Buddhist Nun Thich Nu Nhut Thanh: From a liaison to the initiator of many charity programs

On the afternoon of May 7, Vinh Xuong Pagoda (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) distributed 200 gifts, each containing 10kg of rice and necessities to people in difficult circumstances. Venerable Thich Nu Nhut Thanh, Abbot of Vinh Xuong Pagoda, said that this has been one of the pagoda's regular volunteer activities for many years.

As a former liaison for the 316th Special Forces Brigade under the Regional General Staff (B2), and having had a connection with Buddhism since childhood, Buddhist nun Thich Nu Nhut Thanh initiated and ran many charity programs.

In 2020, Buddhist nun Thich Nu Nhut Thanh and the District 3 Veterans Association organized a donation of nearly 1 billion VND to help people in the central region facing difficulties due to storms and floods; mobilized the digging of 13 fresh water wells for people in the western region facing drought. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the nun and Buddhists supported people with more than 3 tons of rice, 12,000 meals, 6,000 kg of vegetables and fruits, cooked tens of thousands of free meals to bring to quarantine areas...

In recent years, many people in difficult circumstances have become very familiar with the address 179 Tran Van Dang (District 3) when every morning, nun Thich Nu Nhut Thanh and Buddhists regularly organize "0 VND breakfast" with about 200 servings of nutritious porridge.

Along with that, the nun regularly organizes the delivery of "Sharing love" meals to unfortunate patients at Binh Dan Hospital, People's Hospital 115, Heart Institute, Oncology Hospital, Gia Dinh People's Hospital... The nun also coordinates with local authorities to implement models of "Religious establishments associated with poor and near-poor households" - "Month of rice of love"; "Religious establishments participating in environmental protection, combating climate change"; "Bundles of love vegetables"; "Zero-dong green water shop". The pagoda is also a place to receive free remains of unfortunate people who have passed away in difficult circumstances and organize prayers for the dead; encourage Buddhists not to scatter votive paper money while holding funerals for relatives; organize catechism classes at the pagoda, helping Buddhists live a good life, follow the religion...

At the age of 65, with a kind heart and humble demeanor, nun Nhut Thanh always follows her vow to educate sentient beings, worrying and understanding, sympathizing with the less fortunate.

Along with helping people in difficult circumstances with food, many Buddhist establishments also raise orphans, organize charity classes, build charity houses, build rural transport infrastructure, and give scholarships to encourage learning...

Venerable Thich Tri Luc, abbot of Giac Tanh Pagoda (Ward 8, Tan Binh District) said that over the years, the pagoda, together with Buddhists and philanthropists, have built many houses of gratitude for the people, on average building about 5-6 houses each year, some years building more than ten houses. "On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, National Reunification and the celebration of Buddha's Birthday 2569, the pagoda handed over 3 houses to people in difficult circumstances in Tien Giang, Long An, Kien Giang", Venerable Thich Tri Luc shared.

According to the representative of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tan Binh District, Venerable Thich Tri Luc is not only a devoted abbot in religious practice, but also a shining example in charity work, spreading compassion and the spirit of sharing in society. Implementing the model "Each religious establishment is associated with a caring address", the Venerable has mobilized philanthropists and Buddhists to receive and support care of 1 million VND per month for a family of seriously wounded soldiers.

In addition, every month, the Venerable also maintains the "Tu Tam Kitchen" activity, providing meals for people in difficult circumstances in Ward 8 and neighboring areas. Every year, the Venerable gives many scholarships to poor students who overcome difficulties and achieve high academic results. The pagoda also adopts a number of orphaned children in difficult circumstances.

The monk said that before, the temple had 10 children, but now some have gone to military service, some have returned to their families, so now there are 5 children left, one of whom was abandoned by his family when he was only 3 weeks old, and another when he was 1.5 months old.

Thanks to the volunteer activities in recent years, many Buddhists have known and wanted to join hands and contribute to the temple to carry out social security activities.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ni-su-thich-nu-nhut-thanh-tu-co-giao-lien-toi-nguoi-khoi-xuong-nhieu-chuong-trinh-tu-thien-post878667.html