LIFE AND MERITORIOUS BEHAVIORS OF THE MOST VENERABLE

THERO THÍCH CHƠN THÀNH

By Venerable Thích Thánh Minh & Venerable Thích Trừng Sỹ

I. BIOGRAPHY

The Most Venerable Thero Thích Chơn Thành, who is a simple, harmonious,

and lovely Monk, always opens a joyful smile, loved by the intellectuals, Japanese

students, and Vietnamese and foreign communities very respectfully with beloved

name: “Happy Monk.” The Venerable Master, who was nurtured from the Japanese

Zen Buddhist lineage, sublimates spiritual life. He has new era viewpoints leading

to benefits for Buddhism and people.

His secular name is Nguyễn Thứ, who was born on August 9, 1934 in Xuân

Thọ Commune, Sông Cầu District, Phú Yên Province, Vietnam. His father is Mr.

Nguyễn Thanh, his mother is Mrs. Võ Thị Đạt. He is the disciple of the Late Most

Venerable Thero Thích Quảng Liên, the first Vietnamese Buddhist Monk to study

abroad in the United States of America in 1956 with scholarships granted by the

US. Department of State and the American Cultural Agency.

Portrait of the Late Most Venerable Thero Thích Quảng Liên, Master of the

Most Venerable Thích Chơn Thành.

His Dharma Master graduated from Yale University, New Haven,

Connecticut, Eastern United States with a Ph.D. in economics research, Southeast

Asian culture in 1960.

II. MONASTIC PERIOD AND STUDY

In 1951, Vietnamese Buddhism has merged with World Buddhism. The Late

Most Venerable Thero Thích Quảng Liên was represented by the Vietnamese

Buddhist General Executive for the Vietnamese Buddhist Association to study at

Colombo World Buddhist College and KanDy National University – Sri Lanka.

In 1956, after graduating from the Bachelor, the Most Venerable Master Thích

Quảng Liên returned to Phu Yen to visit his hometown. When auspicious conditions

came, on this occasion, two disciples of the Venerable Master came to prostrate to

take refuge in him and asked to be shaved their hair to be ordained as novice Monks

with the Venerable Master Quảng Liên, who granted them the Dharma names:

Chơn Thành and Chơn Định. After that, the Venerable Master led his disciples to

the South of Vietnam and sent them to Ấn Quang Temple at 243 Sư Vạn Hạnh,

District 10 (Chợ Lớn, Sài Gòn City) to study the Buddhadharma. The Venerable

Master Quảng Liên recieved a scholarship awarded by the US. Cultural Agency and

he graduated with a doctorate in Southeast Asian economic and cultural studies at

Yale University, New Haven City, Connecticut, USA in 1960.

Ấn Quang Temple at that time was the headquarters of the Church of the

Southern Vietnamese Sangha, with the construction works of Patriarchal house

floors, dining room, Sen Vàng printing house, Bodhi incense workshop, library,

publishing house, Hương Đạo Publisher had just been built and the Buddha Hall

had been renovated, the floors of the lecture hall and monastic houses had just been

rebuilt. Thanks to the meritorious conduct of the Late Most Venerable Thich Thien

Hoa, the virtuous, modest, and respectful Venerable Master, who dedicated his

whole life to the Dharma and to the people, created the Temple, Stupa, helped

human beings, and trained talented and virtuous people. Ấn Quang Root Temple is

a cradle of training many Monastics through periods, contributing much wisdom to

the Dharma propagation, building a strong Vietnamese Buddhist house in the

twentieth and the twentieth-first.

In 1957, Master Chơn Thành was ordained as a Novice Monk at Ấn Quang

Root Temple. A few years later, he was allowed to attend the Lưỡng Xuyên

Buddhist Academy, where it was used to be a place of training many outstanding

Monastics contributing to the revival of Vietnamese Buddhism as the Honored

Venerable Elders consisted of the Late Most Venerable Monk Thích Hành Trụ,

Monk Thích Thiện Hoa, Monk Thích Thiện Hòa, etc. After Lưỡng Xuyên Buddhist

Academy, keeping studying Giác Sanh Buddhist Academy for three years, Master

Chơn Thành returned to study and lived with his Master’s Most Venerable Master

Thích Vĩnh Thọ, the abbot of Linh Sơn Trường Thọ Root Temple on Tà Cú

Mountain founded by Hữu Đức Patriarch, the famous Monk coming from Phú Yên

Province.

After Senior Venerable Master Thích Quảng Liên graduated with a Ph.D.

from US. Yale University on August 4, 1960, he returned to Visit Vietnam. In

Vietnam, along with him, there were Venerable Chơn Thành and Professor Richard

A. Gard of this University visiting the Hải Đức Buddhist Academy in Nha Trang

and learning about Vietnamese Buddhist organization. During this trip, the

Venerable Chơn Thành was allowed to go together with his Master. After a week of

staying at the Buddhist Institute, his Master asked Senior Venerable Monk Thích

Trí Thủ, who was in charge of the Institute, agreed with the Venerable Chơn Thành

to join the Sangha to study the Buddhadharma there around 2 years. The Executive

Boards that administer the Institute at that time includes:

1. Rector: The Most Venerable Master Thích Huyền Tôn

2. Vice Rector: Senior Venerable Master Thích Trí Quang

3. Supervisor: Senior Venerable Master Thích Trí Thủ

4. Chief Dharma Teacher: Senior Venerable Master Thích Thiện Siêu

5. Treasurer General: Senior Venerable Master Thích Thiện Minh

6. Secretary General: Senior Venerable Master Thích Huyền Quang

In 1962, the Venerable Monk Chơn Thành turned back to the Southern

Buddhist Institute, Ấn Quang Root Temple in Chợ Lớn, Sài Gòn City.

In 1963, he joined the movement of the struggle of Buddhism to demand

religious equality and be against the dictatorship of nepotism of the Ngo family. In

1964, he was ordained as a Bhikkhu on the Great Precepts of Quảng Đức Platform

held for the first time at Vietnam National Buddhist Temple by the Unified

Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation. On this Platform, the elected Sangha King, the

Elder Master Thích Tịnh Khiết made the Most Venerable Head Monk. The Elder

Master Thích Trí Tịnh made the Most Venerable Preceptor of Virtuous Paragon.

The Elder Master Thích Thiện Hòa made the Most Venerable Ācārya Preceptor.

From 1966 to 1969, the Venerable Chơn Thành studied the Faculty of

Literature and Humanities Science at Van Hanh University Institute, Saigon. He

graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy. At that time, relied on a few statements of

predecessors, he was aware of setting up the Bodhisattva vows to go into life to

help sentient beings. He sayed by poem:

“I am a messenger of Tathagata

Vowing his whole life to dedicate the Three Jewels

Serving beings means make offerings to Buddhas

Where sentient beings invite me, I will come there

Where the Dharma needs me, I will go there

Regardless of hardships and adversities.”

Namo the Original Master Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

III. REASON AND TIME TO STUDY ABROAD AND PROPAGATE THE

DHARMA IN JAPAN

When being a Monk student, Venerable Chơn Thành was studying the

Southern Buddhist Institute at Ấn Quang Root Temple. At that time, the Most

Venerable Master Thích Thiện Hoa went to attend the World Buddhist Conference

in Japan, the Venerable Master told the Monastic students about the progress and

development of Japanese Buddhism. After the Venerable Master’s words and after

reading the article written by Mr. Chánh Trí Mai Thọ Truyền about fifteen days of

visiting Japan, Venerable Chơn Thành realized These are important factors

motivating him to study abroad in Japan.

Venerable Chơn Thành’s wishes were well accomplished. On April 3, 1970,

he went to Japan to study Japanese at Kokusai School in Tokyo. In Japanese, Tokyo

means “the Capital in the East.” Đông Kinh culture absorbed the essence of Korean,

Chinese, and India Buddhist literature, but the Japanese knew how to select

appropriate things for their people. In 587, Buddhism was officially recognized in

Japan. Prince Shotoku proclaimed the Constitution of 17 articles, in the second

article saying: “Steeping in confidence in the Three Jewels, taking refuge in the

Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Abandoning the evil mind, absolutely

obeying the Buddhist teachings.”

After the time of studying Japanese, Venerable Chơn Thành passed and

officially became a student of Risshò University in Tokyo, Japan. Risshò University

is a large Japanese University with 15 University Faculties and 7 post-graduate

Faculties, including Buddhist Studies Faculty and Nichiren Buddhist Faculty

founded by his Holiness the Nichiren Master in 1222 –1282.

The Nichiren Master is a saint who specializes in teaching Lotus Sūtra (S.

Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra). His disciples daily specialized in maintaining the

titles of the Lotus of Sutra name: “Nam-mô Diệu Pháp Liên Hoa Kinh – Namu

Myōhō Renge Kyō -南無妙法蓮華経.” This is similar to the practitioners

practicing the the Pure Land Method, specializing in maintaining the titles of

Amitabha Buddha.

The University gate with four pillars made of stones is very simple, but very

artistic. On both ends of main gates which are engraved lion shapes simulate stone

pillars of King Ashoka’s periods in India. On these stones that are engraved a peace

messeage symbolize the School’s educational foundation with three main contents

as follows:

1. Find the truth, raise high up the sincere heart

(真実を求め至誠を捧げよう).

2. Glorify the good deeds, abandon the evil ones

(正義を尊び邪悪を除こう).

3. Pray for peace, serve human life (和平を願い人類に尽そう).

Venerable Khải Thiên’s picture was taken at the gate of Risshò University,

Japan.

The contemporary Dharma friends studied together with Venerable Chơn

Thành including Venerable Master Thích Minh Tâm, Venerable Master Thích

Nguyên Đạt, Venerable Master Thích Trí Hiền, Mr. Lâm Như Tạng, etc. At present,

Master Thích Minh Tâm at Khánh Anh Temple in France and Master Thích Trí

Hiền at Pháp Quang Temple in Dallas, Texas, both passed away and went to the

Buddha’s realm. From 1975 onwards, because of the difficult situation of the

country, Venerable Chơn Thành no longer received funding from his homeland

Vietnam. During his studies at Risshò University in Japan for 3 years, he had to go

to school and work part-time to earn money to pay for University tuition of about

$30,000.00 a year. He did not care about hard work and once had to deliver each

bowl of noodles for everyone to get money to pay for school fees.

There were times when he was not used to driving a bicycle with one hand,

his other hand was holding a bowl of noodle, but unlucky, the bowl of noodle was

dropped, the wages of that day seemed to be lost, he had no money at all. He used

to do a restaurant and to stand in line waiting for someone to hire him to work or

carry something heavy to earn money to pay tuition. When speaking of this, the

writer feels very touched with those who are studying abroad.

Although he both went to school and work to earn money to pay tuition, the

substance of his cultivation and self-will was always cultivated and nurtured

strongly in his study and practice abroad years. It was this time that helped him to

have extraordinary energy and deep thinking about the nature of life and the way of

Dharma practice. From that time until now, he always sympathizes and understands

students with difficult circustances in the country as well as abroad. Whenever there

is a good occasion, young monastics visit his Temple, he always encourages and

upholds them to keep their initial Bodhi minds. When their Bodhi minds develop,

all difficulties, obstacles, and challenges will be controlled and overcome. In his

study time in Japan, although he was busy doing many tasks, his daily cultivation

such as Meditation practice, Great Compassion Mantra practice, he always applied

it into his daily life to benefit the body and mind. At that time, his hobby was to

write the Sacred Compassion Book by hand in Japan.

From 1970 to 1973. Venerable Chơn Thành held the position of Deputy

Minister of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Church in Japan. Every month or

every two months, monastics in the Executive Board had a meeting once.

Vietnamese Buddhist Ministry in Japan decided to create a Buddhist journal,

initially published once a month in Vietnamese and Japanese.

From 1973 to 1975, Venerable Minh Tâm made the Deputy Minister,

Venerable Chơn Thành made the Chief Minister, and Mr. Lâm Như Tạng held the

position of the Secretary General of the Vietnamese Buddhist Ministry in Tokyo,

Japan.

Due to the influence of foreign ideologies, the wars between the South and the

North of Vietnam escalated fiercely. The country and people of Vietnam became

misled, hungry, suffered, and backward. At that time, Vietnamese Monks and Nuns

studying in Japan actively participated in fighting nonviolence for peace and

protecting the ideals of freedom and democracy for Vietnamese people. They

lobbied Japanese officials, participating in hunger strikes, conferences in Kyoto,

and mobilized to aid victims of war, orphans, and widows.

In March, 1975, Venerable Chơn Thành made a Chairman of the Committee

advocate for relief of victims of the Vietnam war.

At 7:30 p.m. on October 6, 1975, NHK television station of the Japanese

government showed a feature film about the life of “Vietnamese Monk” (Betonamu

No Obosau). His name has been known everywhere by Dai Cheng in Japan.

In 1978, Venerable Chơn Thành, one of the leaders of the movements of

fighting for religious freedom and human rights for Vietnam, had many hunger

strikes. In 1981, he attended International University with meaningful papers. In

1983, for the first time, he officially visited the United States of America. On March

1, 1984, he visited China at the invitation of the Beijing Government.

IV. TIMES OF SETTLEMENT AND DHARMA PROPAGATION IN

AMERICA

In 1985, receiving the invitation and approval of the US. President Ronald

Reagan, the Most Venerable Master Chơn Thành officially settled in the United

States of America. In his first years, he stayed at Phật Tổ Temple founded by the

Late Most Venerable Thích Thiện Thanh in Long Beach City, California State.

In 1987, he founded Liên Hoa Temple and made the Abbot until 1995, the

Liên Hoa Temple was built completely in Garden Grove, California.

In 1998, the Most Venerable Master Chơn Thành went to the Precepts

transmitting Ceremony on the Great Precepts of Hương Sơn Platform at Pháp Bảo

Temple, founded by the Most Venerable Master Thích Bảo Lạc in Sydney,

Australia. In this Ceremony, the Elder Master Thích Như Huệ was invited the

position of the Most Venerable Head Monk, the Elder Master Thích Minh Tâm was

invited the position of the Most Venerable Karmadana Master, and the Elder Master

Thích Chơn Thành was invited the position of the Most Venerable Ācārya

Preceptor. At that time, Venerable Thích Quảng Ba, Venerable Thích Phước Nhơn,

Venerable Thích Minh Trí, and Venerable Thích Bổn Điền An Thien were ordained

as the Senior Venerable Ranks under the proof and guidance of the Most Venerable

Elder Masters.

On the left side is the Most Venerable Thero Thích Minh Tâm, on the

middle side is the Most Venerable Thero Thích Như Huệ, and on the right

side is the Most Venerable Thero Thích Chơn Thành.

The Late Most Venerable Thero Thích Quảng Liên

In 2000, when having enough wholesome conditions, the Most Venerable

Thero Thích Quảng Liên, Master of the Most Venerable Monk Thích Chơn Thành,

visited Liên Hoa Temple in Garden Grove, California.

-

The Most Venerable Thero Thích Chơn Thành was Deputy Sangha President

of Inter-Sects Church of Vietnamese Buddhism in the United States of America.

In 2008, he was a member of the Council of Elders of the Sangha President

Institute of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Church.

In 2012, World Vietnamese Buddhist Order held the 10th General Congress at

Viên Quang Monastery. In this Congress, the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn

Thành was selected as the Deputy President Elder. From 2015 onwards, Liên Hoa

Temple where he has been the Abbot becomes an Office of the Leadership Council

of the World Vietnamese Buddhist Order. He composed many bullettins for the

Congress. At present, he is one of the Supreme Leaders in the Dignitaries Council

of Vietnamese Buddhism in the United States of America.

V. WEEKLY BROADCAST PROGRAM

Advocating and implementing the compassion broadcast radio, on the

frequency 1480 AM from 8:30 to 9:00 PM every Monday evening and on the

frequency 1190 AM from 8:30 to 9:00 PM every Wednesday evening. From

April 2000, another program was added, “the Voice of Compassion” used two

English and Vietnamese languages so that young people could hear the

Dharma program on Saturday from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM on the frequency

1190 AM controlled by the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành,

Senior Venerable Monk Thích Nhật Minh, along with Mr. Kusala, Bodhi, Mr.

Trí Tuệ, Quảng Tâm, Đào Hữu Hòa, Professor Monez Blades, Adam Austin,

Shawn Marie Turi, John Turi, Minh Đức Hoài Trinh, Nguyễn Quảng, Julie,

Mr. Sandi Mutroom, etc.

VI. PERFORM PROGRAMS HAPPILY IN THE DHARMA LIGHT

- Charity Center of Buddhist Society in Southern California organized many

series of financial donations and materials to relieve victims of natural

disasters in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, America. In this Charity Center, the

Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành held the role of Chairman of the

administrative Council. The Most Venerable Master Thích Quảng Thanh

made the Director of Executive Council. Senior Venerable Nun Diệu Từ acted

as deputy internal affairs. Mr. Cao Tấn Nhựt acted as deputy foreign affairs.

Mr. Đào Hữu Hạnh acted as General Secretary. At that time, Senior Venerable

Thích Viên Lý, Senior Venerable Thích Minh Mẫn, Quảng Trí Châu, Attorney

Nguyễn Trọng Nho, and Elder Brother Tâm Hòa – Lê Quang Dật, etc., were

the collaborators of this Center.

Besides the above Buddhist tasks, the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn

Thành also served as the chairman of Truc Lam Magazine in Santa Ana, California,

the United States of America. This magazine has published many different

numbers. Its contents are diversified and rich.

His published works consist of:

Sacred Goodness Book - Peace of heavenly Path

Sacred good World Book - Peace heavenly Path

Sacred good Virtue Book - Peace of heavenly Path

Sacred Wide Horizon Book - Peace of Heavenly Path

His work in progress:

Ten Feet – Peotry Collection, Peace of heavenly Path

VI. OTHER BUDDHIST TASKS

In 2003, he who implemented pilgrimages of the Buddhist holy lands in India,

visited, and preached the Dharma in 16 different countries in Europe and Asian

countries.

The Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành and his Fans

Especially, in his Dharma talks, he often mentioned Dharma propagators in

the host country to be frequently flexible to skillfully manipulate Vietnamese

Buddhist cultures easily to integrate into the local culture.

The Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành pilgrimed the Buddhist holy

lands at the great stupa in Bodhgaya in Spring, 2003.

Along with the Sangha, the Most Venerable Thích Chơn Thành pilgrimed the

Buddhist holy lands in 2003.

On June 7 1997, for the first time, together with fellow country Vietnamese

Buddhist people, the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành successfully

organized the Ceremony of welcoming the 14th Dalai Lama preaching the Dharma

to the Buddhist Community in California, the United States of America.

Celebrating the new millennium, on behalf of Vạn Hạnh Church, the Most

Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành patronized spirits for the Great Ceremony of

Anointment held by the 14th Daila Lama at the great theater Terrance of Long

Beach Convention Center on April 24 2000. Buddhist Community of the South of

California sponsored over US $ 40,000 for this great Ceremony.

The Most Veeenerable Master Thích Chơn Thành organized 12,000 Buddhists

of all nationalities to attend the Dalai Lama’s discourse on the Four Noble Truths at

Long Beach Convention Hall & Entertainment Center on September 25, 2009.

In 2011, the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành was an elected Head

of organizing Festival of intercontinental Vesak Day for Buddhist Era 2555th

organized in Anaheim Convention Center – Arena Hall, 800 W. Katella Ave.,

Anaheim, CA 92802.

VIII. WORK TO CONTRIBUTE TO CONSTRUCTION

On the other hand, although busy with many Buddhist tasks, despite the high

old age of weak health, the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành has tried his

best to contribute to building and restoring Liên Hoa Temple in Sông Cầu town,

Phú Yên province, Trà Cú Temple in Phan Thiết City, Quảng Đức Monastery in

Thủ Đức District, Khánh Anh Temple in France, Phật Đà Temple, Bát Nhã Temple

in South California, and Hội Phước Temple in New Mexico. Besides that, he also

proved the Kṣitigarbha Dharma Assembly was held annually at the Peek Family

Funeral Home in the South of California.

-

-

IX. GRATITUDE FOR BUILDING THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL

STATUE

https://www.ocregister.com/2015/06/12/one-for-the-gipper-ronald-reagan-statue-

unveiled-in-fountain-valley/

From 1969 to 1985, Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành went to study

abroad in Japan.

In 1985, accepting the invitation of the 40th US. President, Ronald Reagan,

Venerable Chơn Thành went to settle in the South of California, the United States

of America. To be grateful to America in general, and especially President Reagan

in particular, Venerable Chơn Thành considered the President as “his dear old Dad”

by donating US. $36,000 to build a six-foot-tall bronze Presidential statue at Mile

Square in Fountain Valley, Orange County, California, America.

X. RECEIVING THE NOBLE MEDALS

In 1975, the United Nations awarded and sent the noble peace medal to

Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành.

In 2013, the 41st US. President, George H. W. Bush awarded and sent the

noble medal to the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành.

In the term of the 43rd US. President, George W. Bush awarded and sent the

noble medal to the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành.

In 2017, the 45th US. President, Donald Trump awarded and sent the noble

medal to the Most Venerable Master Thích Chơn Thành.

Thus, through his monastic life and Dharma practice of the Most Venerable

Master Thích Chơn Thành, we can learn the good things from him as follows:

He lives a simple, happy, sympathetic, and good life with everyone. Imitating

his virtuous and talented Master, he always tries his best to cultivate and learn the

Buddhadharma. While studying in a foreign country, despite encountering many

difficult adversities both physically and mentally, he never dropped out of school

and quit cultivation, and resolve to nurture Bodhi mind to benefit oneself and others

right in the present life. Although overcoming many ways of cultivation and

learning in different places, he always upholds firm confidence in the Three Jewels,

and believes deeply in the cause and effect.

Although the Most Venerable Thero Thích Quảng Liên is the virtuous and

talented person, the Most Venerable Master Chơn Thành does not rely on his

Master in order not to study and not to cultivate. Although busy with his studies,

Master Chơn Thành always practices and applies Dharma learning and Dharma

practice into his daily life. He is frequently aware that imitating the virtuous and

talented Masters is to be a shining example for himself and others by campaigning

to raise pure money and pure materials to make charitable donations for needy

families. In the process of cultivating and studying at home and abroad, he always

chooses good teachers and good friends to study, exchange, work, and

communicate. Towards spirits of harmony, peace, freedom, civil rights, and

democracy, along with fellow practitioners, he always nurtures, cultivates, and

strongly maintains many spiritual, peaceful, happy roles for many people.

Indeed, in the process of studying and propagating the Dharma at home and

abroad, he has good feelings with many people and been much loved by many

people. Wherever he lives, there he develops his mind to establish Dharma Center

and build the Buddha body, Dharma body, and Sangha body well. In aspects of

diplomacy, he used to work and welcome heads of states, including the 40th US.

President Ronald Reagan and His holiness Dalai Lama.

In aspects of spiritual culture, he always encourages the Dharma propagators

to skillfully manipulate the Buddhadharma into their daily lives to suit the local

culture. In aspects of gratefulness, he always expresses his deep gratitude to the

United States of America, especially to the President Ronald Reagan, who sent the

invitation letter to him to come to America to settle in 1984, by raising money to

make a six-foot-tall bronze statue for this President. For fellow practitioners,

especially the Late Venerable Thero Thích Quảng Thanh, he always considers the

Venerable Quảng Thanh as his Dharma friend with deep affection and flavor. For

young monastics, he is always close to encourage and communicate his life

experience to them. We would like to sincerely thank the Most Venerable Thích

Chơn Thành, the friendly, peaceful, joyful, and respectful Master.

NAMO THE ORIGINAL MASTER SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHAYA.