Compassionate meals offered by Dong Nai Buddhism

Dong Nai provincial Buddhism is maintaining or joining hands to run over 40 “compassionate kitchens” across the province.

Members of the Provincial Charity Association serve free “Zero-dong lunch” at 102 Hung Dao Vuong Street, Tran Bien Ward. Photo: Van Truyen

This is one of the major humanitarian and charitable activities that Dong Nai Buddhism has carried out for many years. It contributes to supporting students, patients and their family members at medical facilities, as well as freelance laborers, helping reduce part of their cost of living.

Waking up early, saving money to sustain free kitchens

Depending on the capacity of each pagoda or monastery, each kitchen operated by Dong Nai Buddhism serves from 1 to 5 days per week.

For example, once a month, the kitchen at Truc Lam Pagoda (Xuan Loc Commune) starts preparing meals as early as 4:00 a.m. Thanks to ingredients pre-processed from the previous afternoon, the cooking and portioning are completed quite quickly. By around 7:00 a.m., the meals are delivered to hospitals to be handed out to patients and their family members.

Venerable Thich Hue Quang, the abbot of Truc Lam Pagoda, shared: In addition to the fixed number of meals delivered to medical facilities, the pagoda also brings food directly to elderly people in difficult circumstances who cannot travel, and we also set aside some portions for freelance laborers who come to eat at the pagoda.

On August 17, the monks and Buddhists of Tinh Chau Nhu Y Pagoda (Tran Bien Ward) distributed 1,000 meal portions to patients and caregivers at six hospitals in Dong Nai Province, Ho Chi Minh City, and to freelance laborers in Tran Bien Ward and Bien Hoa Ward.

To maintain the monthly free meal program, Venerable Thich Quy Tri, abbot of Tinh Chau Nhu Y Pagoda, explained: In addition to contributing labor, Buddhists save part of their salaries, pensions, and profits from small businesses to buy ingredients for the kitchen. On cooking days, everyone comes early to prepare, portion, and deliver the meals.

Nguyen Oanh (a resident of Tran Bien Ward), who has been involved with the loving meal kitchen for many years, shared: From reality, we saw that patients, their family members, and freelance workers need nutritious meals to recover and regain their strength. Therefore, the pagoda and Buddhists decided to prepare savory dishes so everyone could eat more easily and stay full longer.

“Promoting the spirit of serving the nation and the people, Dong Nai Buddhism has actively joined hands with local authorities and the Fatherland Front at all levels in implementing social welfare activities, including organizing and maintaining loving kitchens. In the future, Dong Nai Buddhism will continue to sustain and improve the quality of every meal provided.”

Venerable THICH THIEN TRI, Chief of Office, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Board, Dong Nai Province

For many years, pagodas across Dong Nai have also organized “compassionate meals” for people with disabilities, the elderly, and freelance workers during major Buddhist and cultural events such as Vesak Day (Buddha’s Birthday), Vu Lan Festival, and Tet (Lunar New Year).

Venerable Thich Minh Tri, abbot of Phuc Lam Pagoda (Tam Hiep Ward), explained: On these occasions, when people come to receive gifts, the pagoda also organizes a small meal for everyone to share. Many gift recipients live far away, so the meal at the pagoda helps ensure they don’t miss a meal.

Nguyen Bao Tran, Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Association for the Blind, added: We are very happy to receive the thoughtful care that the pagodas provide for our members every time we come to receive support.

Cooking for students

In addition to supporting hospitals and freelance workers, many kitchens run by Dong Nai Buddhism also focus on helping students.

For many years, seven days a week, the kitchen at Linh Quang Pagoda (Phu Hoa Commune) has been preparing 130–200 breakfast portions per day and 200 lunch portions on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month. Some of these meals are delivered to medical facilities in Dinh Quan Commune and Phu Hoa Commune to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers. Others are reserved for students who come to the pagoda to eat breakfast before school and lunch after classes.

Venerable Thich Hue Tri, abbot of Linh Quang Pagoda, explained: Some students live far from school, so by the time they get home, it’s already past mealtime. Others have parents who work from early morning until late at night, so their meals are often just instant noodles. The pagoda cooks meals and informs teachers so they can tell students to come and eat. In some difficult cases, we even allow them to bring extra portions home for their younger siblings.

Another notable point is that many monks, nuns, and Buddhists in Dong Nai who can’t afford to operate their own loving kitchens contribute financially and voluntarily to join community-run kitchens that provide free meals for those in need.

Nguyen Phu Cuong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Charity Association, shared: “The association currently has 500 members across 11 affiliated chapters. Many of these chapters are located at pagodas, and many members are Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay followers. Through our ‘Zero-dong lunch’ program, held every Monday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Buddhist charity chapters and members contribute very actively”.

At the Provincial Charity Association’s kitchen (102 Hung Dao Vuong Street, Tran Bien Ward), in addition to freelance laborers, many students also come to enjoy free meals.

“The province highly appreciates the contributions of Dong Nai’s Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers in effectively supporting social welfare activities. We also hope that in the coming time, the Buddhist community will continue to participate, advocate, and encourage Buddhist followers to engage actively in charitable and humanitarian efforts to support the community”.

TRAN THANH HOA, Director of the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs

Nguyen Thanh Thao, a university student in Tran Bien Ward, shared: “I work part-time at a drink shop near the ‘Zero-dong lunch’ venue. In the past two months, I’ve saved money on 16 lunch meals by coming here instead of buying boxed food. For students like me, living far from home while studying and working part-time, these free meals really help me save a small amount each month. I hope the kitchen will continue for a long time”.

By: Van Truyen
Translated by: Quynh Nhu - Thu Ha