pipn_t's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Very good book, highly recommend. Sister Chan Khong had such an interesting life, and it was very inspiring to read about all her activities.
seanius's review against another edition
5.0
The autobiography of a Vietnamese Buddhist nun, for decades exiled in France, yet never ceasing to find ways to help her homeland.
Chan Khong is a practitioner of 'engaged Buddhism', for her this is mainly practical social work to provide the basics to the poor. The text is also a political history of one perspective of the American-Vietnamese war and the Communist lock-down that followed, accompanied by Western complacency.
The author is an extraordinary peace activist and fund raiser, repeatedly putting others first and never compromising her values. Had she taken a different course in life, she could easily have been a top politician or CEO, but that is not where her heart took her.
Many times she risked her life and physical safety to help those in need, such as Vietnamese boat people or near-starving peasants in war-torn Vietnam. Anyone who has heard her speaking will recall her warm energy and engaging personality. Her approach to life's difficulties, and also to difficult people, is an example to us all.
The text is also somewhat playful: she even pokes some fun at her far more famous and renowned lifetime mentor Thich Nhat Hanh. In her practical activity and her lack of conceit, she seems to excel even this mentor.
Worth a read for anyone interested in the Vietnamese perspective of the war years and aftermath, or interested in how Buddhism can be practiced in modern life. Her story is also an example to young people (especially young women) on how to achieve change in a conservative male-dominated organisation, without resorting to confrontation or tribal politics.
Chan Khong is a practitioner of 'engaged Buddhism', for her this is mainly practical social work to provide the basics to the poor. The text is also a political history of one perspective of the American-Vietnamese war and the Communist lock-down that followed, accompanied by Western complacency.
The author is an extraordinary peace activist and fund raiser, repeatedly putting others first and never compromising her values. Had she taken a different course in life, she could easily have been a top politician or CEO, but that is not where her heart took her.
Many times she risked her life and physical safety to help those in need, such as Vietnamese boat people or near-starving peasants in war-torn Vietnam. Anyone who has heard her speaking will recall her warm energy and engaging personality. Her approach to life's difficulties, and also to difficult people, is an example to us all.
The text is also somewhat playful: she even pokes some fun at her far more famous and renowned lifetime mentor Thich Nhat Hanh. In her practical activity and her lack of conceit, she seems to excel even this mentor.
Worth a read for anyone interested in the Vietnamese perspective of the war years and aftermath, or interested in how Buddhism can be practiced in modern life. Her story is also an example to young people (especially young women) on how to achieve change in a conservative male-dominated organisation, without resorting to confrontation or tribal politics.
kollyflower's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
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