The Karmic Affinity within the Monastery

Life is a poetic blend of many colors and emotions, but in any relationship, we must learn to cherish the two words Karmic Affinity. For me, the most sacred and noble bond is the bond between teacher and student in the Buddhist tradition. Every emotional state, regardless of its positivity or difficulty, carries value and is worth holding and treasuring.  

 I am a young monk who has been blessed to ordain at Hoang Phap Monastery, where I have lived surrounded by the warm affection of my Master and the Sangha. Speaking of this, my heart grows quietly tender, and I feel how small I am, knowing how much my Master worries for young practitioners like us. While others may take pride in learning from an accomplished teacher on the lecture platform, I find my happiness in being held within the compassion and noble virtue of my Master.

 

At times, as I walk past my Master’s room and see him sitting quietly in thought, I realise that beyond the many responsibilities he carries, he is always considering how the Dharma may reach young people. I can sense that his heart is filled with faith in future generations, in the young shoots of our country. He sincerely hopes that young people will have more opportunities to return to the temple and practise according to the Buddha teachings. Seeing my Master’s constant efforts, I remind myself to learn from him and follow his example so that I can continue to grow and better myself. My Master has planted the seed of awakening in my heart, and it is now up to me to patiently care for and cultivate that seed, allowing it to grow stronger and more alive each day.

 

Sometimes I find myself wondering why my Master never thinks of himself. His brown robe is worn thin at the shoulders, and his sandals are gradually worn down through countless journeys of spreading the Dharma, yet he never replaces them. Only later did I come to realise that his heart no longer belongs to himself. It has been entirely given to all beings. Such greatness is beyond what my limited words can ever fully express.

 

My Master is my source of inspiration and the truest example for me to follow. Simply by looking into his eyes or hearing his voice, I am reminded to live well and practice the Dharma with sincerity. It is through these quiet, embodied teachings that he gently guides us each day.

 

So I began to follow his example, starting from the smallest things. On retreat days, I meet young people who come to visit the temple. I walk around the courtyard, strike up conversations with them, and invite them to explore the monastery. I guide them to take part in daily tasks such as helping with temple duties, preparing boxed meals, and sorting and washing vegetables.  As we work together, we share everyday stories and reflect on the teachings of the Buddha. Through these simple moments, many young people begin to feel a sense of joy and lightness in their hearts after the pressures of study and work. Because of this, they return to the temple on weekends to practise together, to share the same rhythm, and to bring joy to one another. When we prepare vegetables, we remind ourselves to do so with mindfulness and sincerity, knowing that each leaf will later be lovingly cooked by the monks into nourishing bowls of soup. In this way, a simple meal becomes a bridge that connects people with vegetarian food, inner peace, and the meaningful bonds formed through these shared conditions. Some young people come to the temple seeking a quiet and peaceful place to soften the struggles of comparison, competition, and resentment in everyday life. Through this, we are given many opportunities to practise together and to do meaningful work in service of the temple.

 

After spending time listening to the thoughts and concerns of these young people, I began organising the “Dharma carriage” program, which supports students who face transportation difficulties so they can attend retreats more easily and consistently.

 

One young person once talked to  me, “I feel truly happy. Before this, I often watched videos of the temple on YouTube and really wished I could visit Hoang Phap Monastery at least once, but I never had the chance. Thanks to the Dharma Carriage, I was finally able to gather enough good conditions to come to the temple, meet Venerable Chan Tinh in person, and learn so many meaningful things. Over time, I have even grown familiar with the journey that takes place every two months. Recently, when there was a ceremony for Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels, I returned to the temple to participate. It was from the connection formed through the Dharma Bus back then that I was able, today, to find my own root teacher.”

 

I know that my own understanding is still limited and that there have been times when my way of acting was not skilful, causing my Master sorrow and leaving my fellow brothers dissatisfied with some of my actions. I remember clearly that when the Dharma Bus first began its journey, it faced many obstacles. Yet I was deeply fortunate that my Master continued to trust me, and that the young people remained by my side. Praise and criticism both came my way, but together they have painted a beautiful picture of karmic connection in my heart.

 

 While my Master carries great aspirations, I hold only one small wish: that every young person who steps onto this bus may experience moments of stillness and peace through the Buddha’s teachings, and gather these moments as provisions for their journey through life. Education within the temple, and the opportunity to live and learn close to the monks, is a continuous stream of happiness, freely given without any expectation of repayment.

 

 I made a quiet promise to my Master: “I will do my best to keep learning and to follow your example. I will continue to train and refine by myself so that I may contribute, even in a small way, to helping others. I will put sincere effort into my daily life so that you may be at ease, and I will learn to listen more deeply.”

 

Today, while walking slowly around the temple courtyard, I reflected on this unusual and beautiful chain of conditions. Truly, without my Master, I do not know what I would be like today. Without the young people who share the same aspiration, I do not know whether what I have done could have been brought to completion. It feels as though it is this very vehicle of karmic conditions that has carried us together along one journey, one path, and toward the same destination.

 

Tam Tuan

Translated into English by Thai Nhuoc Don