Die peacefully, live happily
Organizer
Department of Philosophy, Lingnan University
Event Title
Department of Philosophy, Public Talk
Document Type
Public Seminar
Date
11-7-2002
Time
10:30 a.m. -- 12:30 p.m.
Venue
SO301, Social Sciences Building, Lingnan University
Description
In this talk, Sister Chan Khong will share with us her rich experience related to her search for the meaning of life, and of death. In particular, she will illustrate, from her own life encounters, the fact that we could live our lives well only by dissipating our fear of death.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chan, K. B. (2002, November 7). Die peacefully, live happily [Video podcast]. Retrieved from http://commons.ln.edu.hk/videos/334
Additional Information
Speaker
Sister Chan Khong (Cao Ngoc Phuong) was born in 1938 in the Mekong River Delta, and grew up amidst great political and military turmoil. In the height of political repression and resistance, Ngoc Phuong went to the University of Paris in October 1965 to finish her thesis, which she had started in the University of Saigon. She came back in June 1964 at the request of Thich Nhat Hanh, to help with the founding of the School of Youth for Social Service (SYSS), which trained Buddhist social reformers. Thereafter, she was actively involved in work among war victims, the democracy movement, and the peace movement. It was during those years, in 1967, that her dear friend, Nhat Chi Mai, sacrificed herself for peace by self-immolation.
In 1968, Sister Chan Khong left Vietnam for France, in order to help Thich Nhat Hanh with his Peace Movement in the Western world. Following the unfolding of the tragic political and military events of the Vietnam War, she devoted her time to the Peace Movement, refiigee work, and efforts to help war victims in Vietnam itself. She has not returned to Vietnam since. In 1988, she was ordained by her long-time teacher and dear friend, Thich Nhat Hanh, at Vulture Peak in North India, where Sakyumunii Buddha himself had lectured. Today, she normally resides in the mediation centre in Plum Village, France, where she helps with the teaching of mindfulness, understanding and love. She enjoys working with young people most of all.