On 1 November, a group of nine young people shed their hair to become novice monks and nuns in the Still Water Meditation Hall of the Dharma Cloud Temple (Plum Village, France), as witnessed by their families, friends, and the entire Plum Village community.
This “Myrtle Family” of three novice nuns and six novice monks have ancestral roots from many different countries: Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Vietnam, India, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.
They have committed themselves to be part of our beloved monastic community and to embark on the bodhisattva path of healing, transformation and service in order to fulfill their deepest aspirations.
Before their symbolic first lock of hair is cut, the water is consecrated with a blessing in order to encourage them on their bodhisattva path.
Holding the willow branch, sprinkling the nectar of compassion,
Destroying heat, cooling and refreshing the world of humans
By listening deeply and coming to help beings,
And by teaching the Dharma,
The Bodhisattva ends the suffering of all species.
The Bodhisattva's love and compassion are unshakable.
Their appearance manifests freedom and uprightness.
They respond wherever there is a need.
No appeal for their help fails to succeed.
Shedding my hair completely,
I make the great vow today
To transform all my afflictions,
and bring happiness to all beings.
During the ceremony, the new ordinees received their sanghati, the formal monastic ceremonial robe, from some of the most senior monastics in our community.
How wondrous is the robe of freedom!
It is the field of all good seeds.
I bow my head to receive it today
and to express my profound gratitude.
The new novices also received their Dharma name一reflecting their aspiration and the encouragement of the community for their path of practice. They belong to the 44th generation of the Linji lineage, and the 10th generation of the Lieu Quang Dharma line.
Their Dharma names, in the order of ordination are:
- Brother Chân Nhất Đệ 一弟 Brother True Siblinghood of Oneness
- Sister Chân Thệ Hạnh 誓行 Sister True Action of the Sacred Vow
- Brother Chân Nhất Túc 一足 Brother True Contentment of Oneness
- Brother Chân Nhất Tuyền 一泉 Brother True Spring Flow of Oneness
- Brother Chân Nhất Tùng 一松 Brother True Evergreen of Oneness
- Sister Chân Nhu Hạnh 柔行 Sister True Action of Gentleness
- Brother Chân Nhất Trừng 一證 Brother True Settling of Oneness
- Sister Chân Huệ Hạnh 慧行 Sister True Action of Understanding
- Brother Chân Nhất Kiên 一堅 Brother True Perseverance of Oneness
One novice nun, Sister Chân Nhiên Hạnh (Sister True Action of Peacefulness) also ordained as part of the Myrtle Family in Magnolia Grove Monastery in Mississippi, USA.
Celebrating our togetherness and sharing from the heart
I am the happiest I have ever been. I want to thank both of my mentors. I don’t even know how to express that. I am so happy. And I am so within myself. I just feel great. It’s really thanks to you and to everyone else in the community—all of the brothers. Thank you all so much. I don’t know how to even describe it. It’s just like a fullness that I feel thanks to all of you.
Brother Chân Nhất Kiên (True Perseverance of Oneness)
Lucie has tried so many different ways in her life and I have never seen her so happy. As my mother said, “she looks very light here.” I am so happy that she found her way here. It’s still difficult to understand everything here. So, I think I will come back here many times. I also want to talk about the way that you always listened to me and were always there for me in my difficult moments. So I know that you will share that with all the people who come here—this quality of understanding and helping them in every situation.
Sister of Sister Chân Nhu Hạnh – Sister True Action of Gentleness
I love you. I think you know that. There is a little story when I was young. He told me: “Jona, when you miss me, look in your hand, tap on it, and then you see me and feel me.” And I think I will remember that every time when I miss you. Enjoy your time. Enjoy Plum Village. Enjoy you. I love you.
Son of Brother Chân Nhất Đệ – Brother True Siblinghood of Oneness
Today felt to me very wonderful. I could actually really find peace. And at the same time, so much happening in my body, so many feelings. Also going to this day, all the things that were coming up in me and that were being lived through around saying goodbye to an old way of living, and to an old way of connecting maybe. And welcoming a new way. It has really been quite something.
Brother Chân Nhất Trừng (True Settling of Oneness)
There are so many things in my heart now. The most alive in my heart at the moment is pure gratitude. Gratitude for all people being here. When I was walking to the altar, I passed by different sisters and brothers. I could feel everyone that I was passing by and my heart was filled with so much love. Love because I could feel the love of all. Love because I feel so grateful for the connection and the relationship and the mutual aspiration to be here.
Sister Chân Thệ Hạnh (True Action of the Sacred Vow)
Johannes is the youngest of 4 children. He was a very nice little boy. But the family situation was not easy. Later he became a closed young man. He was also always searching. But what? It happened that he accidentally, or not, found a video of Thich Nhat Hanh and was fascinated. And I can see him here happy and free. He has found a new home.
Mother of Brother Chân Nhất Túc – Brother True Contentment of Oneness
Learn more
- Introduction to basic monastic training – “Stepping into Freedom“
- Becoming a monastic
Share with us your wishes for the new novices