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Mentor-Mentee Harmony and a Global Buddhist Ethic for the New Lotus Season
During the Indian tour Thay clarified that under the Vinaya the Bhikshuni Council has the final vote and every bhikshuni—even newly ordained—has one vote. To remedy the lack of experience he recommends strengthening the mentor–mentee system so that mentees learn from their mentors’ wisdom and align their votes without formal coercion. This is done through informal, extracurricular times together—three, four, five or even ten minutes of tea after meals, mindful walking, small working groups—so that by the time of the formal meeting mentor and mentee “already agree with each other.” A core “block” of three or four brothers or sisters united in harmony, joy and insight can naturally draw the rest of the Sangha into consensus without back-room deals.
For the coming Winter Retreat and beyond Thay proposes developing “Buddhist elements for a global ethic,” exploring deeply the precepts (Pātimokkha, Five and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings) and especially non-attachment to views—perhaps expanding to six mindfulness trainings—to offer a non-sectarian moral framework for today’s world. Plans include a three-month retreat followed by a twenty-one-day international retreat in English, and naming the next great ordination “Mùa sen mới” (Tăng liên quý), the New Lotus Season, to celebrate the many young monastics.
To be a good Dharma teacher requires three concrete qualities:
- The power to release anger and craving (Đoạn Đức)
- The power of insight to understand and help undo difficulties (Trí Đức)
- The power to forgive, love and patiently allow disciples time and space to grow
