Truc Lam Founder Two Stages of Life , by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu

TRUC LAM FOUNDER

Two Stages of Life

~*~

Written by

Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu

~*~

Translated by

 Tu Tam Hoang

All rights reserved @ 2005

By Tu Tam Hoang

The Wild Sunflowers

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Here are the wild sunflowers

Only grow along the forests

Ensconce aside the highways

Be the hedge to against ill-doers

Late Autumn, come the buds

Open bright in yellow

In spite of people’s disdain

They exert to adorn the homeland

In joy, they’re picked by the herdsmen

In need, they’re the rats’ hideout

They’re the protector of all beings.

~*~

Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu

November 1995

Truc Lam Monastery

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TRUC LAM FOUNDER

The Two Stages of Life

~*~

Written by Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu

Translated by Tu Tam Hoang

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• To the Readers                                                                      9
• Foreword                                                                               11
• Introduction                                                                           13
• Enjoy The Way In Life                                                        25
  • Section 1
  • Section 2
  • Section 3
  • Section 4
  • Section 6
  • Section 7
  • Section 8
  • Section 9
  • Section 10
  • The Attainment Paean                                                          135
  • Auxiliary                                                                                155

To the Readers…

In 2003, I was blessed to meet master Thich Thanh Tu again at Dai Dang monastery. Even though the time was short, but much things has said. My master expressed his desire to introduce this book to English readers and I totally agreed. Shortly after the meeting, I obtained the book and started the project.

This book was a great challenge to me. But the more I read, the more I felt interested. The master discussed 2 excellent writings of the First patriarch of Truc Lam Zen sect: “Enjoy The Way In Life” and “the Attainment Pean.” From these two pieces, you know who he was and his principle. As a king, he did his best for his country and his people. As an ascetic monk, he strived to attain enlightenment and helped others to attain enlightenment as well. In both stages of life, he proved to be a respectable individual. As a Vietnamese, especially a Vietnamese Buddhist, I’m happy and proud to know the facts about the First patriarch and his accomplishment. He’s a great model for us to follow.

I hope this book is informative to you in your study of Truc Lam Zen sect and its founder. As I expressed before, nothing is perfect. Therefore, your understanding for any incompleteness is well appreciated.

Let’s start reading, shall we? So when you’re done with this book, you can tell everyone, “I’ve met him once.”

Dedication

To Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu.

Acknowledgements

My admiration for his intention of renovating Truc Lam Zen sect. Also, my gratitude for his support, confidence, and understanding.

My thanks to my dear parents, who brought me up with virtues and Buddhism. Special thanks to my mother and brother for their consultation, assistance, and the design of the book covers.

My thanks to Lucas for this support and my son for being part of my life.

Last, but not least, my thanks to you, the readers, and all dharma friends for your support, understanding, and encouragement.

Orange County, California

Springe 2005

Tu Tam Hoang

Foreword

The book of “Truc Lam Founder – Two Stages of Life” is a description of a great man in Vietnamese history. As an emperor, he was willing to sacrifice his life to protect his country. When the nation was in peace, he spent half of his time for his people and the other half for Buddhist study. Shortly after his son was crowned, he left the palace to live an ascetic practicing life. After his attainment of enlightenment, he traveled to places to teach Buddhist dharmas.

The first patriarch always strived to fulfill his goals. During wars, he fount until the enemies were out of the country. When he studied Buddhism, he never stopped until the thoroughness was reached. He really is a role model for laymen and monastics to follow.

The two stages of life that I discuss in this book are: The first stage – Life after bequeathal. As a layman, he was thorough in Buddhist dharmas. An example is “Enjoy The Way in Life,” which shows the comparable level of knowing the Buddhist dharmas between him and the Chinese Zen masters. Second stage – After is renunciation. He was determined to practice asceticism in the forest and mountain until enlightenment was attained. We must have seen his mentality through “Dac Thu Lam Tuyen Thanh Dao Ca” (The Attainment Paean). Living an ordained life in the deep mountain is not an act of hiding from life, but a way to purify the mind and to attain the Complete enlightenment. After his attainment, he felt contented and ready to engage in life to teach sentient beings the Buddhist dharmas.

He succeeded in every circumstancesbecause of his determination, courage, and his acceptance of simple and ascetic life. This is a noble example for us, whether monastic or laymen, to study and practice.

February 7, 2002

Thuong Chieu monastery

Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu

Type date &sent - February 23-2019

Dieu Van

(Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A)