Meet the Monastics

Deer Park Monastery
Meet the Monastics

Conversations with monks and nuns about their journey to monastic life and what inspires them today, hosted by Brother Minh An, a Buddhist monk in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

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  1. Sister Boi Nghiem: The Hard Work Has Been Done

    VOR 2 TAGEN

    Sister Boi Nghiem: The Hard Work Has Been Done

    Sister Boi Nghiem studied nursing before being ordained, and works regularly as a nun with the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and teen communities. "I think I have a very healthy relationship with myself. Very healthy mental dialogue with myself. There were times I comforted myself. There were times I'm very firm with myself, tell myself to stop thinking that way. And they help. This is why I kept on sharing the importance of self-love. Because by the end of the day, it is the self-love that helped me, that saved me, that keeps me going. Because if I continue to criticize myself or have excessive negative thoughts, I cannot do much. It's very tiring. So I think that is the reason why that helped me not to fall into burnout."" 3:07 Heartbreak, Visiting Green Mountain, Deer Park, and Plum Village 6:37 Novicehood at Plum Village  11:40 Magnolia Grove Monastery 25:00 Interest in Social Injustice 28:34 Teens 34:42 LGBTQIA+ 40:55 BIPOC 53:26 Burnout 1:07:07 Basic Practice 1:17:25 Advice for Potential Monastics You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. This episode of “Meet the Monastics,” hosted by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, shares insights into the lives and practices of monastics in the Plum Village tradition.  In this episode, he interviews Sister Boi Nghiem (Sister True Pearl), who joined monastic life in 2005 at age 21. Sister Boi Nghiem emphasizes the significance of self-love and healthy inner dialogue as key practices to maintain well-being and prevent burnout. She shares her journey from a childhood in central Vietnam to immigrating to the U.S. and eventually finding spiritual direction after a difficult breakup. Initially drawn to Plum Village for personal healing, she gradually committed to monastic life. Sister Boi Nghiem has devoted herself to supporting diverse groups, including the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and teen communities. Her advocacy grew from personal experiences and a deep awareness of societal suffering, leading her to foster inclusivity in the Sangha. Her practice of mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude is nurtured by regular breathing exercises, walking meditation, and the support of her monastic community. The episode also highlights the foundational role of the Plum Village Sangha and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in fostering a mindful, compassionate, and engaged monastic community.  Listen without the music track.

    1 Std. 27 Min.
  2. 29. OKT.

    Brother Phap Dung: Now You Get to Choose

    Brother Phap Dung is a Vietnamese refugee who worked as an architect in Los Angeles before finding the practice, healing his relationship with his father, and changing the course of his life. "Now you get to choose, and it's deliberate. That is a monk. I choose to be in this intimate way with the community, with this path. I choose not to be in a romantic relationship. I choose to have real relationships with people I come across with. It's always a constant choice. " 2:35 Meeting Thay and the Sangha 9:51 Joining the Buddhist "Enterprise" 14:40 Signs 19:28 Transformation 31:36 Advice for Potential Monastics 36:11 Love for Monastic Life 44:00 Engaged Buddhism You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. In this episode of Meet the Monastics, Brother Minh An interviews Brother Phap Dung, also known as Brother Fabian or Brother Embrace. They explore Brother Phap Dung’s journey from an architect in Los Angeles to becoming a monastic in the Plum Village tradition. Reflecting on his early experiences, Brother Phap Dung recalls his initial curiosity about Buddhism, sparked by a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). His journey to monastic life was marked by a deepening commitment to mindfulness practice, inspired by the peaceful yet vibrant presence of young monks and nuns. Brother Phap Dung shares memorable moments with Thay, who once invited him to join the “Buddhist enterprise,” a phrase that would later resonate deeply with him. He speaks of the transformative insights he experienced through meditation, such as the ability to observe his thoughts without reacting. Over time, he shed attachments to his former identity, transitioning from societal expectations to a life of mindfulness and community service. The interview also delves into Brother Phap Dung’s commitment to engaged Buddhism, particularly in addressing the climate crisis. He reflects on his presence at international conferences like COP26 as an opportunity to bring peace, deep listening, and loving speech into critical dialogues on environmental issues. Inspired by Thay’s compassionate approach, Brother Phap Dung emphasizes the importance of connecting with others’ humanity, even in challenging global discussions. Through his ongoing dedication to both personal and collective transformation, he aspires to live a life that inspires others to touch peace and mindfulness in their own lives.

    56 Min.
  3. Sister Kinh Nghiem: Run Away Now

    22. OKT.

    Sister Kinh Nghiem: Run Away Now

    Sister Kinh Nghiem, one of the funniest and most stylish nuns in the world, was ordained when she was only 14. "Get rid of all of your ideas of what monastic practice is. You know, you come here, I mean, the practice is wonderful. And it's for you to come and see for yourself. But if you start getting ideas of what you expect monastic life to be like, you'll have a hard time. Because there's two sides to the coin, if you want to say it, you know? Sometimes the sisters have some expectation, and then you and yourself have some expectation. "Oh, I thought this was a Buddhist community. I think we're supposed to practice loving kindness and compassion and help, and everybody's so mean." You know, I mean, honestly, if you let go of the ideas and just focus on your bodhichitta, focus on what you want. And those other things of how people say things to you, which is sort of like, be a minor, it's not important." You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.  AI Summary This podcast episode from Deer Park Monastery's Meet the Monastics features Brother Minh An interviewing Sister Kinh Nghiem, a long-time monastic who was ordained at the age of 14. The episode highlights Sister Kinh Nghiem’s journey to monastic life, sharing stories from her childhood, growing up with a deeply Buddhist mother and a non-practicing Catholic father. Sister Kinh Nghiem’s mother was a devoted follower of Thich Nhat Hanh, influencing Sister Kinh Nghiem’s early exposure to Buddhism, despite her initial disinterest. At 14, Sister Kinh Nghiem attended a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh, and though she had no deep understanding of Buddhism or meditation at the time, his teachings resonated with her, especially on impermanence, suffering, and happiness. She experienced a personal awakening, realizing that she wanted to share these teachings with her peers and help others navigate life's challenges. Sister Kinh Nghiem reflects on her decision to become a monastic, noting how it wasn't initially about finding peace within herself but about helping her friends. She also shares how her parents reacted to her decision, with her mother ultimately allowing her to make the choice herself. Within weeks of attending the retreat, Sister Kinh Nghiem traveled to Plum Village in France, where she was ordained. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of letting go of preconceived ideas about monastic life. She explains that the path of a monastic is not about conforming to rigid expectations, but about staying true to one's intentions and practice, regardless of external challenges or judgments. For her, it was essential to maintain her individuality while also harmonizing with the monastic community.  The episode closes with advice to those considering monastic life: approach it with an open mind, free from expectations, and be ready to face the personal responsibility it entails.

    57 Min.
  4. 23. SEPT.

    Meet the Monastics Teaser

    From Deer Park Monastery, it's Meet the Monastics. As monastics, the most common question asked of us is, you guessed it, why did you become a monastic? I'm Brother Minh-An, a Buddhist monk in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. And this podcast is for anyone who's ever wanted to ask that question. Each week, we'll bring you my conversations with other fully ordained monks and nuns about their journey to monastic life and what inspires them now. We hope they inspire you to live a happier, kinder, and more meaningful life. And who knows, maybe some of you will even consider monastic life yourself. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on the Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel. Get rid of all of your ideas of what monastic path is.  Now you get to choose, and it's deliberate. That is a monk. What is more satisfying in life than helping people to transform their suffering? I mean, who cares about money and all this other stuff? I just remember this feeling of, wow, I knew all this stuff already that is in the book, but somehow in the busyness, in the pursuits, in all the stuff in daily life, I had lost touch with it somehow. And God, I just don't wanna lose touch with this again. I need to just like keep drilling this in. Because by the end of the day, it is your self-love that helped me, that saved me, that keeps me going. Because if I continue to criticize myself or have excessive negative thoughts, I cannot do much. And I noticed my relationship with my sibling is more honest. But I think the most important thing is that my relationship with myself is a lot more honest. So that made me very happy. -

    2 Min.

Info

Conversations with monks and nuns about their journey to monastic life and what inspires them today, hosted by Brother Minh An, a Buddhist monk in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

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