Sleeves bellowing to the sides with his hands concealed inside, the Monk sits erect in Lotus Position atop a podium.

His stern face is framed by a bald head. Atop his piercing eyes are sharp eyebrows that rise to a point. Almost motionless he sits with not so much as a muscle twitching. When he does move, it is with the grace of a leaf in the wind. When he speaks, he talks in riddles like an Asian Yoda, challenging the mind with parables of epic mysticism as hard to grasp as catching a fly with chopsticks - which he can also do - without so much as injuring one wing of the insect. He lives as if in another time, devoid of any modern conveniences, on the barest of essentials with only the discipline of wisdom to nurture him. The Monk feels neither cold nor hot. Does he sneeze? Never. For he is above all things besides sitting still in meditation and talking in circles of cosmic understanding.

This is one image that often comes into mind when Westerner’s think of a Buddhist Monk. The relative newness of Western Buddhism, and too many Kung Fu Movies, has created stereotypical images when one thinks of a Buddhist Monastery and Buddhist Monks. Many of the Student’s from Tidewater Community College’s Religious Studies Class who visited Dong Hung Temple came with similar notions. Sitting down with Venerable Chuc Thahn they sought to expand their studies about Buddhism from textbook knowledge to personal experience. 

In his charismatic style, Ven. Chuc Thahn welcomed each class, showing them first off that Monk’s do smile - a lot. The first questions redefined their image of Buddhist Monks. Yes, Monks use cell phones and computers. They drive cars, use lawn mowers, and microwaves. Many of the modern conveniences we use today, Monk’s also use, because in the end it is not the devices themselves that are bad, but our unmindful use of them, that cause difficulty. The students relaxed when they began to see that Monk’s are people just like you and me. They have Mother’s, Father’s, and childhood experiences. Monk’s eat, drink, shop, and dress themselves. In their lives, they have experienced the same feelings and thought the same thoughts as everyone else. Except there is something more - something that is hard to name. It was evident in Ven. Chuc Thahn. His confident, pervasive and peaceful wisdom that saturated his joyful smile brought around more questions about Buddhism.

Ven. Chuc Thahn expanded upon the classes understanding of the Four Nobel Truths and the Eightfold Path. He brought the Teachings of the Buddha to life by explaining what it means to practice in tangible, humorous ways that everyone could relate to. Answering various questions about their studies, he impressed upon the class that no matter what tradition one used to practice Buddhism, the teachings never change. No matter the vehicle of Buddhism - Mahayana or Theravada - the heart of the teaching remains the same. Just like a Toyota may appear different from a Ford, they both still serve the same purpose. Moreover, he spoke about the different cultural traditions surrounding Buddhism and the current effort being made to define Western Buddhism. While answering personal questions from individuals, he brought around the discussion to challenge everyone. “The Buddha is the teacher who shows us how to do our homework. Still, it is up to us to do the work. That is the same for you as students. In your class the teacher gives you all you need. But it is up to you to do the work.”

In the end the students also saw Dong Hung Temple as not some secluded place reserved for the most serious of parishioners to come only with the utmost reverence, but instead they saw it is an open, friendly place where people can come to simply breathe. The serenity at the Temple is for anyone to share in good will. It is a place where we can come back to our truest self, the best of ourselves. When we are at the Temple we are being reminded, like Ven. Chuc Thahn said, to be happy without worry knowing this present moment is the best moment to be grateful and to be alive.

In visiting Dong Hung Temple, TCC Religious Studies Students were able to dispel their stereotypes concerning Buddhism. They were able to relate one on one with a living breathing Monk and able to gain actual understanding not through facts but personal experience. 

Thank you to the student’s who took time out of their busy schedule’s in order to share with us. We are grateful for this new relationship with the Religious Studies Class and look forward to more opportunities to share in the future.

By Aryan Karyn