The Abbess told us that there were seven children in her family, and that she and her 5 sisters became Buddhist monks or nuns. The one son converted to Catholicism. He has 5 children, all of whom have converted to Buddhism. She entered the monastery at age 13, and now, at age 63, is head of the monastery we visited.
She rises at 4, worships for an hour, then has breakfast, followed by an hour of meditation and 2 hours during which she preaches. Lunch is followed by a siesta, and the afternoon is taken up with management. Lights out at 9.
The monastery, One Pillar Pagoda, has obviously prospered under the Abbess’ leadership. She has rebuilt the main altar building and added an orphanage. People bring the children they cannot support and leave them at the gate. There are two new infants who were just left there, plus another 15 pre-school age children. All of them were taking their afternoon naps, watched over by several women, one of whom was cradling an infant who was fussing unhappily. There are 30 other children who go to school during the day. Children can stay until age 18. The Pagoda also takes in elderly homeless people, of whom there are currently another 15 or so.
(Sorry for the fuzzy pictures – my camera settings had gotten off kilter!)
The Abbess’ face is calm and unlined, and she appears both to be very happy and also serenely peaceful. She told us how happy she was to see us “because we have happy faces.” And she congratulated us on living in a “paradise”, which she has visited several times.
Asked for a blessing for a sick friend, the Abbess responded with a smile that the Buddha is everywhere, and simply asking for the blessing would cause it to be granted.
As we left, she stood erect in her saffron robes, gently waving goodbye, before she turned and went back to continue her day.
Typed 1/21/18 on the RV Tonle Pandaw, but not published at that time because of very weak wi-if.
Published 1/29/18 from Ho Chi Mihn City (aka Saigon)
Mary's Travel Blog 