Deer Park Dharmacast

Sister Chua Xua was a social worker and left a long-term relationship to become ordained as a nun at Bát Nhã, a Plum Village monastery that closed due to harassment from the Vietnamese government. "I also have a dream. I have a wish that I can support the young Western people to take the monastic life. The life that when you open your eyes, you see the moon and the star over your window. You feel very free. You light the candle with the hot cup of tea, the warm one, and you enjoy tea in the early morning. You look through the windows, you enjoy the moon and the star, and you enjoy your free life." 1:53 Visiting the Monastery, Social Work 6:27 Relationship Before Ordination 9:33 Wake Up Sangha 11:21 Working for a Company, Decision to Become a Nun 18:35 Bat Nha Monastery 28:02 Father's Illness and Death 31:42 Living at Different Practice Centers 33:21 Bringing Buddhism to the West 37:16 Difficulties in Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. In this episode of Meet the Monastics from Deer Park Monastery, Brother Minh An introduces Sister Chua Xua, a nun from Vietnam who shares her transformative journey into monastic life. Born in 1981 and ordained in 2010 at the age of 29, Sister Chua Xua brings energy and a deep heart of service to her spiritual practice. Her path began with a background in sociology and social work, where she faced burnout from emotional exhaustion while supporting marginalized communities. A retreat at Bat Nha Monastery in Vietnam introduced her to mindfulness practices and a vibrant community of young practitioners, inspiring her to reimagine her life. Despite initially not considering monastic life, the deep joy and transformation she witnessed at the monastery eventually led her to ordain. Sister Chua Xua reflects on her personal challenges, including leaving a long-term romantic relationship and navigating the emotional aftermath with the support of the mindfulness practice and the Wake Up Sangha. She describes the tumultuous closure of Bat Nha Monastery due to political pressures, a pivotal moment that solidified her commitment to the monastic path. Through her practice, Sister Chua Xua has embraced a life of simplicity, freedom, and service, drawing strength from the Plum Village community's teachings. She now aspires to share the beauty of monastic life with young people, emphasizing the peace, clarity, and joy it offers. Her story highlights the transformative power of mindfulness, community, and self-discovery. Sister Chua Xua's experiences underline how monastic practice fosters inner freedom and equips practitioners to live harmoniously with others. Her journey from social work to spiritual dedication offers profound insights into resilience and the pursuit of a meaningful, connected life.

Sister Phu Nghiem is one of three nuns in her immediate blood family and is passionate about bringing mindfulness to children. "So I focus a lot more on my steps. On how I choose the food when I come to a meal. I learn to enjoy the meal and enjoy my siblings. And that has supported me a whole lot now that I'm here at Deer Park. I'm learning how to do that. And I notice my relationship with my sibling is more honest. But I think the most important thing is that my relationship with myself is a lot more honest. So that made me very happy." 2:07 - Introduction to Spiritual Life 7:49 - Professional Life and Decision to Become a Nun 14:15 - Starting Magnolia Grove 18:46 - Stress and Working Mindfully 26:13 - Mother's Ordination 31:01 - Practicing with the name "Gift from Heaven" 34:47 - Advice for Those Considering Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. Brother Minh An introduces an episode of Meet the Monastics featuring Sister Phu Nghiem, who shares her journey to monastic life and reflections on mindfulness practice. Born in central Vietnam in 1981, Sister Phu Nghiem emigrated to the U.S. at age 10, eventually pursuing interior design before feeling called to the monastic path. Influenced by her family's Buddhist roots and her sister's earlier ordination, she found deeper meaning through the Plum Village tradition. Her initial experiences at the Green Mountain Dharma Center awakened a sense of alignment with the practice, leading her to ordain in 2008. Sister Phu Nghiem reflects on her challenges and growth within the monastic community, including starting Magnolia Grove Monastery and balancing responsibilities with self-care. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in cultivating a rhythm of life that fosters well-being and honest relationships. As she now supports her aging mother, also a nun, she views this as a unique chapter of learning and joy, blending her spiritual and familial roles. She concludes by describing monastic life as a "luxury lifestyle," offering a rich, disciplined, and beautiful way of living for those committed to the practice. Encouraging listeners to consider the monastic path, Sister Phu Nghiem shares how the teachings and precepts have deepened her relationships and transformed her life.

Sister Le Nghiem came to the practice after the death of her brother, and typically does solo retreat at the monastery for a few weeks a year. "So the practice gives me the greatest happiness. And this practice gives me being with others. Being with friends on retreat. Being with my siblings. Spending time each other. So when I practice it gives me happiness. And when my practice is deep, my happiness gets deeper. So it's all to do with the practice, nothing else." 2:17 Death of Brother and Discovering Thay's Teachings 9:25 Meeting the Monastic Sangha, Deciding to Become a Nun 17:00 Spending Time with Family Before Ordination 23:08 Nourishment from Solitude 32:34 Advice for Potential Nuns 35:49 Greatest Happiness in Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. This is an interview from Meet the Monastics, hosted by Brother Minh An at Deer Park Monastery. The episode features Sister Le Nghiem, also known as Sister Respect, a monastic in the Plum Village tradition ordained in 2005 at the age of 35. Key Highlights: Journey to Monastic Life: She discovered mindfulness and Thích Nhất Hạnh's teachings during a difficult time after her brother's passing. Reading The Miracle of Mindfulness and joining a local Sangha in Brisbane were transformative, helping her heal and connect deeply with the Plum Village practice. Her aspiration to become a nun solidified after meeting Plum Village monastics during retreats in Australia. Family Challenges and Support: Coming from a non-Buddhist family, Sister Le Nghiem faced initial resistance to her decision to ordain. She postponed ordination in Vietnam in 2005 to spend quality time with her family, preparing them for her new path. Over time, her family grew to accept and support her choice. Solo Retreats and Community Life: Sister Le Nghiem finds nourishment in both solitary practice and community living. Her solo retreats allow her to connect deeply with herself, cultivating mindfulness and understanding. At the same time, she thrives in the Sangha environment, sharing the practice and building strong relationships with her monastic siblings. Inspiration for Young Women: Sister Le Nghiem advises aspiring nuns to focus wholeheartedly on the basic practices of mindfulness, which she believes are the foundation of a fulfilling monastic life. She emphasizes putting one's heart into the practice to find clarity and joy. The Role of Practice: Throughout her journey, Sister Le Nghiem highlights the central role of practice in cultivating happiness. Whether alone or with others, her deep commitment to mindfulness brings her the greatest fulfillment. This heartfelt interview offers insight into Sister Le Nghiem's spiritual path, her balance of solitude and community, and her unwavering dedication to the practice, which continues to inspire her daily life.

Brother Minh Nhan, one of the only monastics in the Plum Village tradition of Mexican descent, is a monk of many interests: music, mushrooms, math, and more. "To join a community that maybe looks different, maybe don't see others like myself in it, let's say. Yeah, I mean, that's one way to look at it, but look at it as also, you're the one entering that. And you needn't be the last one either." 1:54 Introduction to Spirituality 14:38 Dropping Out of College 20:33 Arriving at Deer Park 22:11 Depression 31:09 Practice, Study, Play, and Rest 36:32 Being a Mexican Buddhist Monk 40:14 Advice for Those Considering Monastic Life Source The Kalama Sutra You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. The "Meet the Monastics" podcast from Deer Park Monastery, hosted by Brother Minh An, features weekly conversations with monastics about their journeys and inspirations. In this episode, he interviews Brother Minh Nhan, also known as Brother Kindness, who shares his unique story as one of the few monastics of Mexican descent in the Plum Village tradition. Brother Minh Nhan's journey began with an interest in spirituality during high school, sparked by reading Siddhartha and the Kalama Sutta, which encouraged him to explore and trust his own experiences. He also found unexpected spiritual mentors through a yoga class he joined, thinking it was a pottery course. His college path led him to advanced studies in mathematics, but he eventually left academia, seeking a life of greater purpose and spiritual practice. This pivotal decision was influenced by his deepening mindfulness practice, which had provided stability during challenging times. Choosing monastic life allowed him to align his values with his desire to benefit others, realizing that spiritual practice could offer lasting peace and service to those around him. His reflections highlight the importance of play and simplicity in daily life, helping balance the rigorous study and introspection of monastic training. Brother Minh Nhan is committed to the practice and hopes one day to share Buddhism with the Mexican community, while continuing to grow in the Plum Village tradition. The episode encourages others to explore monastic life, emphasizing that a diverse community can be enriched by newcomers.

It's Meet the Monastics! Brother Phap Dung is a Vietnamese refugee who worked as an architect in Los Angeles before finding the practice, healing his relationship with his father, and changing the course of his life. "Now you get to choose, and it's deliberate. That is a monk. I choose to be in this intimate way with the community, with this path. I choose not to be in a romantic relationship. I choose to have real relationships with people I come across with. It's always a constant choice." 2:35 Meeting Thay and the Sangha 9:51 Joining the Buddhist "Enterprise" 14:40 Signs 19:28 Transformation 31:36 Advice for Potential Monastics 36:11 Love for Monastic Life 44:00 Engaged Buddhism You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. In this episode of Meet the Monastics, Brother Minh An interviews Brother Phap Dung, also known as Brother Fabian or Brother Embrace. They explore Brother Phap Dung's journey from an architect in Los Angeles to becoming a monastic in the Plum Village tradition. Reflecting on his early experiences, Brother Phap Dung recalls his initial curiosity about Buddhism, sparked by a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). His journey to monastic life was marked by a deepening commitment to mindfulness practice, inspired by the peaceful yet vibrant presence of young monks and nuns. Brother Phap Dung shares memorable moments with Thay, who once invited him to join the "Buddhist enterprise," a phrase that would later resonate deeply with him. He speaks of the transformative insights he experienced through meditation, such as the ability to observe his thoughts without reacting. Over time, he shed attachments to his former identity, transitioning from societal expectations to a life of mindfulness and community service. The interview also delves into Brother Phap Dung's commitment to engaged Buddhism, particularly in addressing the climate crisis. He reflects on his presence at international conferences like COP26 as an opportunity to bring peace, deep listening, and loving speech into critical dialogues on environmental issues. Inspired by Thay's compassionate approach, Brother Phap Dung emphasizes the importance of connecting with others' humanity, even in challenging global discussions. Through his ongoing dedication to both personal and collective transformation, he aspires to live a life that inspires others to touch peace and mindfulness in their own lives.

Sister Kinh Nghiem, one of the funniest and most stylish nuns in the world, was ordained when she was only 14. "Get rid of all of your ideas of what monastic practice is. You know, you come here, I mean, the practice is wonderful. And it's for you to come and see for yourself. But if you start getting ideas of what you expect monastic life to be like, you'll have a hard time. Because there's two sides to the coin, if you want to say it, you know? Sometimes the sisters have some expectation, and then you and yourself have some expectation. "Oh, I thought this was a Buddhist community. I think we're supposed to practice loving kindness and compassion and help, and everybody's so mean." You know, I mean, honestly, if you let go of the ideas and just focus on your bodhichitta, focus on what you want. And those other things of how people say things to you, which is sort of like, be a minor, it's not important." You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. AI Summary This podcast episode from Deer Park Monastery's Meet the Monastics features Brother Minh An interviewing Sister Kinh Nghiem, a long-time monastic who was ordained at the age of 14. The episode highlights Sister Kinh Nghiem's journey to monastic life, sharing stories from her childhood, growing up with a deeply Buddhist mother and a non-practicing Catholic father. Sister Kinh Nghiem's mother was a devoted follower of Thich Nhat Hanh, influencing Sister Kinh Nghiem's early exposure to Buddhism, despite her initial disinterest. At 14, Sister Kinh Nghiem attended a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh, and though she had no deep understanding of Buddhism or meditation at the time, his teachings resonated with her, especially on impermanence, suffering, and happiness. She experienced a personal awakening, realizing that she wanted to share these teachings with her peers and help others navigate life's challenges. Sister Kinh Nghiem reflects on her decision to become a monastic, noting how it wasn't initially about finding peace within herself but about helping her friends. She also shares how her parents reacted to her decision, with her mother ultimately allowing her to make the choice herself. Within weeks of attending the retreat, Sister Kinh Nghiem traveled to Plum Village in France, where she was ordained. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of letting go of preconceived ideas about monastic life. She explains that the path of a monastic is not about conforming to rigid expectations, but about staying true to one's intentions and practice, regardless of external challenges or judgments. For her, it was essential to maintain her individuality while also harmonizing with the monastic community. The episode closes with advice to those considering monastic life: approach it with an open mind, free from expectations, and be ready to face the personal responsibility it entails.

A Dharma talk with Br. Man Tue from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall at Deer Park Monastery during our Day of Mindfulness, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Our theme is how to stop, rest, and heal.

From our series of questions and responses on March 26, 2023 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation, we heard this question. When moments of personal suffering take over and have a combustable quality, what advice do you have for a person experiencing this? Or someone who is helping that person? Our response is offered by Sister Phu Nghiem.

From our series of questions and responses on March 26, 2023 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation, we heard this question. How can I let go of attachment to worldly love? Our response is offered by Sister Huong Nghiem.

On March 26, 2023 we held a session of Questions and Answers during our weekly Day of Mindfulness. Rather than release the entire session as one recording, we are offering question and response one at a time. This is the first question. How can we work with, in our practice, racial bias and cultural insensitivity? The response was offered by Brother Phap Dung.

This is the English translation of the Dharma talk originally offered in Vietnamese by Thích Phước Tịnh. Translation provided by Sr. Dang Nghiem.

The Dharma talk is in English from Sister Kinh Nghiem during our Day of Mindfulness on February 19, 2023 from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall.

Dear friends, This is the English translation of a Dharma talk offered by Sr. Uyển Nghiêm at the close of the lunar new year. The talk occurred in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall with several hundred people present for the new year celebrations. During the talk, she uses poetry to explore the dharma plus a song is shared with those present. Please enjoy. The translation is offered by Br. Minh Dia.