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Commentary on Poetry 1
The “Aspiration to Dwell in Auspiciousness, Night of Auspiciousness” was chanted in English, and the name Avalokiteśvara was recited in Sanskrit, with the aspiration for a peaceful, healthy, and happy new year of the Wood Rooster, and good communication with loved ones. When reciting the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, we sit in relaxation so that the energy of mindfulness can embrace and transform the pains of the body and the sorrows of the mind; we remember our loved ones who are ill so that the collective energy can be sent to them. After fifteen minutes of chanting the Buddha’s name, the body feels healthy and the mind is at peace. The ceremony opened at Phap Van Temple, where Thay Phap designed the temple in 1964, which was once the base of the School of Youth for Social Service with its first training course in 1964, and the cradle of the Order of Interbeing—where the first six members received the Five Mindfulness Trainings, which has since developed into an international community present in over 30 countries with nearly 1,000 members and more than 1,000 sanghas around the world. This year, a delegation of 190 people from 18 countries returned to visit Thay.
Coexistence and religious harmony are demonstrated through the story of Pastor Robert Shibley in Houston and Father Thomas Quan in Hong Kong: both practiced “Being Peace,” received the Five Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing, and transmitted them to their communities. The School of Youth for Social Service—a nonviolent path without factions—endured much sacrifice and suffering: Sister Nhat Chi Mai self-immolated in 1967 to call for peace; Lien and Vui sacrificed their lives at the leaf hut temple, two others were wounded; eight young people led by Brother Thich Nhat Tri disappeared; five young people were shot on the bank of the Saigon River, with only one survivor. In 1968, the school became a refuge for more than 10,000 compatriots. The New Year’s aspiration is directed toward our common ancestors with two main vows: to live in harmony and joy within our family and sangha; to breathe, walk, speak, look, and listen with mindfulness, to live simply, consume little, and to love in the spirit of compassion.