Buddhist Monk enrolls at Vol State to help followers

By Hunter Conner

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Thung Ly wakes up at 5 a.m. in his home, the Phuoc Binh Monastery, just outside of Gallatin, Tenn and begins his routine meditation for as many as three hours.

Next, he eats breakfast and studies his Buddhist teachings, before driving to Volunteer State Community College to attend his 10:30 computer applications class.

That’s right: a Buddhist student is enrolled here at Vol State. Ly is not just Buddhist. He is actually a Buddhist monk studying psychology to better help those who seek him for guidance at the monastery.

“I think after my studies of psychology, I can help the children and people that come here,” said Ly.

While Ly is working toward his goal in psychology, the Sinhgad, Vietnam native also believes that interacting with people on campus will help him brush up on his English too.

“I am now a U.S. citizen, so I must learn better English, if I am going to help people who come to me,” said Ly.

Growing up in South Vietnam, Ly decided that he wanted to be a monk at a very young age.

“I looked up to some of the monks in Vietnam, and I liked them. They were always very quiet and very calm,” he said.

At the age of nine Ly participated in his training to become a teacher in Buddhism. He continued to study in Vietnam until he left for India due to the communist government.

Eventually Ly was invited to America by Buddhist citizens in need of a teacher, where he has spent the last seven years.

“I will return to my country when communism is no more. Until then, I’ll support America,” he said.

Ly has since opened the Phuoch Binh Monastery, which is funded solely on donations by those he teaches.

“Being a monk, I cannot have a job,” said Ly.

Not having a job is just one of the many rules to which Ly must adhere. Since he holds the title of a monk, Ly cannot marry nor have children.

“If I ever wanted to start a family, I must stop being a monk. Taking care of your family means less time devoted to Buddha,” said Ly.

Ly must also live a strictly vegetarian diet, as Buddhist monks don’t believe in killing or consuming animals that once lived.

Ly also said he is very grateful that he can freely practice his religious beliefs in America, and that Buddhist morals are not very different than Christian ones. He said he believes that both religions could coexist.

“We encourage people to be very open-minded, and to respect others. We welcome different beliefs, and we love all people,” said Venerable E. Nanda, a very close friend to Ly, and also a fellow monk, from Sri Lanka. Nanda frequently visits the monastery to worship with Ly, as well as help others in need.

If anyone is interested in visiting the Phouch Binh to study with Ly or meditate, it is located at 1046 Louisville Hwy. in Millersville, Tenn.

10 Responses to Buddhist Monk enrolls at Vol State to help followers

Sandra Reply

November 26, 2012 at 9:48 am

Buddhist monastries all over the world need to stir up their conscience to stop viscious and racist marches, especially their ruling classces in countries like Burma and Sri Lanka where the violence is basically in the name of great Buddhism.

In many instances, Buddhist clergy were responsible for attacks on places of worships and assasination of some leaders.

For instance, Sri Lankan Constitution is amended several times, but still fortifies;
“The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost placeand, accordingly, it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.”

Thank you
- Editor Reply
  
  November 30, 2012 at 11:30 am
  
  This is the same with all religions. Wars have been fought and people have died for Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc. It isn’t fair of anyone to attack a certain religion, such as Buddhism, for those who follow it erroneously. The fact is that anyone should be entitled to believe or NOT to believe in whatever they choose to. People who commit violent acts in the name of religion, are not truly lost.
sasana Reply

November 27, 2012 at 8:24 pm

it truly encouraging and inspirational . We must sacrifice our self interests and everything for the welfare of others .
Grayson Reply

November 29, 2012 at 9:07 pm

I love mindfulness! I would like to meet up with Ly one day. I live in Adairville, Kentucky though. Ly, feel free to send me an email at gforeman1@volstate.edu.
Stacey Allen Reply

November 30, 2012 at 1:19 pm

What a wonderful story, WELCOME to VSCC Thung Ly!
Matthew Reply

December 2, 2012 at 2:46 pm

This is truly one of the blessings of being an American, people have the opportunity to worship as they please. I admire the devotion of this man, we all should be willing to sacrifice it all for the one we love/worship.

I am mildly concerned over the the last phrase-

“If anyone is interested in visiting the Phouch Binh to study with Ly or meditate, it is located at 1046 Louisville Hwy. in Millersville, Tenn.”

I am Baptist and have yet to hear the promotion of a Baptist Church via this publication. Now I am not in any way offended by this article; but I do think that if you are going to promote one place of worship, you should promote others as well. Just a thought.
Debbie Kitchens Reply

December 3, 2012 at 6:07 pm

Welcome, Venerable Ly!
Deb Moore Reply

December 4, 2012 at 11:04 am

Editor — Thank you for your thoughtful response above. I’m so glad that Ly has joined our campus. Every person we meet from a different culture offers the opportunity for an entirely different kind of education. Thanks for this story.
Amanda Reply

December 13, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Education is very important, as it is something no one can take away from you. I am happy that Ly has taken it upon himself to educate himself outside of his religion, but still holds true to his religion! Good luck, Thung!

I agree with the editor. There are people that, everyday, commit vicious acts in the name of a particular religion. However, we shouldn’t judge other religions by these people, since they do not speak for the entire religion. In most every religion, the stronghold of their views is peace amongst humanity. It is not fair that others judge those who are not connected with those crimes committed, especially when they have no control over the masses.
christie Reply

January 25, 2013 at 11:52 am

Tried the link for medditation. Dident work for me. I have been wanting to go to a center since I moved here three yrs ago and havent been able to find any. Can someonee please help!