A journey dedicated to Thich Nhat Hanh
I have come to be with you,
to weep with you
for our ravaged land
and broken lives…
[From Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem – “Experience”]
60 years ago, the great flood of November 1964 in central Vietnam swept away homes and took thousands of lives. Victims in the conflict zones were the most vulnerable because no one dared to bring them aid. Thay, Brother Nhat Tri and Phuong (today Sister Chan Khong) organized boats and went up the Thu Bon river between the lines of fire to distribute aid in the Đức Dục area of Quảng Nam Province.
Today, in dedication to Thay, Sister Chan Khong and the Plum Village sangha travelled upstream along the same river, made offerings of food to 800 poor farmers from a 16km radius, and released fish in captivity.
“The river looks almost the same. But the year we came, there were hundreds of dead bodies swept up the river bank near Trung Phuoc village.
We smelled the rotten flesh and saw pieces of hair and skin on trees. It was so painful to see.”
~ Sr. Chan Khong.
[Photo: Thu Bon river by Trung Phuoc village]
On this high place by the Thu Bon River,
I cut my finger
and watch the blood drip
and mix with the water.
O be at rest,
you who are lost.
O be at peace!
[From Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem – “Experience”]
“We pray that every drop of water becomes the nectar of compassion. May there be forgiveness and letting go in the hearts of everyone.“
~ Sister Chan Khong
[Photo: Chanting “Namo Bodhisattva Avalokita]
Each tiny bodhisattva,
with bowed head and hidden tears,
student’s ink still on her hands,
holds a shovel or a mattock
and throws up earth for a bridge
or for burying the bloated dead.
[From Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem – “Experience”]
“There are deep causes and conditions that have brought us all here today. This offering is not just material, but carries also the hope and love of many generations. Please continue to share this love.”
~ Sr. Chan Khong
[Photo: Offering food at Kim Son Temple]
Tonight
I’ve come to stand midway
between these sheer mountains,
and to watch them bend over the river,
and to listen
to their eternal tales.
Here is the impermanent and yet continuously flowing world.
Let us stand together for future generations.
[From Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem – “Experience”]
