Sharing with people in need

Every week, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of Truc Lam Long Duc Zen Monastery (Long Thanh commune, Dong Nai province) organize at least one humanitarian charity activity with diverse forms, scales, and varying levels of assistance to support people in difficult circumstances.

Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan gives gifts to people in difficult circumstances in Suoi Trau hamlet, Long Thanh commune. Photo: Van Truyen

Therefore, in recent times, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of the Zen monastery have become a trusted "humanitarian address" in local social welfare efforts.

One charity activity per week

Specifically, on the full moon day each month, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists prepare around 300 free meals to distribute directly to local freelance workers. For elderly seniors with mobility issues and individuals with disabilities who are unable to come to the distribution point, the charity kitchen delivers meals directly to their homes.

At the same time, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan organizes gift-giving for nearly 150 individuals in challenging circumstances across communes and wards every month as part of the program "Each individual linked to a humanitarian address" launched by the Red Cross Society. In particular, during the annual school year opening and closing ceremonies, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of Truc Lam Long Duc Zen Monastery present gifts to students facing hardship and those who overcome difficulties to achieve strong academic results, making an active contribution to local education promotion efforts.

In addition, whenever communes, wards, hamlets, or residential areas in the province organize gift drives for residents as part of community activities, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists are always ready to accept the invitation and arrange for the gifts to be delivered to the event location. As a result, there are weeks when Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of the Zen monastery are present at up to five locations, distributing essential supplies as heartfelt gifts to the people.

According to Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan, caring for and sharing in the hardships of the people, as well as accompanying local authorities in implementing community activities, is the responsibility of every Buddhist practitioner. Therefore, whenever connected by the authorities, the Venerable and the Buddhists always make an effort to participate.

Nguyen Tan Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Long Thanh commune, stated that in recent times, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan has actively supported the locality in undertaking humanitarian and charitable activities. At the same time, he has taken a responsible part in environmental protection efforts by planting trees, organizing clean-up activities inside and around the Zen monastery, and encouraging Buddhist families to maintain hygiene at home and act with civility in public spaces.

Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of Truc Lam Long Duc Zen Monastery have actively joined hands to support people with low incomes. The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province hopes that in the coming time, it will continue to receive contributions from Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan in local social welfare activities.

Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province LUU THI HA

Bringing joy to the people

In addition to regular charitable activities, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of the Zen monastery also actively participate in campaigns to support those experiencing poverty, assist individuals affected by natural disasters, and organize free spiritual activities for the community.

For example, when hamlets in Long Thanh commune and several neighboring communes organized the Great National Unity Festival in 2025, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan provided hundreds of gifts to encourage residents in challenging circumstances across residential areas. Nguyen Thi Hanh, a resident of Long Thanh commune, expressed her pleasure with the gift presented by Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of Truc Lam Long Duc Zen Monastery during the Great National Unity Festival. It was a significant source of spiritual encouragement for households facing hardship like hers.

In addition, when Dong Nai province launched a campaign to support the “For the Poor” Fund, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and Buddhists donated 200 million VND to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province. Currently, as the entire province organizes activities to mobilize and raise funds to support people in the Northern and Central provinces affected by natural disasters, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and Buddhists are jointly contributing to purchase food and provisions to send to the affected people.

Alongside material support activities, Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan and the Buddhists of the Zen monastery also place special emphasis on bringing spiritual joy to children and residents in the locality. On occasions such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, and International Children's Day, they organize free culinary and cultural exchange programs. At each event, attendees have the opportunity to listen, watch, and interact with Buddhist practitioners who are well-known artists admired by the public, invited to perform by Venerable Thich Dat Ma Nghiem Thuan.

In addition, on every holiday and Tet (Lunar New Year holiday), Truc Lam Long Duc Zen Monastery is one of the beautifully decorated places in the locality and is open to the public for free, allowing visitors to come and have fun, take souvenir photos, and enjoy the atmosphere. This endeavor contributes to improving the cultural and spiritual life of the local people.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho