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Young People Need Continuation. Thay Tells the Story of the Boat People
We begin with Bodhicitta—the aspiration of those who have left home— the source of energy that nourishes and guides us toward realizing the vocation of loving and building. We practice through walking meditation, sitting meditation, eating in mindfulness, and Dharma discussions with the Buddha and teachers such as Sariputra, Ananda, and Gotami, so that we may see the Buddha as a living reality in every moment. When we uphold the precepts, body and mind are purified and calmed, and holiness reveals itself in every cell. Through mindful manners, contemplation, and mindfulness, our eyes open to impermanence, non-self, and suffering, so that we may see with the eyes of compassion; our hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mind gradually transform into the hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mind of the Buddha, imbued with wisdom and ethics, permeated with love and understanding.
In the history of the School of Youth for Social Service, the ideal of love and understanding was realized through engaged action during wartime:
- five young social workers were shot on the banks of the Saigon River; only one survived, yet still embraced the spirit of reconciliation, not taking sides;
- the grenade massacre at the School of Social Service, where two people died and many were wounded, among them Huong, who carried hundreds of shrapnel fragments in her body;
- Nhat Chi Mai self-immolated at Tu Nghiem Temple to call for peace;
- relief efforts for nearly 10,000 refugees during the Tet Offensive, advocating for the relocation of anti-aircraft guns, organizing medical care, and nurturing four aspects: education, health, economy, and organization;
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in Paris, the establishment of the Peace Delegation, international advocacy to end the war, rescuing boat people at sea, sending medicine and rice, and sponsoring orphans.
These events bear witness to the true energy of love and understanding when nourished by Bodhicitta, the precepts, mindfulness, and the responsibility of engaged action.