Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!
Dear Sangha and friends. Most of you know me as Master Quang Trí, or as Teacher likes to introduce me, “the young monk, Master Quang Trí.” On July 10th, 2021, I took full Bhiskhu ordination at Dai Dang Monastery in Bonsall, California. It is the same monastery I took my Samanera (novice) ordination as well in early 2019, so it was a great honor to go back to the same monastery to complete my ordination journey. I entered the monastic life in January 2019 as a young 30-year old full of energy, determination, and excitement for life as a monk. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. Although I had a strong desire for many years to become a monk, the timing was never right. Finally, my karma bucket was full enough for it to happen. I had a pretty good and comfortable life: I had a beautiful house, a couple of cars, a good job, several vacations a year, and a circle of amazing friends and relationships. Still, this wasn’t fully satisfying and I knew my calling for becoming a monk was getting stronger. I finally took the leap of faith and requested to ordain from my beloved Teacher, Thích Phuoc Quang. He accepted me and I entered the first step of monastic life on January 20, 2019.
From the outside looking in, the life of a monk or nun might seem “easy,” but it is far, far from it! The last few years has been some of the most challenging times of my life. Waking up early every day for morning chanting and meditation at 5am, often not going to bed until midnight. The constant chores, studying, and chanting several times a day. Meditating for long periods of time. And sometimes fighting my own feelings of exhaustion, loneliness, frustration, and fear – it has been anything but easy. Regardless, despite the challenges and struggles, it has been completely freeing and rewarding, and I am filled with happiness and gratitude. The monastic life is definitely not for everyone. It takes a very special person with the right mindset, dedication, and purpose to be able to become and stay as a monastic. Going back at least 10-15 years, there have been many people who tried to become monks and nuns at our temple, but did not succeed. They all left within two months or less. I don’t think people fully understand the dedication it takes to wake up early everyday, sleep less, eat less, study more, and dedicate their lives to the service of all sentient beings. It is a difficult life, but it is completely rewarding if you can stick through it.
Many of my friends when I first announced I was going to ordain as a monk responded with mixed feelings. To them, they didn’t know the extent of my devoutness to Buddhism, they just knew I was Buddhist and went to temple every Sunday. So it was a complete shock to many. They asked, “Well, can’t you do that without being a monk??” And technically, yes. Obviously you don’t have to be a monk or nun to have a serious practice, learn and teach the Dharma, and serve the community. But, becoming a monk or nun is more than that. It is a type of devotion and dedication that can’t be met as a layperson. It isn’t about the titles, robes, rituals, or any of that. It is a feeling that can’t be explained in words, so I won’t even attempt. Hopefully you get the idea!
I became a monk for several reasons, but the main reason was to create a new tradition of true American Buddhism. All of Buddhism in America now is really just an “Americanized” version of whatever respected country the practice is from. Including our own temple, Phuoc Hue Buddhist Temple. It is still a Vietnamese temple, with Vietnamese ceremonies, rituals, and traditions. Fortunately, we have an English service with English chanting, which distinguishes us from other and most temples in America, as most temples (regardless of tradition) still continue to chant in their respected language and do no have an English service, which creates a big disconnect with their American community. I aspire to mend this. To create a new Order that will be “Buddhism for America, from America,” weaving out some of the more unnecessary and obscure rituals and teachings, and basing the foundational teachings on things that are most appropriate for our culture and society. Obviously this is no easy task, but this is why I became a monk. To spend the rest of my life dedicated to accomplishing this for the benefit of our society and the world.
Anyway. My full ordination was one of the happiest days of my life! This auspicious event is (to me) equivalent to getting married, or at least it’s as big of a deal as getting married. The day I was accepted and invited to the full ordination, I had tears of joy as I called Teacher on the phone and let him know of this great news! I immediately ran to my computer and booked my flight to California. I knew many ordination platforms last year and this year were being canceled because of COVID, so I feared this year would pass without an ordination ceremony. To my surprise, I received a call from one of the co-Abbots of Dai Dang Monastery inviting me to the ordination ceremony. I was practically jumping for joy during the phone call, I was so happy and excited. The day I’ve been waiting for was finally happening.
I spent almost a week at Dai Dang Monastery. Unlike our temple, Dai Dang Monastery is a huge monastery with several dozen monks and nuns. To be in such a humble, brotherly environment was so inspiring and amazing. It’s only in big monasteries like this that most monks and nuns will have a true monastic life and schedule. Because our temple (Phuoc Hue Buddhist Temple) is small with few monastics, life here, though structured and scheduled, is a lot more laxed than a monastic’s life in a big monastery. Monasteries typically wake up much earlier, study longer, have formal meals together, and have several chanting and meditation periods throughout the day. It was a beautiful experience to be part of. I hope that one day in the future our temple will be such a monastery, teaching and training the next generation of American monks and nuns.
Being part of the full ordination ceremony, listening to the instructions and the precepts, had a profound change in me. My dedication grew stronger, my inspiration grew bigger, and I felt so much joy and happiness. When I returned to my temple (Phuoc Hue Temple), I had to make a formal announcement to Teacher of my ordination and return; reassuring my vows and dedication to the service of the Three Jewels. Teacher’s words brought tears to my eyes, letting me know his torch will be passed to me one day. I was both honored and fearful. I cried because I could not imagine life without him, his love, his support, and his presence. I know life is impermanent and we live by that rule, but this is a different kind of loss that made me fear for the future of the temple. I’ll just stop there before the waterworks happen again!
To my beloved Teacher, Thich Phuoc Quang, to the venerable monks and nuns at Dai Dang Monastery, and to my beautiful Sangha at Phuoc Hue, I thank you for your love and support. I vow to live the rest of my life dedicating every part of it to serving all sentient beings and releasing them from suffering so that they can attain full enlightenment.
Please enjoy some of these photos from my ordination ceremony and the Dai Dang Monastery.
Smile and be well!
Venerable Thích Quang Trí
