Sister Sr. Trung Chinh left Vietnam as a refugee and has been a nun for over fifty years.
"The aspiration of a monk or a nun is that we have to arrive to the most peaceful place, the happiest place in ourselves. And there's only the daily practice. The daily practice only helps us to arrive to that place, that aspiration. It's the daily practice of each person. If each one of us do our best and lessen our hate, our love, our attachment, our anger, we let go of them day by day, then we can see we can love everybody."
This is an episode of the podcast Meet the Monastics by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, highlighting the story of Sister Trung Chinh, also known as Sister Abbess. Sister Abbess has been a monastic for over 50 years, ordained at 15 in Vietnam, and later joined Plum Village at the invitation of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). She eventually became one of the first monastics at Deer Park Monastery.
Her journey reveals her deep connection to the Buddhist path, beginning in childhood amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War. After escaping Vietnam and living in various countries, she remained devoted to monastic life, finding solace and depth in Plum Village teachings. She shares her aspiration to embody Thay’s teachings, practicing daily to cultivate peace, happiness, and love. She emphasizes the importance of community, gratitude for land ancestors, and integrating personal diligence with communal life.
Throughout the interview, Sister Abbess reflects on the simplicity and depth of practice, the wisdom of Thay, and her hope that younger generations will continue the path of mindfulness and liberation. The episode ends with a reminder of the interconnectedness of personal and collective practice, gratitude to teachers and ancestors, and the importance of preserving Thay’s legacy.
2:44 Discovering Spirituality and Ordination 7:35 Dreaming of the Buddha and Meeting Great Teachers 12:39 Appreciation for Plum Village 16:55 Overcoming Difficulties, Waking Early, Balancing Practice 22:57 Chanting, Pleasing the Land Ancestors 33:23 Aspiration
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