Dinh Thanh on Transforming Resentment into Compassion
Brother Dinh Thanh, reflecting on his journey of transformation within engaged ethics, shares a profound experience inspired by the teachings of Thay.
Last year, shortly after ordaining as a monk, Brother Dinh Thanh sought to embody the concept of “Beloved Community,” popularized by Martin Luther King, through a calligraphy crafted by his ordination brother, Brother Dinh Tuc.
Initially effective, the reminder of inter-being eventually faded into familiarity, prompting a renewal of its intended message.
During the summer, while chanting Namo Avalokiteshvaraya, Brother Dinh Thanh had an intuitive realization.
He decided to extend compassion to individuals in political, media, and financial spheres whom he harbored resentment toward for their harmful actions.
Seeking to connect with their humanity, he collected photos capturing their most humane moments and displayed them alongside the calligraphy, symbolizing an embrace of their presence in his “Beloved Community.”
This act of inclusion and compassion served as a profound prayer for reconciliation and transformation.
