Sharing the Dharma - Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the United States

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Now, with the publication of Sharing the Dharma - Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the United States, we find this is the first book that reflects quite fully on many different aspects and dimensions of the development of the Buddhist house in general and the Dharma sharing of the Vietnamese nuns in the United States in particular, since 1975.

We hope that readers find here the precious knowledge and experience for Buddhist works. As Hong Duc Publisher, we would like to introduce all readers, far and near, to this useful reference book.

Dr. Bhikkhuni Gioi Hong (world name Sunyata Pham) was born in 1963 in Binh Tuy, Vietnam and ordained at the age of fifteen under the great master, the Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Hai Trieu Am. In 1994, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Literature from Sai Gon University. She studied in India for ten years and in 2003, graduated with a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Delhi, India. In 2005, she settled down in the United States and in 2015, she earned a second Bachelor's Degree in Literature at the University of Riverside, California.

Currently, she is pursuing a degree in the Master of Arts Program at the University of California, Riverside and works as a lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCM City. She favors quietly reflecting on Dharma, and that leads her to write, as well as translate, Buddhist books and lyrics for music albums on her Bao Anh Lac Bookshelf.

In 2000, she established Huong Sen Temple, Binh Chanh, Sai Gon. Viet Nam. In 2010, she founded Huong Sen Temple in Perris, California, USA, where she serves as abbess.

The flow of life has continued and passed like a bird flying through the air without a trace, like a leaf falling in the autumn, like a mist melting in the early sunshine... but the presence of bird wings, a leaf, a dewdrop still radiate beauty, the scent of meaning in this fragile impermanent life.

The flow of nuns from the Budddha's time has existed, propagated and continued the Dharma through many generations. The collection of Sharing the Dharma- Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the United States records stories of the determination and courage of Vietnamese nuns in the United States in the twenty-first century. This book can serve as a handbook of religious experiences for future nuns. The collection begins with a foreword by the Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Nguyen Thanh, an introduction by the Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Giac Hurong. a preface from the compiler, Bhikkhun Gioi Huong and finally, the notes from Hong Duc Publishers who have encouraged, published and respectfully introduced this work in recognition of the process of practicing and sharing the Dharma of Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the United States of America.

For nearly three months, to prevent the spread of coronavirus, some areas were shut down, including Buddhist monasteries. Van Hanh Temple was closed and Buddhists were not allowed to join in activities. I and few my disciples in the monastery recited the Great Compassion Heart Mantra and the Universal Door of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva who listens to the suffering voices of the world.

During the recitation period, with the gentle image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva bent down to comfort and save sentient beings as my image, I decided to accept an invitation from Bhikkhuni Gioi Huong to write an introduction for the book, Vietnamese Nuns in the United States of America. I had a thought instantly that "Nuns are the daughters of Buddha; they are the messengers of love". They follow the example of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva practicing the four immeasurables of loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity to alleviate the pain of women experiencing uncertainty in life, and to ease the pain of the entire country. The contribution of nuns to the spiritual life of a community brings the truth of compassion and wisdom into human life.

**Contents and Sample Pages**