Nguyen Sieu - Introduction for Tuệ Sỹ - A teacher of the Venerable Sanghas
Mr. Tâm Thường Định approached me on the day of the Buddhist Youth Association Congress and asked for an introduction to his book, "Tue Sy - A Teacher of Venerable Sanghas."
This work comprises two articles written by Zen Master Tuệ Sỹ. The first article is titled "Letter To Thừa Thiên–Huế's Buddhist Students," but the reader will clearly see what the Venerable Master meant to convey to the entire generation of young monks and nuns living in Vietnam and abroad: "...is covered by puddles of stagnant muddy water and isolated from the source of life of the past." Since then, Thay has firmly advised: "May you have enough courage to walk the path with your own feet, looking at life with your own eyes and determine a direction for yourself."
Reading the content of this article, readers will feel like it is a benevolent wake-up call for monks and nuns living in their motherland today. Like a lion's roar, which deafens and pains wild animals, and as a word to "rebuke them," which tortures the befuddled souls immersed in the sea of suffering.
The second article is titled "The Current Thinking About Buddhist Education Plans For Vietnamese Youth," and his thoughts and comments on the younger generations have awakened the souls of Vietnamese youth: “In Vietnam, the education of youth is based on political power rather than following a natural growth trend. This artificial difference is like living in a mud puddle, not knowing where to find a real place to gain enough footing to escape. Vietnamese youth are being uprooted, and face a great risk of losing their life direction; some have indeed already lost their life direction. The Buddhist youth in Vietnam are no exception, and it is not easy to overcome this loss of direction in life. Here, the emphasis on the loss of direction is from the standpoint of Vietnam as a nation.”
Master Tuệ Sỹ offered a vision of a method of studying Buddhism, or comprehensive education: "Our young people study Buddhism not to become researchers of Buddhism or Buddhist scholars, but to study and practice critical thinking skills, to be dynamic, flexible, and have the ability to look into the nature and reality of life. Therefore, studying Buddhism does not hinder learning of secular education; Buddhist knowledge does not conflict with mundane knowledge. The only difference is when studying Buddhism we begin with the actual situation of human suffering in order to realize true happiness. Compassion (love) and Wisdom (truth) will give young people the wings to support and nurture them throughout their search in the endless space of life." That is the educational psychology of Buddhism that Master Tue Sy has pointed out to the Buddhist youths today.
The second part is the poetry, written by Master Tuệ Sỹ. When we read Thay's writing, we are overwhelmed by words that are as strong as mountains, and as solid as bronze, sounding bright and resounding in the reader's mind. What can you say about his poetry? A dreamland is full of adventure, charm, and beauty. But no one can write like Master Tuệ Sỹ, thousands of years ago and thousands of years later; readers must try to understand, soaking in the meanings and nuance as they slowly read his words:
Because he enjoys wandering, therefore:
Furthermore, because of the "unique lonely journey to find the path" of the wanderer, who sleeps at night in the shrine of the soul and dreams:
Because Master Tuệ Sỹ dreamed a dream, he saw a beautiful dream, a dream for a peaceful ethnic homeland:
And followed by poems by Master Tuệ Sỹ through decades ago such as: Fleeting Glimpse of a Dream:
I'm Still Waiting - Saigon 78; Holder Of Thousands Of Stars, Phan Dang Luu Prison - Saigon 79, etc.
All of these poems can be found in the collection Dreaming Truong Son.
Mr. Tâm Thường Định wrote poems for Master Tuệ Sỹ in the third section, including Fairy Eyes, Thien Nhan - Dedicated to Teacher Tue Sy, Spring Missing Teacher Tue Sy, and others. The poem is the work's fourth and final component. Tâm Thường Địnhwrote "Mat Biec in Tue Sy Poetry" in order to discover the metaphorical meaning of the word "Mat Biec" in the poem "Fleeting Glimpse of a Dream."
All of Mr. Tâm Thường Định's poems and essays, whether translated or written in English, are intended to spread positive messages to both young people and natives. We can see his service heart as a leader of the Vietnamese Buddhist family, always thoughtful and diligent in serving the path of youth education while also promoting Buddhist culture.
"The Teacher of Venerable Sanghas" is under a big theme: "Tuệ Sỹ - An Essence of Vietnamese Buddhism" has brought readers to a sad, miserable, misguided, uprooted reality of today's generation that is lost in their own country, and it is necessary to correct on the comprehensive educational path of Buddhism (in Vietnam), hoping to revive what has been broken, far from its roots, ancestors, and races, and return to a rich and beautiful Vietnamese culture.
Just as Master Tuệ Sỹ's writing and poetry rhythms exposed readers to a new age brimming with love, compassion, joy, and equanimity under the cherished sky of the homeland, so too has Mr. Tam Thuong Dinh presented readers to a new generation brimming with affirmation, heroism, and poetry.
Mr. Tâm Thường Định appeared to have gathered all of the revenant, loving words to dedicate and make offerings to a revered teacher, whose heart appeared to be scattered and full of beauty, specifically in the work "The Teacher of Venerable Sanghas" -- communities that live in harmony and awareness.
No matter how much you discuss and introduce the book, it will never be as good as when you are actually reading, contemplating, and appreciating its rich, lyrical, and affectionate qualities. Similarly, individuals who consume hot and cold water perceive themselves in a similar manner.
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