Sangha of the Month for January 2017
How would you describe Cherry Blossom Sangha (CBS)?
Bảo Trần: CBS is a melting pot of like-minded and unique individuals. Like-minded in the sense that we all gather with similar intent – to deepen our practice and support one another, but unique in that we are from all different walks of life and each presence brings its own special contribution.
What do you feel is your greatest benefit from Wake Up and/or CBS?
Tú Nguyễn: I find life more meaningful, more connected to others, and more joyful. It is great to meet people, hear their stories, and share my stories. CBS gatherings put me at ease and make me feel more valued and a greater sense of life. We learn from one another.
Wen Xiao: My greatest benefit has been belonging to a community of like-minded people who support each other in their search for peace and happiness.
Quang Trần: Meeting new members. Everyone is wonderful and hearing their stories is a source of constant inspiration for me.
What has been your happiest Wake Up or CBS moment?
Nhi Trần: Every Wake Up and CBS moment is a happy moment. ☺
Quang Trần: My happiest CBS moment was when we sang and made a video to celebrate Thầy Thích Nhất Hạnh’s 90th birthday. You can find it on YouTube by searching “One In All – Original song dedicated to Thầy.”
What does Wake Up mean to you?
Tú Nguyễn: In our busy society, we tend to live day by day in an automatic mode. We work hard to acquire things we think will make us happy, and we live our lives in ways designed by society. This usually means our focus is to increase social status or have expensive things in order to be respected. Our happiness is more determined by external rather than internal conditions.
So to me, Wake Up means self-awareness. We become more attentive of our beliefs, our thinking, and our actions. We don’t live in an automatic mode or let our lives be affected by external conditions. We are in control of ourselves in all situations. We think twice when acting on something to make sure that our actions will not harm or hurt others. We connect more to people and help those in need. We proactively live our life rather than being passive or reactive.
Lai Trần: Wake Up means we have a new beginning every morning to make a positive change in our surroundings. Every day is a new day to learn and practice the Buddha’s teachings. His teachings help us wake up happier and be freer from societal expectations.
Ana Lai: Wake Up has been a life changing opportunity to allow me to put myself first when it comes to my physical and mental well-being when I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. All I’ve ever known was a fast paced life where there was never a moment to breathe, unless I was practicing yoga. My first experience with Wake Up was at a retreat in Washington, and it opened up my eyes to the world of Dharma talks, mindfulness eating, and a nourishing environment.
Is everyone in CBS Buddhist?
Nhi Trần: No. We are diverse in age, cultural and spiritual backgrounds.
What does being part of CBS involve?
Bảo Trần: Showing up to our gatherings once a month. All that is required is an open mind and a genuine heart. Be prepared to meet interesting people that will in some way or another, bring a little positivity into your day.
Nhi Trần: You can also follow us on Facebook for updates and inspirations: www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomSangha 🙂
How does CBS build friendship and community?
Wen Xiao: At each gathering we are given the opportunity to get to know one another over a meal. Often, we would take turns expressing our ideas towards a piece of philosophy drawn from the ‘treasure chest.’ We are encouraged, but we never feel obliged to contribute. CBS gatherings are a safe environment where we can share ideas, bond, and learn to understand each other.
What have been the challenges for you in your involvement with CBS?
Nhi Trần: CBS was officially formed just 9 months ago in April 2016, so our structure and practice is still somewhat flimsy. Our approach thus far has been to “go with the flow.” Regardless, CBS thrives in that we have been averaging 15 members per gathering and every member engages and contributes positively to the Sangha. There is so much insight and depth among us. We are open and harmonious toward one another.
The warm, collective energy we create makes me feel like we’re a bunch of cheerful Cherry Blossom part-time Buddhas and Buddha-to-bes. ☺ I encourage any Seattleite currently reading this to join us when chance allows: CherryBlossomSangha@wkup.org. 🙂 On a personal note, I’ll add that ever since I’ve made a commitment to create and post original quotes by Thầy every weekday on our Facebook Page, I sometimes find myself consumed by CBS and wondering if I should take a few steps back to better balance life’s priorities. These days I rarely have time for Korean dramas any more, which is so tragic. 🙁 🙂
However, at the end of these thoughts, I always come back to the same conclusion in that CBS is not a once-a-month occurrence and our practice isn’t a part-time endeavor. Buddhism has always been my greatest refuge. The Buddha’s life is a profound inspiration. And Thầy has written over 100 books on Buddhism, spirituality, and mindfulness. Through learning and sharing Thầy teachings I have gained so much insight, gratitude and joy while feeling deeply connected to him. It has and continues to be a tremendously rewarding experience. I feel grateful for the opportunity and to all the conditions that made CBS possible, especially to the Viet Wake Up Tour monastics for their enduring encouragement and guidance.
Have you had any difficult moments? What were they?
Tú Nguyễn: Yes, I believe everyone has difficult moments in all aspects of life. For me, I used to have internal conflicts. I did not know what I wanted in life. I had lost myself in some occasions. I usually find myself in some situations where my actions conflicted with my thinking and beliefs.
How are you building relationships with the Order of Interbeing community?
Nhi Trần: There is strong harmony across all Order of Interbeing groups in Seattle and in Washington State. With Thảnh Thơi Sangha, for example, we communicate and exchange resources on a regular basis to help improve our practice and nurture our brotherhood and sisterhood. When opportunities allow, we are also encouraged to participate in themed or personal retreats at Deer Park, Blue Cliff, Magnolia Grove, and other Plum Village monasteries and retreat centers to deepen our practice while enriching our lives through meeting other practitioners from all walks of life.
What is your favorite Thich Nhat Hanh quote?
Long Thái: “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”
Quang Trần: “Because you are alive, everything is possible.”
Nghi Trần: “True love is a love without possessiveness. You love and still you are free, and the other person is also free. The kind of love that has no joy is not true love. If both parties cry every day, then that’s not true love. There must be joy and freedom and understanding in love.”
Nhi Trần: I have a lot. 🙂
“Awakened, we are free, serene, and happy – masters of ourselves.”
“Fearlessness is not only possible. It is the ultimate joy.”
“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.”
“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.”
What is your favorite practice?
Bảo Trần: My own personal favorite is meditation. However in a CBS setting, my favorite practice is Dharma Sharing.
Long Thai: Sitting Meditation.
Nhi Trần: Working Meditation and Dharma Sharing.
What is your favorite Dharma song?
Nghi Trần: Nowhere Else.
Lai Tran: I Like The Roses.
Nhi Trần: Happiness, I Am a Cloud, All in My Heart, No Coming No Going, One in All 🙂, and The Insight that Brings us to the Other Shore (especially by Sister Thệ Nghiêm – Sister True Vow).
Bảo Trần: I have two! I Like the Roses and All in My Heart. I sing these two songs to my newborn niece often. They will be, if not already, her favorite songs, too. ☺