Journey of 'sowing' kindness

The abbot of Cam Phong pagoda sent his thanks to the benefactors who care for and nurture the elderly and children.

Warming the unfortunate

In Tay Ninh , when mentioning Cam Phong Pagoda (Thanh Duc Commune), perhaps everyone knows, not because the pagoda has a long history but also because there is an abbot who has devoted his whole life to taking care of unfortunate lives. That abbot is Venerable Thich Dinh Tanh (real name is Le Minh Duc). At the age of 15, he became a monk, taking refuge in Buddha. That was also when the young monk Le Minh Duc understood more deeply the two words "compassion". Since then, he has always been concerned about unfortunate lives. In order to be able to help in some way, he asked to work at companies and factories. The money he earned, he did not worry about himself but gave back to the difficult circumstances around him.

In 1992, when the Provincial Buddhist Sangha brought him to be the abbot of Cam Phong Pagoda, monk Thich Dinh Tanh started building a house for the destitute and lonely. “I personally bought each pillar and plank to build a house next to the Vam Co Dong River, providing a place for 50 homeless and unaccompanied people to live. With one hand, I carried paralyzed people, changed diapers, and fed milk to abandoned newborn babies. At that time, I was young, so I did all kinds of work all day without feeling tired,” monk Thich Dinh Tanh recalled.

At this time, the responsibility became heavier, to have money to manage the "big family", the teacher had to do many things at the same time. At night, he stayed up to cook vegetarian food so that in the morning he could go to the markets to sell, then to Ho Chi Minh City, Cau Muoi wholesale market area to peel garlic and onions to earn money. The compassion of the true monk touched other kind hearts. Gradually, the traders of Cau Muoi market, Cau Ong Lanh market, people in the surrounding area... supported him with a little money each month to take care of the elderly and children. Then the story of the teacher's compassion became known to many other kind-hearted people. The number of unfortunate and unlucky people that the teacher helped also increased day by day.

The adopted children of Venerable Thich Dinh Tanh

In 2016, to have a large enough place to live for the elderly and children here, monk Thich Dinh Tanh started to build Mai Am May Ngan on an area of 4 hectares. This place is raising and caring for more than 200 orphans and lonely elderly people with no place to live. For the children, monk Thich Dinh Tanh made birth certificates and provided education according to each child's ability. Until now, he still cannot remember exactly how many orphans he has registered.

“I have named more than 100 children. My name is Le Minh Duc, you will take the surname Le Minh and the given name. Two years ago, I organized a wedding for a child. I told the child who got married to take care of the wedding gold, and I would give money for the party. Many of them grew up, found jobs, and took care of their families. Although they are not rich, I am very happy that the children are living well,” said teacher Thich Dinh Tanh.

Wholeheartedly for difficult circumstances

“In the face of difficult circumstances, as a businesswoman, I want to share part of my luck to join hands with the locality to carry out social security work well in accordance with the spirit of the State's call to "leave no one behind". That is the sentiment of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang - owner of Vinh Phuc - Hai Trang lottery agency in Long Hoa ward.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang (left) always accompanies the local government in many social security activities.

When it comes to volunteering, Trang doesn't remember when she started because she has always quietly helped and shared with everyone. Whenever someone is in trouble and has information, she helps. To help people in the simplest and most regular way, Trang often organizes rice and necessities distribution sessions right at home. Each gift will have 10kg of rice, sugar, salt, MSG, etc. The first gifts were given to lottery ticket sellers. Just like that, the news spread, whoever needed it, she gave it to. Each person has a different situation but most of them are difficult and lonely.

“I just let everyone know, whoever needs it will come and I will give it to them” - she said. Up to now, she can’t remember how many times she has given it, to how many situations. She only knows that with each gift she gives, she feels happier because she has shared a part of the daily burden of food and clothing with those in need.

Ms. Trang also gives special priority to supporting education. Every new school year, she always supports the locality and schools with notebooks. In the 2024-2025 school year alone, she supported more than 1,000 notebooks to give to children. She also supported facilities for schools such as sound systems for Nguyen Dinh Chieu Primary School, and scholarships for children in Hoa Thanh Ward (Long Hoa Ward)... Ms. Trang is also willing to support those in difficult circumstances.

“Once, when I heard that a family’s house had burned down, I went there and couldn’t hold back my tears at the sight of devastation and chaos. I supported the homeowner with 5 million VND to cover the purchase of necessary items for the time being,” Trang shared.

Ms. Trang has also participated in the Grain of Gratitude program organized by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Long Hoa ward for nearly 4 years now. Every month, she periodically sends 150kg of rice to the locality to bring to households in difficult circumstances. She has supported 100 million VND without interest for disadvantaged women who have made mistakes from 2022 to present; supported the locality to carry out social security work in sister communes such as building Great Unity houses in An Co commune, giving gifts to poor people in the former border commune.

“Compared to many people, my contributions to social security are not much, but I always try my best to help the government take care of people in difficulty. In the future, I will continue to join hands with the community to do a good job of taking care of the poor as well as creating jobs for local workers,” Trang shared.

With her contributions, in 2023, Ms. Trang received a Certificate of Merit from the People's Committee of Tay Ninh province for her outstanding achievements in mass mobilization work in 2023; achieved the title of "Outstanding Woman" in 2024 from the Provincial Women's Union and above all, the love of many people.

Volunteer activities not only help people in difficult circumstances overcome adversity but also spread humanistic values in society, making life increasingly warmer and more beautiful./.

Khai Tuong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/hanh-trinh-gieo-mam-tu-te-a203913.html