BIOGRAPHY OF TỲ KHEO THÍCH PHỔ HÒA

BIOGRAPHY OF TY KHEO THICH PHO HOA

( i.e. Senior Leader-Founder of The Vietnamese Buddhists Youth Association )

Tỳ kheo Thích Phổ Hòa, the secular name is Phan Canh Tuan, born April 10, 1926 (Bính Dần – Year of Tiger), the son of Cư sĩ Nguyên Tấn Phan Cảnh Tú, a meritorious predecessor of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Songhai, Thua Thien Hue – Vietnam, and Ms. Nguyên Tố Khổng Thị Sâm.

Due to be born into a family of devoted and intensive Buddhist believers, just from the teenage Thích Phổ Hòa had been guided and educated by his father to practice and been close around at the temple’s door, soon received Tam Qui (1) Nag Geri (2), take a Buddhist name is Hang Liên.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:

1944: Studied at the Hue’s University of Pedagogy.
1932: Primary School at Paul Bert – Thua Thien, Hue.
1938: Attended in High School Khai Dinh (i.e. Quốc Học Huế Hue National School) in Thuan Hoa.
1946: Graduated Express Course of Pedagogy and was assigned to teach at the primary schools in Quang Tri countryside, Thua Thien – Hue.

ON RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP

1953: Graduated 3rd Course at Academic Military Thu Duc Reserve Officers. Served at 7 Infantry Division at Dinh Tuong (southwest of Southern Vietnam)
1966: Deputy Chief of Politic and War Unit at 7th Division, IV Army Corps.
1969 -1970: Promoted to Major rank, moved to the General Staff of Army Forces of Republic of Vietnam (Saigon)
Final rank was Lieutenant Colonel and serving at the General Staff of Armed Forces of Republic of Vietnam.

He served 22 years in Armed Forces.

After the event of April 1975, along with the destiny of veterans, officers of Army Forces of Republic of Vietnam, in which there are many Buddhist monk chaplains, Lieutenant Colonel Phan Canh Tuan, becomes “a prisoner of reform”, was detained and transferred through several camps in South Vietnam, then was exiled to the North on the train” Perfume River “, March 1977.

Total of his prison time are 12 years 8 months.

1987: Been released from prison. 5 years later, on November 22, 1993, he settled in U.S. A by program HO 36 (Humanity Operation) and residing in California.

ON FAMILY OF BUDDHIST’S ACTIVITIES:

It might say the life of youth leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was become fond of with FAMILY OF BUDDHISTS (Gia Đình Phật Tử). He had been one of the founders of Phật Hóa Phổ (Universalizing Buddhism movement), the former of Vietnam Buddhist Family today at home and overseas. He contributed at large for perfecting and developing Vietnam Buddhists Family in the United States in particular and in general, in Overseas for the past two decades.

BACKGROUND OF ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM

1947: As a youth leader holding a central role, He positively contributed in the quest of reorganization of Family of Phật Hóa Phổ, along with his friends as Vo Dinh Cuong, Phan Xuan Sanh, Van Dinh Hy, and Hoang Thi Kim Cuc …, (Family of Phật Hóa Phổ had been stopped from 1945 to 1946 because of war in his homeland)

Direct operating the activities of Family of Phật Hóa Phổ Hướng Thiện (Universalizing Buddhism Toward Goodness) – one of three family units first in the city of Hue.

Coaching for the Training Youth Leader Asoka Camp, the first one held from August 22 to 24.1948 at Truong Thanh Long – Hue.

1949: Member of the Guidance Board of Universalizing Buddhism in Central Vietnam (the former of Guidance Board of Buddhist Family later on)

1950:Member of Guidelines Board 1st Term (1950-1952), made the opening ceremony of the Songhai Council, Central Vietnam and the Vietnam Buddhist Studies at Tu Dam Pagoda in central Vietnam, Hue. It is in this ceremony, Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan and many brothers and sisters living at the same time had the honor to get sticking the White Lotus insignia first, privileged to the Youth Leaders leading the movement.

March 1951: Participated in the drafting of the first BYLAW of Vietnam Buddhist Family. The Bylaw then gets passed in the I Congress Youth Leader of Vietnam Buddhist Family at Tư Dam Pagoda – Hue, held from 24 to 26 April 1951. Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was a part of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Family’s delegate to attend.

Assuming the role of vice chief of the Training Camp Youth Leader Kim Cang, held in Hue in March 1951. This camp brought altogether Youth Leaders, who were the pioneer avant-garde of movement across Central – South – North of Vietnam, extending throughout the week. It may recognize that this is the first Youth Leaders Training Camp had the most important and the large scale since the day Vietnam Buddhist Family established.

1951-1952: Took the role of a coach to train the Youth Leaders of all levels as a team leader, a group leader and a delegate leader, which was held in many places, from Dong Hoi, Quang Tri, Thua Thien, Da Nang to Nha Trang, Ninh Thuan, Dalat; Luc Hoa Camp – Da Nang, Tinh Tấn Camp (Diligence) – Nha Trang and the Delegate Leader – Dalat.

1953: Despite still serving in the Army, Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Cảnh Tuan had make use to take advantage of weekly activities with Vietnam Buddhist Family Chanh Dao – Saigon, in South Vietnam, which was the Central Guidance Board, he held the role of the leader of Boy Group of this family.

At the same time, a member of the South Vietnamese Central Guidance Board, Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Cảnh Tuan usually held training camps in the Southwest Section and served as a coach for Youth Leader Training Camps along with the brother Tam Lac Nguyen Van Thuc, Thien Thanh Duong Xuan Duong, Tam Khuyen Ngo Van Mao, Thien Hien Duong Xuan Hien, who are the Youth Leaders had the first merit in the development of movement and training, coaching the Youth Leaders in South Vietnam, typical as the training camp: Training Course Youth Leader Asoka in Saigon (Phuoc Hoa Pagoda) – 1954; the Youth Leader Training Course 2nd Asoka in Can Tho – 1955.

1960: A Leader of Asoka Group acting at the Xa Loi Pagoda

1964: Chief of Buddhist Family Định Tường’s Guidance Board in Quang Hue region…

1973: He had the Congress of the Former Youth Leaders of Vietnam Buddhist Family held at the University of Van Hanh – Saigon nominate as Delegate Leader, then the event occurred in April, 1975.

His Activities in the United States:

Late November 1993, Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was settled in the United States under HO 36 (Humanity Operation program). Immediately later on, he was respect invited in the roles as following:

1994: Head of Research Group of Reforming Program, Materials and Method of Practicing of the Central Coordinating Committee of Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas. This is an established structure born on occasion of the national jamborees Huyen Quang and the teenage and youth branch Vien Lac held in San Jose, California, the predecessor of the Guidance Board of Vietnam Buddhist Family around the world today, and then concurrently chief of Phat Tam Luc Hoa Group.

He is one of the first members of a GROUP OF SPONTANEOUS BUDDHISTS LOOKING FORWARD TO HOMELAND. This is a working capital fund to support Buddhists brother and sister Lam Vien (Buddhists) in homeland founded on June 6.1994.

He is frequently working with Buddhist Family Chanh Phap in Garden Grove, California.

Working in the League of the Former Youth Leaders (Established on 12.12.1992)

On July 2nd & 3rd.1994: Attend Congress of Former U.S. National Youth Leaders at Hue Quang Temple, Santa Ana, California. In this congress, Former Youth Leaders League title now switched to Traditional Youth Leaders League and Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was nominated as Chairman of the Advisory Board. League Chief is Youth Leader Quang Khoai Tran Ngoc Lac.

Assuming the role of a coach for the Camp of Youth Leaders Loc Uyen Primary and Asoka Level I held by the Regional Guidance Board.

1995: A coach for the Training Camp of Youth Leaders Tsang II Level II, held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from August 31 to September 4.1995.

1996: Participating Buddhist Family’s Youth Leaders Congress Fifth in USA at the Hoa Nghiem Pagoda, Santa Ana, California, on April 4, 5, 6 and 7, Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was endorsed and trusted by congress for the position of Chairperson of the Advisory and Supervision Council of Vietnam Buddhist Family’ Guidance Board for the V term (1996-2000)

Late of this year, Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan took a vow to give up himself to leave home and become a monk in the Practicing and Learning Center in Hayward, Northern California, with the Master Thich Tu Luc and was given Buddhist Title is Thich Pho Hoa.

April 1997: Attending Vietnam Buddhist Family’s Conference of Coordinator Board Overseas I, held in the City of San Diego, California, United States. This conference went up to form the Interim Guidance Board of Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas; again Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was trusted for the position of Sponsor Board Chief, 1997-2000 term.

October 1997: A member of Organizing Committee of Practicing Course of Vietnam Buddhist Family in the United States, under guiding of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Lang Mai Songhai, held in San Diego, California.

Respect invited by the Guidance Board of Vietnam Buddhist Family Quang Duc to coach the Training Youth Leaders Joint Camp Asoka and Loc Uyen from November 25 to 28, 1999 at the Scout Camp Long Beach Area Council, California.

April 21, 22 & 23.2000: Attending II Congress Youth Leaders of Family of Vietnam Buddhists Overseas, held at Giac Vien Pagoda, Hanover, Germany. At this congress, the Interim Guidance Board of Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas was changed officially in the Guidance Board of Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas, its Chief was late Youth Leader Tam Chanh Cao Chanh Huu and Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan was invited to the role of Head of Sponsorship Committee for Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas.

Attend VI Congress of Vietnam Buddhist Family in the United States held from June 30 to July 3, 2000 at the Center for Study and Training Thich Quang Duc, in San Bernardino, California.

After receiving the Buddha rules to become a monk, Ty Kheo Thích Phổ Hòa, i.e. Youth Leader Hồng Liên Phan Cảnh Tuân, was supplied by Vietnam Buddhist Family’s Central Guidance Board in the U.S. a permanent resident and took a duty of operating Training and Studies Thich Quang Duc Center located in San Bernardino, California – in the role of Center Manager, starting October 1st, 2001.

March 5.2003: Invited to teach Level II Training Camp, III Tsang at Machos Los Ranchos School, Livermore, and North California.

April 10 & 11.2004: Attending Congress of Union Vietnam Buddhist Family held at Dieu Phap Pagoda, Monterey Park, California. However, this opportunity was not lucky enough to work out erasing the differences to become one “inseparable organization” as a wish of all Buddhists, united not done yet. Tỳ Kheo (Bhikkhus) Thich Phổ Hòa, his body residing at a place, but his devoted and compassioned heart cover all around, often go forth and back, sticking frequent in all activities of the Buddhists everywhere.

So, on July 13, 14 &15.2004: Bhikkhus Thich Pho Hoa attending VII Congress of Vietnam Buddhist Family in the United States held in Pháp Quang Pagoda, Grand Prairie, Texas. Serving as Chairman of Vietnam Buddhist Family’s Central Guidance Board to direct and supervise for the second term (2005-2008) in the United States. Its Chief was Youth Leader Nguyen Tinh Tran Tu Tin.

November 7, 8 & 9.2004: Attending the Congress Youth Leader of Vietnam Buddhist Family around the world and II Congress Youth Leader of Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas II, in Bodhgaya, India, in the position of Chief of Vietnam Buddhist Family Overseas’ Sponsorship Board.

June 19.2008: Ty Kheo Thich PHO HOA visited and comfort VIII Congress Youth Leader of Vietnam Buddhist Family in the United States, held in Nhu Lai Zen Temple (Tathagata), San Diego, California. This congress again trusts Youth Leader Chief Tam Kiem Bach Hoa Mai as its head.

Late 2010: Be aware his health gradually depleted, he thinks his sick body at the end of life will tackle Buddhist brothers and sisters, who love and care Him, Ty Kheo Thich PHO HOA left the Practicing and Learning Centre Thich Quang Duc to move on resting in Highland Palms Healthcare Center, San Bernardino, California, with the quiet support of the nephew and his wife, son of the founder of the movement, is Dr. Minh Tam Le Dinh Tham, as well as in here all the time, there is the utmost care of your whole-hearted devotion of Buddhist Dr. Tam Nguyen Quang Hoa Vy.

On February 9, 2011, i.e. January 7 in the Lunar Year of Cat, Thích PHO HOA naturally passed away in peace at Highland, San Bernardino, California at age 86.

HIS HISTORY OF BECOMING A MONK

His nature and heart always has a wish to become a monk. His aspiration for leaving home to become a monk is a permanent dream. This dream comes true when he made a fateful visit to Hayward Buddhist Center in Northern California. Its Venerable gave him a big affection and encouraging. Immediately following that visit, in September 1996, Youth Leader Hong Lien Phan Canh Tuan has vowed to surrender himself for Buddha and kneel down before Venerable Thích Từ Lực as his master. After a time entering practice, Sa di (Novice-monk) Pho Hoa in 2000 was ordained and receiving The Complete Rules (Cụ Túc Giới) at Quang Nghiem Pagoda, Stockton, northern California, and from now on becoming Đại Đức (Daitoku) “PHO HOA”. His wish to leave the secular life but not forget the karma Áo Lam (Buddhist,) expressed in his vow in the ceremony of shaving off hair: “Today, September 14, 1996, i.e. August 2 Lunar Year of Rat is the most important day in my life. That is a day I keep dreaming all the time and waiting in decades ago. Today, full of good conditionality, I would bow before the Buddha, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I also prostrate to my beloved Elders, the Honorable Monks, and Dear brothers and sisters and relatives, I seek to be ordained and consecrated complete the rest of my life for the aspiration to learn, practice, control myself in order carrying out a dream I embrace several decades. From now on I determine to learn, to serve youth throughout the activities of Vietnam Buddhist Family… “

After assuming the role of Head of Training and Practicing Center Thich Quang Duc, in addition to the duties of an ordained monk, Tỳ Kheo Thich PHO HOA keep attaching to all activities with the Lam Vien (Buddhists) around the world. For all, Ty Kheo Thich PHO HOA is both a teacher and a model brother, but his nature is very simple and easy to close. After becoming a monk, his days are, like a vow he made previously in the leave home to become a monk ceremony, to shake off all joy, angry, love and hate to live near, to live with, and to live for the mysterious Buddha and for Sacred Ideal of Vietnam Buddhists Family organization.

Thus, one shoulder is a monk, the other is a big chief, so on both his shoulder carry a total great love, not only for Pháp Lữ Sa Mon (Faith) but also for all of the Brotherhood Lam Vien, showing full of no-ego spirit, no constraint, no separate. Calling Him as Fellow PHO HOA is so familiar with a call for endless affection that brothers and Sister Ao Lam have granted to Him respectfully.

And for that reason for today, the absence of Thích PHO HOA LIKE is a big loss, not only for Buddha, but in the family Ao Lam, it is an infinite emptiness, hard to get anything to fill up!

Age 86, the work, honor and career accomplished in the fullness of subjects, Buddhist Hong Liên PHAN CANH TUAN had tasted enough life’s experience along with the fate of homeland and fate of FAITH ups and downs, understanding so well the interrelating of the human life to live in harmony with everyone around. The brilliant position and fame not make Buddhist Hong Liên Phan Canh Tuan fall off and sunken; imprisonment not made Buddhist Hong Lien embracing enmity. Is it the embodiment of the BI-TRI-DUNG! (Tragic, Intellectual and Brave)

Then 15 years living in the house of Dharma, side by side with the loving monks, Ven Thich PHO HOA has shown good life as one, with the vow: “the morning bring joy to people, the evening help the people from suffering.” Is it the embodiment of the HÒA-TIN-VUI! (Harmony – Faith – Happiness)

Forever Happy Namo Bodhisattva Ma Ha Tat.

(1)Tam qui. Trisarana, Sarana-gamana (S). The three surrenders to, “or formulas of refuge” in the Three Precious Ones Tam Bảo, i.e. to Buddha Phật, the Dharma Pháp, the Sangha Tăng. The three formulas are Qui y Phật Buddham saranam gacchàmi, Qui y Pháp Dharmam saranam gacchàmi, Qui y Tăng Sangham saranam gacchàmi. It is the most primitive formula of the early Buddhism. The surrender is to the Buddha as teacher Sư, the Law as medicine Dược, the Ecclesia as friends Hữu. These are known as the Tam Qui Y. Threefold refuge: I take my refuge in the Buddha, in the Dharma, in the Songhai.
(2)Ngũ giới. Pancasìla (S). The five commandments, or precepts, against: (1) Sát sinh, Prànàtipàta, Killing; (2) Trộm cắp, Adattàdàna, Stealing; (3) Tà dâm, Kàmamithyàcàra, Adultery; (4) Vọng ngữ, Mrsàvàca, Lying; (5) Uống rượu, Suràmaireya, Use of intoxicants.

( SOURCE : Hoadamonline.com)