The Sangha at Pagoda Phat Hue is an ever evolving mix of international members from all walks of life. The growing Sangha of six nuns, thirteen monks, and many resident lay devotees diligently work towards cultivating their hearts and creating a harmonious environment in which to live.

The Phat Hue Sangha is working towards finding the potential and full capacity for each individual practitioner. The supportive group of Vietnamese, American, French, Italian and German students participate in daily Dharma classes including Majjima Nikaya study, Buddhist Hístory class, Theravada Buddhism, and Tuesday night Zen workshops. Along with these Dharma classes the novice Sangha has their own ceremonial activities such as afternoon prostrations, group mantra recitation and nightly meditation.

The Vietnamese community surrounding Pagoda Phat Hue has sustained a rooted faith and amazing commitment to the survival and healthy growth of the now six year old temple. The Pagoda hosts many different events including talks from Buddhist masters, public festivals, traditional Buddhist ceremonies, Buddha’s relic exhibitions and Zen seminars. For the assistance of the large and devoted community, the Pagoda as a whole is greatly thankful.

The local (and not so local) German community reaches over two-hundred Zen students and Buddhist practitioners. The Zen groups have evolved into gradually opening, fun, and yet serious practitioners as they adapt the Buddhist methods to their own Western lives. Attending Zen seminars and joining in the diligent efforts for self transformation and realization is truly an ỉnspỉring experience.

The Phat Hue Sangha also extends beyond the Temple walls from Taiwan to the United States. Each individual Zen group in Frankfurt, Zurich, Taipei, Hartford, and Philadelphia have their own unique cultural feel. This gives students a special opportunity to apply Buddhist methods to their personal lives. Once a year the groups come together for an intensive winter retreat with guest teachers on a broad array of topics. The seminars create a warm unity that allows the students to share experiences and truly feel the support of the entire extended Sangha.

The Phat Hue Sangha has had the great privilege to receive personal audiences from numerous great Masters from various traditions such as His Holiness XIV Dalai Lama, His Holiness the XVII Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Venerable Ajahn Brahmavamso, His Holiness Sakya Trinzin Rinpoche, His Holiness Tulku Lodro, Ven. Thubten Chodron, The Very Venerable Kechen Thrangu Rinpoche, Venerable Dhammadipa, Sayadaw Ven. Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa, Ven. Thich Thinh Dao, Geshe Ngawang Thapkhe, and the resident Bhante Punnaratana. We are deeply thankful for all of our teachers and the blessings we have received.

Our ordained monks and nuns:

Thich Thien Son, Abbot of Pagoda Phat Hue

Thich Quang Tuan

Thich Tu Tri

Thich Thien Thay

Thich Minh Thong

Thich Hue Bao

Thich Hue Giac

Thich Trung Luu

“Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!”

Thich Hue Gioi

“Overcome doubt. Know. Free your mind!”

I became monk to find myself and thought that I could do that in a short time. Little did I know that this was a life long quest with the goal being to realize that there is no-self. Boy was I surprised! Yet, I am continually delighted and curious at what lies ahead.

Thich Hue Nghi

“For me Buddhism is like a science. I am eager to discover how things really work.”

I became a monk because I see it as a very unique way to have the time and frame to learn about one’s self and others, especially in these times where the focus is completely outward rather than inward.

Thich Hue Khong

Thich Hue Loc

Thich Hue Chuyen (Novice)
I ordained because Buddhism interested me. It made more sense to my life then anything else I had found before. It’s almost like someone had combined the essence of all of my interests into one complete and comprehensible structure. I was never really interested in any of the job choices that were presented to me in college, had so shortly after graduating I decided to come to the Pagoda for a visit. I’ve now been a monk here for almost two years.

“For me, wearing the robe gives strength. It symbolizes the commitment I made to the path so that even as the mind and emotions are pushed to the brink of giving in the robe is a reminder to stay strong, to stay firm, and to keep going through to the end.”

Thich Hue Phap

Thich Hue Truc

Thich Hue Ngo

Thich Hue Nghiem

Thich Hue Tho

Thich Hue Trieu