Even when the Buddha was alive, he determined the importance of education. The Buddha frequently declared his realization and introduced the pure life to all sentient beings. After the first sixty monk disciples attained Arhatship, he advised them as follows.
The Buddha taught his disciples: “O Bhikkhus! . . . go on the road for the benefit of many, for the happiness of the majority, for the sake of being close to the world, for the sake and the happiness of heaven and people, but don't go two people in the same direction, one by one, spread the Dharma . . . Raise the banner of the wise, teach the noble teaching, bring goodness to other people; yes, you have completed the task.”[1]
Aware of this, Venerable Bhikkhuni Giới Hương did not mind overcoming difficulties, hardships, and challenges to give hearty guidance to the following generations. Forty years of practice, nearly thirty years abroad, ten years in India and sixteen years of studying in the US—for what? In order to receive knowledge and train in moral precepts to benefit life and religion. You always taught, "To convert others, we must first have the ability, and then wisdom." Although you have only taught us for two semesters, we deeply sense your values, effort, sincerity, and endless sacrifices for the cause of "planting seeds in people."
You not only gave us Buddhist knowledge but also shared your life experience and guided us on the right path for the sake of our well-being. Teacher, a silent ferrywoman, gives much to us without expecting us to "repay" and "return." You only hope is to equip us with a small piece of spiritual luggage to help us firmly enter life and successfully fulfill the mission of a disciple "taking the Tathagata’s duty, engaging in Tathagata’s works." It helps to exalt the Dharma and brings wonderful methods to everyone who can eliminate suffering.
On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of your study and teaching, we have the opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to you, our second mother. Your meaningful guidance is like rain dispelling the summer heat, like the spring sunshine ending the winter cold, opening our eyes to a new horizon of Dharma practices, so that we can use our bodies and speech to solemnly adorn the Dharma-kaya and become noble exemplars for human beings. Thank you, Teacher, for reminding us to return to our own original vow. Thank you, Teacher, for bringing us fresh knowledge and valuable mental tools. We now know the responsibilities and duties needed to act on our mission.
By the way, as young students, we sometimes let our mind drift and did not pay attention to the words of the masters and benefactors; today, let us repent. We will try our best and take advantage of the blessings while staying at the dormitory of Vietnam Buddhist University in order to learn and take wisdom as the main objective to adorn ourselves. We hope that one day, we will help you in the work of public teaching and bringing Buddhism into life.
We are indebted to you—a silent boatwoman!
May you always be peaceful, have good health, and live in the protection and glory of the Buddhas in the ten directions. We wish for you always to be full of mind-wisdom-strength so that you can continue to contribute more to this great educational cause and we can follow you with our practice and studies, up to great heights. At the end, we offer Master four simple, sincere sentences:
A disciple of Tathagata preaches as a messenger
A female master is outstanding in the world
Giới (Precepts) are pure and the mind is noble
Hương (Fragrance) of the lotus spreads far to convert beings.
Respectfully offered to Venerable Thích Nữ Giới Hương.
Vietnam Buddhist University, December 9, 2019
Best regards,
Nun Student Hạnh Liên
Course 13, The Art of Speech and Presentation
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[1] Mahāvagga—Vinaya Pitaka, Chapter: Important Things, second part, paragraph 32. Translated into Vietnamese by Indacanda Nguyệt Thiên. Retranslated into English by Bhikkhuni Giới Hương.
http://www.budsas.org/uni/u-luat-daipham/dp-00.htm.
Venerable TN Giới Hương and Rev. Hạnh Liên
in class on December 3, 2019
Please read all articles and view all photos: 5.23._A_Silent_Boat_Woman_-_Bhikkhuni_Hanh_Lien.pdf
