The monk lives like a lotus flower

15 years ago, a young man born in the 80s from Ba Ria - Vung Tau chose the path of becoming a monk. The monk chose the Venerable Thich Phuoc Duc, a virtuous monk from Dong Thap , as his Master. The ordination ceremony took place at Hung Thien Pagoda (in Cao Lanh District) in an emotional way. Since then, he has been given the Dharma name Thich Duc Minh.

Previously, when he was a Thien Dong Buddhist, monk Thich Duc Minh did social work with many activities that were good for life and religion. At that time, he was the leader of the charity group Buoc Chan Yeu Thuong (HCMC), regularly organizing programs to give gifts, build houses, provide relief... And now, he is also the founder of An Vien Monastery - District 12, specializing in caring for orphans and Son Dai Minh Vien - Binh Chanh District, a place to examine and care for people with disabilities.

See the poor as relatives

Concern for the poor is the concern for humanity of Buddhists. According to Master Duc Minh, compassion in Buddhism is "giving joy and saving suffering", how to "give people more joy in the morning and help people reduce suffering in the evening".

Sư thầy sống như một đóa sen — *Master Thich Duc Minh gives gifts to students PHOTO: LUU DINH LONG*

Every step of the group Steps of Love brings joy and benefits to people. After becoming a monk, Master Thich Duc Minh continued to maintain and develop the group's existing activities, from cheap student meals to many periodic gift giving programs during each major Buddhist festival... Not only supporting delicious, filling, and cheap meals, he also sponsored many students in difficult circumstances to have the opportunity to go to school. Many causes and conditions thus came together in Master Thich Duc Minh's wish to help life, and An Vien Buddhist monastery was born. He became a teacher and a "father" of many children, supporting both materially and spiritually so that his children could confidently enter life. The teacher's wishes were always directed towards his children and those who were more disadvantaged. Thus, he carried out one activity after another. “Seeing others suffer, I feel compassion and cannot ignore them, so I think of ways to share. Especially when I have had the opportunity to interact with people with disabilities since 2015, listening and understanding their circumstances, living conditions, and psychology, I really need my support. From then on, I thought of creating legs for people with disabilities to move by sponsoring wheelchairs,” said Mr. Duc Minh. After the first wheelchairs were given, he made connections with people who shared the same wish and also made connections with people with disabilities. Year after year, month after month, the monk tirelessly devoted himself to only one truth: there are still so many people out there suffering, it cannot be stopped.

“Reviving” wheelchairs for the disabled

15 years of a journey. That is the period since 2009, when he focused on social work. That period of time is not too long but it is enough to look back. Surely many people will be surprised and admire the charity path, which is not always smooth and favorable for Master Thich Duc Minh. There were times of bumpy, adverse circumstances, but with love leading the way, he gradually overcame, with the protection and support of philanthropists everywhere... Those are the people who followed, trusted and sent money, spiritual support for the good-hearted master to continue to devote himself to practicing religion and helping people. At first, he campaigned to buy new wheelchairs (1,350,000 VND/chair), but many times the budget was too much, he thought of buying old ones, restoring them and giving them away. Each old bicycle costs from 200,000 to 300,000 VND and is brought back to An Vien Monastery to be repaired, restored, and given away or sent by post to the patient's home. "They were very happy to receive the bicycle, they shouted, thanks to the teacher, I have 'legs' to walk and make a living, which made me very touched", Venerable Thich Duc Minh said. Just like that, the teacher has donated nearly 1,000 wheelchairs each year, the total number of donated bicycles to date is over 10,000. "For me, the joy is not how many wheelchairs I donate but how many happy smiles I receive from the disabled", Venerable Duc Minh expressed. Talking about his long journey with so many charity programs, it is impossible to count how many people have been helped by the teacher's compassionate hands, he always has deep gratitude to those who have accompanied him through each period. There are many people who have been with him for more than 10 years, some for 15 years, still following, directly or indirectly, with him to bring Loving Steps to all corners. Every year, summarizing the programs implemented, the amount of several billion VND is converted, added up from the smallest gifts or wheelchairs - means to help people with disabilities earn a living, move conveniently, the teacher is happy because those are real, transparent help. The teacher's heart is always enthusiastic even though sometimes his health is not good, so he will continue his volunteer activities with the models he has implemented, especially for people with disabilities - "they are the weak in society who need everyone's help". According to him, sometimes we are healthy and whole but still encounter countless difficulties in life and work, let alone people with disabilities. Teacher Duc Minh believes that doing social work is his lifelong vow, whether at home or in the form of a monk. Therefore, in the next 15 years, the footsteps of the brown-robed monk Thich Duc Minh will carry the provisions of boundless love, nurtured by the compassion and wisdom of a Buddhist disciple. One thing is certain, he will sow more seeds of goodness, to those who are suffering and have affinity on the path of practicing altruistic vows. It is not an exaggeration when Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Gia Hien - a teacher of psychology, called monk Thich Duc Minh a devoted person, living like a lotus, spreading the fragrance of compassion to reduce suffering in life.