – attitude. You are my friend, you are in need and it is natural to
try our best to help our friend, isn’t it? So…let’s be friends, huh?! ☺

Project coordinator: Hân – tamducbao@gmail.com

If you are interested in participating in or make further suggestions

for these projects, please contact the global coordinator:
Sâm – sam.bui@hotmail.com or the project coordinators.
47
 TTT Spirit
Thầy ðòng Châu playing
with a Montagnard child
Doing maths homework joyfully
Eating breakfast mindfully
Simple block of wood as a bed
January 2009
Social
Dear beloved Sisters and Brothers,
I’m haaappy to share with you about TTT´s new social project! We
have decided to donate the amount of 1500 Euros from Dr.
Eisenlauer, which was originally planned to invest in building up a
small class in Vietnam (s. TTT Spirit # 2), to the A Di ðà Pagoda.
The A Di ðà Pagoda was founded by Thầy ðòng Châu, a Buddhist
monk, about 3 years ago and is situated in Vietnam´s Central
Highlands, Bảo Lọc, near Thầy´s Prajñā Monastery. Thầy ðC
founded this institution with the intention to provide Montagnard
children, who belong to an ethnic minority, with support which has
an educational as well as a spiritual and cultural dimension.
Montagnards are not supported by the government and face many
various difficulties in their daily lives. Most of the Montagnards in
Bảo Lọc make their living by working as peasants on coffee and tea
plantations from foreign planters, i.e. they are extremely exploited.
The money they earn is just barely sufficient to cover their living
needs, not to mention to finance school education for their children.
While their parents work on the plantations all day long, the children
are on their own and spend their time wandering around aimlessly.
Responding to that need Thầy ðC built up this institution to offer these
children a long-term place to stay where they have the opportunity to
play, go to school and at the same time nourish and maintain their
cultural roots. Going to a Vietnamese school helps them to integrate
into the Vietnamese society, and by practicing and receiving regular
lessons in their mother language, they can continue to enjoy and
preserve their beautiful culture.
There are weekly exchanges between the Prajñā Monastery and this
pagoda, i.e. monastics come to teach and play with the children or the
children come to the PM to participate in Mindfulness Days with
Vietnamese children. Parents and family members often visit them to
take part in their activities and are very happy to see their children
living in this way. The seeds of practice in the children are watered at
a young age.
The money will be spent on food, medicine, clothes, school fees and
materials for 24 children, who are currently living there.
This donation will be greatly appreciated in the current climate of the
financial crisis and rising food prices in Vietnam.
Thank you all for making this possible, in a direct or indirect way!
Special thanks to our “Crispy ðạt”, who put so much love and energy
into the presentation movie for the sponsor!
A morning dewdrop to you,
Hân ☺
48
TTT Spirit
News
European Buddhist Youth
for a Healthy &
Compassionate Society
Dear friends,
Recently we organized a Mindfulness Day for
young people in Napoli, Italy. It took place at a
cinema and 500 students from the age of 16 to
19 years and also some of their teachers came
in order to practice with the Plum Village
Sangha. This Mindfulness Day was very joyful
and nourishing. Practicing with the young
people in Napoli was very inspiring for the
monastic sisters and brothers, as they felt that
the young people responded to the Dharma and
the practice very wholeheartedly.
At the beginning of the Dharma Talk I talked
about the presence of both the seeds of anger,
suffering, violence and the seeds of love, hope,
happiness in our minds. If we live in an
environment - the environment in the family,
school and society - which is not nourishing,
then the negative seeds in us are watered and
the positive seeds are not. Our happiness
depends very much on the environment we are
living in.
We learn a lot in school, i.e. geography,
mathematics, history, literature, etc. but the
teachers don’t teach the students how to deal
January 2009
with and transform the suffering, anger and
violence in their minds. Therefore it is
necessary to teach students how to deal with
strong emotions such as anger, violence,
depression, desire etc. in school in the future,
and at the same time the method how to
cultivate the seeds of love, understanding and
joy. The ministry of education needs to train
teachers in the art of love and transformation -
these two subjects don’t exist yet.
On the flight back to France I had the idea to
build up a youth group, which applies the
teaching and the practice of the Buddha into
their daily life in order to cultivate the beauty
and virtue of human beings and build up a
healthy society with love and compassion.
Nowadays there are so many youth groups who
are active in helping the society, i.e. reducing
famine and poverty, fighting for social justice,
social revolution, etc., but there is not a youth
group yet who make life more beautiful
through an ethical and spiritual aspiration. We
already have many young people in different
countries, who have this aspiration. With a
good organization we will be able to build up
such a youth group - parallel to the building up
of the European Institute for Applied Buddhism
in Germany - and create a movement in
Europe. There are already conditions, we only
have to unite them in order to realize this.
Sitting in the plane, I have also thought about a
name for this group which fits to our time. In
1964 I have also founded a youth group – it
was called “The Youth for Social Service”
49
TTT Spirit
News
(Thanh Niên Phụng Sự Xã Hội). I have
suggested the following name: Buddhist Youth
for A Healthy and Compassionate Society. This
means we need a direction, a direction of
building up a healthy society because there is
so much confusion, illness and violence in our
society and lack of love; but the word “love” is
not precise enough, compassion is more
suitable, very Buddhistic and precise - we need
to treat each other with compassion. The word
“healthy” is nice, as this word contains the
word “heal” and “health”. There is also the
word “sane” - this has nothing to do with
“insane”, hehehe - and “stubborn”, hehehe. We
need to discuss, look up the dictionary and find
words which are suitable for the name.
The reason why we use the word “European” is
because the European Union - originated in a
conference in Rome with the intention to build
up an economical and political union - is in the
beginning of its development; it’s still a dream
that is now slowly being realized. The people
still love Europe. In the past the United States
was a very beautiful dream and many people
trusted in them. But now the image of the USA
is not as beautiful as it was before – now many
people hate the USA, but they don’t hate
Europe yet. That is why we use the word
“European” instead of “International”, as
Europe is still a beautiful dream which we can
lean on. When the people begin to hate Europe,
we will change the name, hehehe.
The name I suggested is too complicated and
long though. So I am asking you, young
monastics and lay friends, to help me finding a
short and suitable name the sooner the better.
To my mind young people need an ideal in life,
an ideal of love and compassion – we have to
live in such a way to maintain our physical and
mental health, transform our suffering and
cultivate joy and happiness in order to build up
January 2009
a society. Therefore the foundation of this
youth group’s practice is The Five Wonderful
Mindfulness Trainings – a concrete expression
and practice of love and compassion. If
everyone in the world would practice the 5
WMTs, the suffering could be relieved and
there would be peace and happiness in this
world. If young people practice like that they
will be able to bring happiness to themselves
and their families, and with this ability they
will be able to build up a healthy society. We
have to find a way to pass on such an ideal to
young people.
I always have to laugh when I am thinking
about how the members of this youth group
will greet each other - holding up our five
fingers (according to the 5 WMTs)? hehehe
Everyone who has listened to this Dharma Talk
today should please think about the basic
conditions and a way to create such Youth
Sanghas in many countries.
[Sound of the bell]
Today the Dharma Talk has been a bit
short….hehehe.
Sư Ông Thích Nhất Hạnh
Selected excerpt from the Dharma Talk on the
3rd of April 2008, Plum Village, translated
from the Vietnamese by Hân
For further information about the Buddhist &
Non-Buddhist Youth for a Healthy and
Compassionate Society aka the Wake Up!
Movement, please visit the new website
www.wkup.org and blog ww.wkup.org/blog
(Thầy reads it regularly! If you feel inspired,
please don’t hesitate to contribute! ).
50
TTT Spirit January 2009
News

European Days 2008

Leuven - 20-21.09 Harwich – 17.-19.10

Cambridge – 17.-19.10 Antwerp – 24.-26.10

51
TTT Spirit January 2009
News

Waldbröl – 15.-16.11 Brussels – 30.11

Antwerp – 13.12 Paris – 28.12-02.01

2009…?
Let’s altogether continue making this vision come true
and build up a healthy and compassionate society!
Long live Sisterhood and Brotherhood!
52
TTT Spirit
News
Film Recommendation
The Cave of The Yellow Dog
The five members of a nomad family lead a
life far removed from modern civilisation in
the endless expanse of the Mongolian steppe.
As in ancient times they make their living as
sheep herders – and in accord with nature.
While taking a walk six-year-old Nansaa finds
a little black-and-white spotted dog in a cave
along the cliffs. She names him “Zochor”, the
colourful one, and takes him home with her.
But her father tells her to get rid of him, for
wild dogs have interbred with the wolves and
could attack the sheep. When her father goes
on a long trip to the city to sell sheepskins,
Nansaa keeps the little dog, who becomes her
trusted companion. One day she loses track of
him in the tundra – and while searching for
him encounters an old nomad woman, who
tells her the legend of the cave of the yellow
dog…
The Cave of The Yellow Dog portrays the
everyday life of a traditional family of
Mongolian nomads, a life hat will possibly
soon no longer exist in this form. “I’ve been
Director Byambasuren Davaa
Actors The Batchuluun Family
Genre Documentary/ Drama
Duration 93 minutes
Date of Release 2006
January 2009
interested in the transformation that Mongolia
is going through, the urbanisation and the
essential question it poses for the nomads,”
says Davaa, the director. But she also shows
an overriding spiritual level in which the
spectators are introduced to the Mongolian
view of the world with their belief in
reincarnation and close ties with nature -
“What I tried to do was to fit myself in with
their lives. The nomads respect nature and
they subordinate themselves to nature. They
don’t just sort of go out and say, ‘oh, horrible
weather today, it’s too hot or it’s too cold.’
Instead, they fit in with the weather as it is and
similarly what I wanted to do when I made the
film was to fit in with their rhythm, with the
way that they lead their lives.“ Davaa thus
weaves tradition and modernity, fact and
fiction into a moving story of the age-old bond
between man and dog.
So enjoy this breathtakingly unique record of
a simple and mindful way of life, and spend a
magical hour out on the windy plains of
Mongolia. You'll never forget it...
53
TTT Spirit
News
Book Recommendations
Rain Falls on The Just and Unjust
T
he morning announced itself like
an unanswered prayer. A light mist
fell upon the earth. Birds chanted
through the silence and space, and
the traffic had not yet begun. As the sun rose,
the day gained momentum, rain continued
falling and cars started running. Small puddles
gathered by the hundreds on the sidewalk and
roads.
The Lees opened their store along with young
Celine. Rice Boy was already unloading out of
a small truck. Thursday was when all the
weekly produce arrived. Cartons of fresh
fruits, herbs, and vegetables, such as manioc,
durian, mango, coconut, parsley, thyme,
coriander, and chili pepper, perfumed the air.
“
Rice Boy especially took pleasure appreciating
the durians, for they had a strong and enticing
smell.
He relished the outdoors and wet weather,
tilting his head up in the sky to greet a soft
blanket of rain. The fresh air sweetened his
lungs. Rain sat like dewdrops on young green
leaves, soaked in branches, or absorbed in tree
roots. Celine had planted herself on the store
steps, eating a sticky rice cake.
He envied her innocent spontaneity, and a
phrase came to his mind: Rain falls on the just
and unjust. He saw that he was the just. There
were many times in his life where he had done
the right thing and tasted the wholesome fruit
of his actions. He also was the unjust. He had
lied and hurt people without any sympathy or
awareness. But most importantly, he
understood that he was the rain. He had the
courage to wash both just and unjust away and
start anew.
January 2009
The little girl nibbled her dessert quietly,
watching and listening to the wonder of rain.
Her eyes were like two jewels that sparkled
and burned with effortlessness. Mrs. Lee
naively believed her daughter was abnormal
because each time it would rain or snow,
Celine grabbed a snack and went by the
window. There she would perch herself
comfortably with a straight back as if she were
watching a suspenseful movie. For Celine, the
rain was alive. It danced without any music,
making different tunes, depending on where it
had landed—on the hard road, metal cars, or
delicate leaves. She laughed and giggled with
nature’s concert.
He had the courage to wash
both just and unjust away
and start anew.
Watching Celine, Rice Boy felt a sadness that
came with age. He saw how easily people,
including himself, were caught in a messy
network of their own thoughts and desires.
They accumulated layers of painful and happy
memories, and as the years rushed by, their
minds became crammed with fragmented
images and false concepts of reality. But that
little girl knew nothing about grudges,
revenge, or hatred. The more she observed,
the more her eyes grew with beauty and
innocence. It seemed as though she had
become one with the rain. She was the mist
that caressed his skin, waking him up from his
54
TTT Spirit January 2009
News

long and dull slumber. She was the drop that

fell and merged with the ocean.

Mr. Lee projected his voice from inside,

disturbing Rice Boy’s introspection. “Doc, I
need you to go in and watch the store for a
minute. I’m gonna run some errands.” He took
his bag and walked outside toward the truck.
“That’s good for now. You’ve got all the fresh
products in. Unload the rest this afternoon,” he
added. Rice Boy nodded, “All right, whatever
you want, boss.” “And make sure nobody
steals anything,” Mr. Lee ordered as he
walked away.

The rain died down and the trees sparkled as if

they had been adorned with diamonds. The
sky cleared into a cerulean blue and the sun
shone again with heat and intensity. Rice Boy
took a last glimpse at a rainbow, looked down
at the puddles by his feet, and saw perfectly
his own reflection.
anger. “You want me to slap you again with
the chopstick?” Threat and force were the
mother’s first reaction to her child’s state of
disobedience. Sadly, Mrs. Lee only knew this
one method to educate Celine. There were
moments when she deemed it necessary. But
most of the time, this habitual treatment was
her easiest and only way to show authority,

“
and the fastest way for Celine to revolt. “I
The more she observed, don’t want to,” Celine said. “You leave
without me.” “You’re going home whether
the more her eyes grew you like it or not,” Mrs. Lee said, dragging her
with beauty and innocence. out. The little girl didn’t resist. She looked at
She had become one with the rain. Rice Boy with a sad face, so he smiled
sympathetically at her.

Mrs. Lee was idle at the cash register and

screamed for Rice Boy’s attention. “Doc, we
need more fresh tofu and spring rolls in the
fridge up front. Oh! And don’t forget to stack ðạt Phan - La Bâtie
some more rice bags also. It should always be Excerpt from The Changing River
full so customers will see that we have plenty For further information about the author and
in the store.” this book please visit www.changingriver.com
Mrs. Lee grabbed Celine by the wrist. “Watch
the register for a moment, will you? I’m
gonna take Meimei home.” The girl squirmed.
“No, I wanna stay and play with Tonton Doc.”
Mrs. Lee raised her voice and bit her lips in
55
TTT Spirit January 2009
News

Vegetarian Vietnamese Cookery

by Dr. Phụng Thị Lý

T
his book includes a variety of
delicious recipes, from easy-to-
prepare every day dishes to more
complicated dishes. It introduces
the Vietnamese Buddhist approach to
preparing and cooking food with awareness
and joy, with a preface by Thầy:

“The joy begins with the intention to make a

dish. While gathering ingredients, enjoy your
breathing and look at each ingredient to see
where and how it has come to you. And while
peeling, cutting and washing, treasure them as
gifts of the whole universe. Take time to cook.
Enjoy the time of cooking. Think of the
enjoyment of the people who are going to taste
it. The time devoted to make the dish is the
time for practicing mindfulness. Never lose The book contains numerous colour
your mindful breathing, and your mindful photographs to illustrate the recipe and
steps while moving back and forth in the demonstrate the techniques used to prepare the
kitchen. The dish you are making is not only a dishes.
piece of art, it is a fruit of practice. Your joy

“
and mindfulness should be the most important
ingredients for the preparation of the dish. Your joy and mindfulness
And arrange it so that while enjoying the dish
everyone around the table is capable of being should be the most important
truly present. Cook and eat in such a way that ingredients for the preparation
can help us preserve the planet and nourish of the dish.
your love and compassion.
Happy cooking, bon appetit!”
Available from the Community of Interbeing
Dr. Thị Phụng Lý combines her nutritional
bookshop: bookshop@interbeing.org.uk
knowledge as a medical doctor with the
For Belgium/ Germany please contact Hân
wisdom brought down to her through her
(tamducbao@gmail.com). All profits will go
mother and grandmother in Vietnam, in order
to the Being Peace Centre in Dorset, UK.
to adapt these recipes for vegetarians and
vegans with ingredients available in Europe.
56
TTT Spirit January 2009
News

Vegan

Chocolate

Cake
WHAT YOU WILL NEED WHAT TO ENJOY DOING

State of mind Cake

Mindfulness & Joy Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and
flour two 9-inch cake pans.
Cake In large bowl of an electric mixer, combine
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder the cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and baking
1 1/2 cups sugar powder. Add oil, water, soy milk, and tofu and
1 teaspoon salt beat until mixture is creamy. Fold in flour.
3 teaspoons baking powder Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30
1/2 cup canola oil minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup soy milk Frosting
2 ounces firm tofu -- mashed with a fork In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa
3 cups unbleached flour powder, and margarine. Mix until creamy.
Frost cooled cake.
Frosting
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar Notes
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Makes 1 two-layer cake. This cake tastes just
1 stick soy margarine - softened like "regular" chocolate cake!

YUMMY, YUMMY…ENJOOOY!!!
57
TTT Spirit January 2009
Sangha Action

The Sangha Action we propose to you is to

Be mindful !
Be concentrated !
Be creative !

Please share your experience of a self-free day with your brothers and sisters
in the next TTT Spirit issue by sending your contribution to TTTproject@gmail.com .
58
TTT Spirit January 2009
The End

Breathing in,
we are aware of your precious presence,
which made this newsletter possible.
Breathing out,
we smile to you in gratitude.

TTT Spirit newsletter can be freely distributed for non-commercial purposes. Dec 2008 ©

- Appendices follows (translations) - 59

 TTT Spirit January 2009
Appendices

About Collecting Herbs

Warm sounds of the bell invite the morning to the festival of life
From far away chanting recounds
The pure voice of the Montagnard children
Sweet sugar cane
Fresh spring water
Rising wave
The children leave the meditation hall
Let us begin with the morning tasks!
Removing dust from the Buddha altar
I open my eyes and smile Filling the cups with fresh tea
Opening the door, I breathe in the fresh morning air Lighting incense
The monastery is floating on the calm sea of fog Cleaning the tables
How sweet the fragrant morning dew tastes! Gathering garbage
The clouds have awakened Sweeping the floor
An artwork reveals itself in front of me Their small palms are tender lotus blossoms
Celebrating the beginning of the day, Each movement creates a wonderful fragrance
colour fields manifest in the sky The fragrance of mindfulness
Vibrant orange on deep blue The fragrance of being
Overwhelming silence The fragrance of joy
Overwhelming beauty
Overwhelming peace

The fragrance of freshly cooked rice arises,

calling the children to come to breakfast
Today we have rice with pumpkin flowers
The colour of the moon interconnects with the colour of the sun
in a harmonious composition
Now all bowls are filled
Filled with gratitude,
a flower blooms
in our mind
in our palms
Together with the whole cosmos
we enjoy the meal in silence

I t is time to go to school
“Sing a song, before you leave“, Thầy* requests
The children giggle, embarassed
One thousand shoots sprout upwards from the earth
“Xin nguyện làm dòng sôôông, không làm hạt nước nhỏỏỏ...“**
Leaves grow
Flowers bloom
I smile
Smile
Smile

* Thầy = Abbot of the pagoda, in which the Montagnard children live

** „I vow to become a river, not to stay a small drop of water...“ 60
 TTT Spirit January 2009
Appendices

With jigging steps the children dance on the brown-red earth

and show us the way to the waterfall
Mother Earth noursihes us with her solidity
We pass small, simple huts
Whose hands have woven these banana leaves so artfully?
Green tea hills inscribe calligraphies full of poetry into the landscape
Didn‘t the artist, who held this brush in his hands, thereby performed a lively dance?
The sky is so clear
I look into the peaceful, blue eyes of this child
Is it possible to look into these eyes without smiling wholeheartedly?
A gentle wind caresses my head
How fresh the air is!
„Everything will be alright“, the crickets whispers to us chirping
We have arrived
At the gate to the jungle
Bamboo leaves lightheartedly wave to us

While crossing the bridge,

I hear the stream playing her eternal sonata
I stop and listen
Do you hear the clear laughter of a thousand stars?
The music of the forest flows through my mind and body,
awakening spring within me
Breathing in, a celestially sweet fragrance fills my lungs
Oh, how much joy a flower can offer to life with its pure being!
Reaching the other shore,
a violet wild flower greets me with a shining smile
“Today is a festival day!“, she declares
I smile back and sing: “Yes!“
L et us climb trees and touch the sky!
Do you see the plant overthere?
She has beautiful red roots
He digs her out
He looks at her
The smile of someone, who has discovered a precious treasure,
blooms on his lips
Look, there by the wayside a mushroom grows!
He picks it
Rays of light touch the mushroom,
transforming it into a jewel
Seeing my admiration,
he gives the rare mushroom to me
Without hesitation
Giving
Owning
Look, there are delicious herbs!
He collects the herbs
lays one on the top of the other carefully
furls them in a big leave leaf
binds them with a long culm on his abdomen
“Now we have enough ingredients for lunch!“, he says smiling
Simple
Overwhelming 61
 TTT Spirit January 2009
Appendices
Present moment, wonderful moment!
The children jump from one rock to another
Fan-shaped leaves they hold as umbrellas in their hands
More and more water pearls form ornaments on their umbrellas
A child stops and rests both hands on his head
He looks at the waterfall
The waterfall looks at him
Are he and the waterfall still two different realities?
Has there ever been something more important for him to do?
Aimlessness
Freedom
Truth
Art

“ Live deeply in the present moment,

and you will see
The waterfall
is the Buddha
is the Dharma
is your Sangha“,
the monk tells me
I smile
The rushing of the waterfall
The rushing of the waterfall
The powerful call that we have always known
All my wishes are already fulfilled
Life!

“ Thank you for leading us to the waterfall. On the return path we encounter the children
They did not want to leave yet
We will find the path of return. Sitting on a high tree they wait for us
Now go to school, you will be late.“ To show us the way home
They smile and leave What does it mean to be late?
What is the most important thing to do in this moment?
Unconditional love
I am sitting on a rock
Simply sitting
Breathing
Being
Warm sun rays embrace me
Owning nothing!
Owning everything!
Why do we have to achieve something to become somebody?
What does it mean to be civilized?
Why?
What does it mean to be non-civilized?
“Come, let us return.
At the end of the day,
It is time for lunch, Thầy is waiting.“
isn‘t it all simply about knowing
I am looking for a sharp stone
how to collect herbs?
and inscribe words into the rock I sat on
Do you know these words?
The stone I take with me

I wrote down these thoughts, after having spent a day in the jungle of Vietnam‘s central highlands (Bảo Lọc) with a monk, his friend and
the Monatgnard children, who belong to an ethnic minority. Their natural character, their simple way of living and close bond to nature
have touched me deeply. Montagnards are often despised and their way of living is regarded as primitive. But what does being primitive,
what does being civilized mean?
I am deeply grateful towards these children for showing me the way to the waterfall and giving me these evergreen herbs.
62
Thùy-Hân Nguyễn-Chí (20) – Antwerp; translated by Hân, revised by Thầy Pháp ðiền & Anh Luận