Be A Bodhisattva!

BE A BODHISATTVA!

Bhikkhuni Hue Tran

Serendipitously, I ran across an old Local Newspaper at North Utica published on Aug, 2010.

            Right on the front page was a picture of a young Vietnamese Monk, clasped his hands in front the Avalokiteshvaraya Statue, one of the most well-respected and influential Buddhist Goddesses in the Buddhist Faith.

The tittle of the news article was “It’s been a long haul”, written by author Dan Miner of the Observer- Dispatch. This story was about a Buddha Statue having been lain down on the ground over the past four years, patiently waiting for the city’s permit to be installed.

Now, the long wait is over, a celebration of welcoming not just for Vietnamese Buddhists but for all Buddhists from the community attending Quan Am Tu Temple to honor the Statue.

Who is this young Monk in the picture? Why has he been chosen for this front page? What has he contributed for this Avalokiteshvaraya Statue? I wondered.

            When he came to Quan Am Tu Temple in June of 2010, he saw the Statue lying on the ground exposed to the sunlight and the rain, he was conflicted as of what to do next?

            So, every day he paid his respect by carefully polishing the Statue, bowing and praying to five hundred Buddhas to give him the strength and the will to install the Statue at its rightful place.

            Many Buddhists saw him kneel in front of the Statue unwavering, and that beautiful image motivated them to contribute their strength and power, not just money, to his goal.

Then, the magic happened.

After over four years of hindered, Quan Am Tu Temple finally got the permit to install the Avalokiteshvaraya Statue. Many Buddhists and supporters from many communities came to aid the young Monk in completing the beautiful job.

            But to everyone’s surprise, after everything has been done, the young Monk just peacefully and quietly departed, because he knew there was no place for him at the Temple anymore.

All the Buddhists and the community were upset about that!

            I still remembered that one day this young Monk suddenly appeared in front of the gate of Gotama Temple at Long Beach, California.

            Curiously after reading the story about the Monk, I pondered upon the reason why the Monk had left North Utica, a place where he had established and accomplished so much. So then why leave, I asked him one day.

            The Monk gleefully answered, “What needed to be accomplished has been fulfilled, to my heart’s content. The more we practice non-attachment, the happier we will be”

            I was so amazed! He is the symbol of Engaged Buddhism. Compassion is the ability to love unconditionally, demanding nothing in return. That is true beauty!

            The truthful Bhikkhus walk of freedom, sowing the seeds of liberation and enlightenment to bring peace and joy to others.

            One unknown author wrote “The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything”

            To me, the message from this young Bhikkhu is quite simple:

“Be a Bodhisattva!”        

            A Lotus for you. A Buddha to be.

            Namo Sakya Muni Buddha.

            Namo Avalokiteshvaraya.

Bhikkhuni Hue Tran

(Tao-Khe Tinh That)