Giới (Precepts) decorate the nun’s body and mind to honor Sakyamuni Buddha’s daughters.
Hương (Fragrance) transmits the sacred, pure light flourishing in the Buddhist Sangha.
Venerable Thích Nữ Giới Hương is a talented one in the nuns’ Sangha in the United States as well as in Vietnam. I was predestined to know her when I studied in India (2004). One year after meeting her, she left India because she had completed the PhD program in Buddhist philosophy and traveled to the United States to share the Dharma. Although the time was very short for us, I know she is a talented nun, harmonious and energetic. She studied, wrote articles, and composed books at the same time since she was in India. When I went to India, for the first time, I was given the three-volume Ban Mai Xứ Ấn (Dawn in India), written by her. I really commend her because often students studying abroad are very stressed, dealing with assignments, exams, and finding materials for their writing, so they have no mind for other works. Yet, she is remarkable beyond her studies; she took advantage of her time to write a great deal. . . So admirable she is!
When I came and settled down in America, I met her again. Her active manner seems to have increased even more. With the abbess’s duties, taking care of Buddhist works, converting nun disciples, joining Californian programs, writing books, translating scriptures, and going to lectures in prisons, hospitals, and so forth. . . Not only in foreign countries, she also teaches at Vietnam Buddhist University and preaches the Dharma at many pagodas in her native Vietnam. Although she bears a female body, her will is as strong and firm as a man’s. Her limbs are soft and weak, but because of the Buddha Dharma and for the sake of sentient beings, she has overcome the weakness "ordinary women" often have and has committed to a life with the spirit of a Bodhisattva dedicated to the life and Dharma. This is what our nuns should learn and follow.
More particularly, she is a person who lives very close to and in harmony with people, particularly with junior nuns. She is very enthusiastic to help, sharing when juniors need her hands. As for the meaning of what the Buddha taught, she does not distinguish between sects, country, skin color, relatives, etc. . . For the sake of life, for religion where needed, she is enthusiastically involved and contributes. I have a predestined relationship with her and have always worked with her. Whenever there is a need, I ask her, and she never refuses, always ready to share and asssist enthusiastically. I think that the present era really needs people who are smart, virtuous, and sincere like her.
It's hard to talk or write about her. I just admire her, learn from her, and follow her example.
I wish her all the best, as a constant shining star in the sky of the nuns’ Sangha, contributing many benefits to the Buddha Dharma, sentient beings overseas, as well as the homeland of Vietnam.
Los Angeles, Diệu Pháp Temple, December 22, 2019
Genuinely,
Sister in Dharma, Venerable Bhikkhuni Minh Huệ
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Ven. Minh Huệ (third from right)
with Ven. Giới Hương and all of the nuns of Hương Sen
on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday 2019 at Diệu Pháp Pagoda
Please read all articles and view all photos:3.21._A_Shining_Star_-_Ven_Minh_Hue.pdf
