(VOVworld) - Since Monk Thích Chúc Tiếp became the Head of Huống Pagoda in Đồng Hỷ district, Thai Nguyen province, 3 years ago, he has made the pagoda a shelter for homeless children, offering them a caring and kindhearted family.
Huong Pagoda is located on a hill beside the Cầu River in Huong Thuong commune. Monk Tiep said before coming to this pagoda, he was a lecturer at the Buddhology College in the southern province of Ninh Thuan. In 2010, the Thai Nguyen Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Committee invited him to become Head of Huong Pagoda. His kindheartedness and desire to help disadvantaged children had led monk Tiep to care for 15 children in the pagoda."It’s difficult for parents to bring up one child. It’s even harder for the pagoda to take care of many children. Each of them comes from a different region and culture. I have to create a close bond to encourage them. Sometimes they feel disheartened and I try to listen to, understand and satisfy their needs. Ignorance and indifference are not part of the Buddhist ideology. I stay close to the children to inspire their faith in life and their joy in the pagoda", monk Tiep says.
Looking at the innocent children playing in the pagoda’s yard, it’s hard to imagine their unfortunate life. Some of them lost both parents. Others’ parents are too poor to take care of them, or are in prison. Living in Huong Pagoda with Monk Tiep, the children have a new family with brothers and sisters in a similar situation. Tran Long Hai, who has been living here for 2 years, says his poor parents can’t afford to feed him or pay for his schooling. "The monk takes care of everything for us. He buys us what we need and takes us out to play. He gives us warm clothes and blankets. He pours comfort and security into our hearts."
Duong Van Minh, a local resident, says people here appreciate monk Tiep’s kindheartedness and charitable acts. "More than 10 children are living here. They are in different school grades. The monk organizes their timetable to eat, study, and recite prayers. He says when the children mature, they will be free to decide their own future. He attends to their meals and sleep like a devoted father," Minh says.
Despite many difficulties, monk Tiep says he considers the children’s happiness, health and good study his ultimate joy. "I hope the children will continue their studies. If any of them has a calling, they will follow the religious life. The others will have the knowledge and morality to serve society. I wish I could upgrade the house to accommodate more children."
The children say they are lucky to grow up surrounded by love in Huong Pagoda and get the opportunity to go to school.