Although being a non-religion person, I was profoundly impressed by her dedication to Buddhism, a beautiful lady seeking serenity, kindness and compassion to attain the perfection of life. The conservation continued into the late night in the background of non-ending praying disc.
Abandoning the job as airlines stewardess, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy, Director of Dinh Vang (Golden Top) Company, at 25 years old got married to a Thai family. Her husband is a long-time businessman in Ho Chi Minh city, understanding well Vietnamese culture, and himself taking her to Buddhism with strong religious belief of Thai people.
She recounted: “My husband’s family is fully dedicated to Buddhism. My husband spends his free time to going to pagoda worshipping or listening of Buddhist teachings. He is a follower of Reverend Thich Tri Dung of Thai Tong branch and presented Di Lac Buddha statue to Nam Thien Nhat one-pillar pagoda in Thu Duc.
“My mother-in-lawoften reminds other members of the family that in charity work, heart is more important than money. When I went to Hanoi for a business trip, she asked me to buy conical hats for poor people working in the fields. The small gift was a real encouragement and happiness for the poor.”
While the mother-in-law influenced her with compassion for the poor, the adopted mother Tu Vien, former Chairperson on Dong Nai province Nguyen Thi Kim Nguyen made her life fully committed to Buddhism. Mother Nguyen took her along Buddhist practice, training, learning at Linh Chieu, Giac Tam meditation institutes and reading famous Buddhist books.
After five years practicing in Thien Tong branch, she was named Tu Tam (Generous Heart) by Reverend Thich Thanh Tu. Since then, she feels the life is no longer worrisome and free from constraints, Buddhist philosophy is prevailing.
She said: “Doing business is a real challenge and requires utmost energy. In the past, it was always a headache and even heartbreak. Now I can control it and those who sow the wind reap the storm. It is also the law of cause and effect of Buddhism”.
She went to Buddhist institutes every week meditating, listening to Buddhist teaching, praying and participating in charity work. Fruit and vegetarian foods are daily meals of her family. Pursuing Buddhist teachings to maintain clear-mindedness and business accomplishment are the real fortune of Buddhism.
She said that her father was poor, working hard but remaining in hardship. She believes it is also the law of cause and effect. The hardship of the father brings happiness to the children. She feels the obligation to ensure happiness to her parents and friends who helped her in the most difficult time. By so doing she could also ensure happiness for her children.
She has two daughters and one son. They all are cute, good-natured and educated on sharing with unlucky people. She wishes her children grow up with compassion. With her heart and mind, she will try to bring happiness of families of nearly 30,000 workers of her factories in all parts of Vietnam. It is more precious than all wards and titles she has received.
Every day, after work, she reviews good things as well as mistakes she has made. Her husband also often asked her to be more kind-hearted. It encourages her in business as well as in practicing Buddhism.
Thu Huyen
Vietnamese
