As the year drew to a close, just two days before the arrival of the new year, I found myself seeking tranquility and meaning amid life’s fast pace. After my regular swimming session—a necessary part of my Ironman training with an approaching race just two months away—I joined my mother and aunt on a visit to Ba La Pagoda. What awaited us there was an experience filled with peace, reflection, and a deep connection to both the living and those who have passed on.
A Garden of Familiar Beauty
As we entered the pagoda grounds, a wave of calmness washed over me. The surroundings were enchanting, with a beautiful garden filled with wildflowers in hues of purple, pink, red, and white. These flowers felt familiar, evoking memories of simpler times and places where nature spoke softly to the heart.
The vibrant yet gentle beauty of the garden seemed to mirror the tranquility of the pagoda itself. Here, amidst the blossoms and greenery, time felt slower, each moment inviting mindfulness and gratitude.
Offering and Connection
We joined Nun Viên Dung in arranging flowers and fruits to decorate the worship places for Buddha. The act of preparing these offerings was meditative, a humble gesture of reverence and appreciation.
This visit held special significance for our family. A few months earlier, my cousin—who was my age—tragically passed away in a car accident. During her life, she pursued a monastic path while working as a nurse. In honoring her spiritual aspirations, our family entrusted her spirit to Ba La Pagoda, believing that she could continue her practice from the other side. This belief is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, where the afterlife is seen as a continuation rather than an end.
Lessons from the Nun
Sitting with Nun Viên Dung, we listened to her teachings about life, death, and transformation. Her presence was calming, her demeanor radiant with joy and serenity. She spoke with wisdom, reminding us that death is not an end but a transformation into another form of being.
My aunt, unable to hold back her emotions, shed tears as we remembered my cousin. The nun gently comforted us, sharing that my cousin had not truly left us. She had simply moved to a different stage of existence, leaving behind her daughter, Cẩm Trà, who continues to be a cherished part of our family.
The nun’s words resonated deeply. They were a reminder of the impermanence of life and the beauty of acceptance. Her teachings offered solace, helping us see that love and care transcend the physical boundaries of life and death.
A Gift of Kindness
As our time at the pagoda came to an end and lunchtime approached, we prepared to leave. Nun Viên Dung, in a gesture of kindness and connection, gifted me a small cactus plant. It was a simple yet meaningful token, symbolizing resilience and growth.
Although this was our first meeting, I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with her, as though we had known each other for ages. Her warmth and wisdom left a lasting impression on me.
Reflections on a Peaceful Visit
The visit to Ba La Pagoda was a gentle reminder of the importance of finding moments of peace and connection in our lives. In the quietude of the pagoda, surrounded by nature’s beauty and the teachings of a wise nun, I found solace and clarity.
Life is often filled with challenges and uncertainties, but places like Ba La Pagoda offer a sanctuary for reflection and healing. They remind us to cherish our connections—both with the living and those who have transformed into another existence.
As I cared for the small cactus gifted by Nun Viên Dung, I carried with me the lessons of that day: to embrace life’s impermanence, to nurture resilience, and to find peace in the present moment. In this way, the journey to Ba La Pagoda became a meaningful chapter in the story of my life’s ongoing journey.
In honoring my cousin’s memory, cherishing the teachings of Nun Viên Dung, and finding beauty in the wildflowers of Ba La Pagoda, I found a renewed sense of purpose and tranquility—a peaceful beginning to the new year ahead.