Monastics actively contribute to the community

Many Buddhist nuns in Dong Nai Province have actively participated in the “Joining hands for the poor – Leaving no one behind” movement. This initiative, implemented by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province and its member organizations, aims to mobilize contributions for the “Fund for the poor” at all levels.

Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Tri, Deputy Head of the Provincial Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbess of Dai Giac Pagoda (Tran Bien Ward), presents gifts to disadvantaged residents in Ta Lai Commune, Dong Nai Province. Photo: Van Truyen.

These activities contribute to spreading the spirit of "Dharma - Nation - Socialism" of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Supporting students in difficult circumstances

Despite her advanced age, Venerable Nun Thich Nu Kim Son, Patron of the Nuns’ Subcommittee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Dong Nai Province Chapter and Vice Head of the Quan Am Monastery Management Board (Bien Hoa Ward), continues to participate in local programs actively. She attends these events to present gifts directly to disadvantaged residents and students who are overcoming challenges.

For instance, during relief missions for people in the Central and Northern regions affected by floods, Venerable Nun Thich Nu Kim Son was part of the delegation from the Provincial Red Cross Society and the VBS Provincial Executive Board. She directly provided aid, including gifts for affected residents, students, and their families.

Venerable Nun Kim Son stated that during the recent charity drive, upon learning that many students from central provinces faced academic difficulties and were at risk of dropping out, she contacted their respective universities. She now supports five students with 1 million VND per person per month throughout their studies.

Every year, Venerable Nun Kim Son also faithfully contributes to scholarship and education-support initiatives launched by local authorities and the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society. According to Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, Vice President of the provincial Red Cross Society, during the annual Humanitarian Month campaign, Venerable Nun Kim Son donates funds and bicycles, which are then presented to hardworking students in need.

One of the recipients this year is Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoang, an elementary school student from Tam Hiep Ward, who shared: “I was thrilled to receive this encouragement from Venerable Nun Kim Son. I will study harder to live up to everyone’s support.”

Also actively engaged in promoting education and talent in recent times is Venerable Nun Thich Nu Nhat Khuong, Patron of the Nuns’ Subcommittee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Dong Nai Province Chapter and Abbess of Quang Minh Pagoda (Binh Phuoc Ward). Since the beginning of this year, in the spirit of Buddhist compassion, Nun Nhat Khuong has participated in a range of charitable activities with a total budget of over 2.6 billion VND. These include constructing community bridges to facilitate easier travel for residents and students in areas divided by small streams. At the same time, disadvantaged students have received scholarships and support to help their families build solid homes, enabling them to attend school with greater peace of mind.

Venerable Nun Nhat Khuong affirmed that she will continue these efforts in the time ahead, with the hope of ensuring that students from disadvantaged families can pursue their education under better conditions.

Bringing joy to families in need

Alongside their efforts to promote education, Buddhist nuns in Dong Nai Province also mobilize social resources to build "charity houses," helping those in difficult circumstances secure stable housing. Throughout the year, they extend compassion by distributing aid packages to residents.

According to Venerable Thich Thien Tri, Chief of the Office of the Executive Board of the VBS in Dong Nai Province, the Buddhist community funds the repair or construction of around 70 sturdy homes each year in response to calls from Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at various levels. In addition, local pagodas and the provincial Executive Board contribute to joint housing programs with local authorities. One of the most active contributors is Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Tri, Vice President of the provincial Executive Board and Abbess of Dai Giac Pagoda in Tran Bien Ward. For example, when the provincial Executive Board supported Dien Bien Province in building 22 permanent homes, five of them were funded directly by Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Tri. She also donates annually to make at least one permanent home within Dong Nai Province.

To recognize the outstanding contributions of Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Tri, Venerable Nun Kim Son, and Venerable Nun Nhat Khuong, the Executive Board of the VBS in Dong Nai Province has recently proposed that the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee honor these three individuals for their dedicated efforts in poverty-alleviation initiatives in 2025.

Venerable Thich Thien Tri, Chief of the Office of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai Province 

Venerable Thich Thien Tri, Chief of Office of the VBS Provincial Executive Board, stated that the four major annual charity drives of the Dong Nai Buddhist Sangha are held during Vu Lan Festival, Buddha's Birthday, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Lunar New Year. During each drive, Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Tri coordinates with the provincial VFF Committee and local authorities to distribute 300 to 500 gifts, valued between  500,000 VND and 1,000,000 VND each, to support residents.

Venerable Nun Kim Son also supports the construction of at least one permanent home annually for disadvantaged households, and participates in fundraising campaigns organized by the provincial Red Cross to help expand housing support for families facing hardship.

Among the households supported by Venerable Nun Kim Son is the family of Mrs. K’Nhung, an ethnic Ma resident of Dinh Quan Commune. Without farmland and working irregular jobs to raise two young children, her family was unable to build a permanent home. She shared her joy upon receiving assistance from Venerable Nun Kim Son, along with local organizations and authorities, to fund her new house.

Similarly, Venerable Nun Nhat Khuong has been very active in disaster relief efforts, organizing aid missions and providing financial assistance to residents in central provinces affected by storms, with a total funding of over 3.2 billion VND. In 2025, she is also continuing programs that provide food and essential supplies to lonely elderly individuals and people with disabilities facing extreme hardship.

Thanks to their sustained contributions to the community, Venerable Nun Thich Nu Dieu Tri, Venerable Nun Kim Son, and Venerable Nun Nhat Khuong have been recognized many times by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, the provincial People’s Committee, the provincial Fatherland Front Committee, and the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Thuc Oanh, Minho