Bhante Bhikkhu Bodhi Ven. Thích Trừng Sỹ
ATTENDING THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE SENIOR DHARMA TEACHER, MOST VENERABLE THÍCH GIÁC ĐỨC, AND BEING BLESSED TO MEET BHANTE BHIKKHU BODHI IN PERSON
Dear Bhante Bhikkhu Bodhi,
My Dharma name is Thích Trừng Sỹ. For a long time, I have heard of your virtuous name through your correspondence with the Most Venerable Thích Minh Châu and Dharma Teacher Thích Giác Đức. However, I have not yet had the fortunate opportunity to meet you in person.
Over the past five years, my students and I have frequently studied the English translations of the Nikāyas that you have translated, as well as the Vietnamese translations of the Nikāyas by Most Venerable Thích Minh Châu. We, along with many other Buddhists, always express our deep gratitude for the great contributions of both of you.
Although you represent the Theravāda tradition, your heart contains the seed of Mahāyāna compassion, reflecting a profound and long-standing connection with Vietnamese Buddhism from its early days until now. You are a highly respected, humble, and simple Dharma teacher — well-known and deeply admired throughout the world — a shining example for Buddhist communities internationally, including Vietnamese Buddhists.
Thanks to the spiritual connection with the late Dharma Teacher, Most Venerable Thích Giác Đức, we were blessed with the rare and joyful opportunity to meet you and the Sangha both at the Funeral Home and at Giác Hoàng Buddhist Temple, which was founded by the late Dharma Teacher in Boston, Massachusetts.
You are truly a sincere and steadfast Dharma teacher, always expressing love, reverence, and deep gratitude toward the senior masters in the Dhamma across various traditions. We deeply respect, admire, and honor you as a radiant and exemplary teacher — a role model for everyone to study, practice, and follow.
May the blessings and power of the Triple Gem always protect and support you with peace of mind and good health, and may all your noble works in the Dhamma be fulfilled.
We are profoundly grateful for your deep respect and heartfelt tribute to the late Dharma Teacher Thích Giác Đức, as well as for your meaningful Dharma sharing.
The funeral ceremony of the late Venerable Dharma Teacher Thích Giác Đức was solemnly and respectfully organized by the Sangha of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation Overseas, under the spiritual guidance of the Elder Most Venerable President, Thích Viên Lý. The ceremony was conducted with deep reverence, gratitude, and heartfelt remembrance in the spirit of Dharma fellowship.
On this occasion, we and the Sangha sincerely offer our prayers and pay wholehearted homage to the venerable spirit of the late Senior Dharma Teacher, Most Venerable Thích Giác Đức, who has entered Nirvana.
May his awakened spirit swiftly ascend to the Buddha’s realm, and in due course, return to this world to continue the noble mission of spreading the True Dharma for the benefit and well-being of all beings throughout this planet.
Namo Buddha.
Namo Dhamma.
Namo Sangha.
With deepest respect and gratitude,
Your student in the Dhamma,
Venerable Thích Trừng Sỹ
