A Letter That Never Arrived

That year, the southern sun scorched the skin. In a small house in Cao Lanh, Dong Thap, a bamboo fan turned steadily. The scholar Nguyen Sinh Sac sat beside an old wooden table, paper and ink spread before him. His eyes gazed into the distance, toward his homeland of Nghe An, hundreds of miles away, where his beloved son was wandering abroad, quietly seeking a path to save the country.

Unable to contact his son, he understood that freeing the nation from foreign domination required a solid foundation. In his heart, the most important element was Buddhism. He picked up his pen and wrote each character with firm resolve. The letter was a call for the people of Nghe An to take refuge in the Three Jewels — Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha — to nurture patriotism, morality, and a clear understanding of cause and effect (karmic law). He wrote: to gain independence, three factors are essential: farmers, patriotism, and Buddhism.

The postcard was sent along forest paths, passing through many guard stations. But not far from his home, dark shadows of French soldiers lay in wait. The letter never reached Nghe An. It was intercepted, hidden in an archive, lying silent for decades.

Had the letter arrived, perhaps Buddhism in Nghe An would have flourished greatly, rather than remaining desolate as it is today. For nearly one hundred years afterward, the land of Thanh Chuong only began to revive its first temple, thanks to the merit of Venerable Quang Bao and Minh Hieu.

When Venerable Thich Chan Quang recounted this story at Ngu Tu Pagoda, his voice lowered. He looked toward the two teachers standing in the small courtyard, where tall grass grew wild. He said, "Looking at this scene, we know how difficult their work has been. The Buddhist community of Thanh Chuong must deeply respect and support them. Not just Thanh Chuong, but all of Nghe An owes them gratitude."

He continued, his voice growing stronger. "Why is Buddhism so precious? Because Nguyen Sinh Sac saw profoundly: to reclaim the soul of the Vietnamese people, we need Buddhism and patriotism. Buddhism is not superstition; it is a rational path, a path of cause and effect (karmic law). When people understand and live by cause and effect (karmic law), patriotism and morality naturally blossom in the heart."

In that moment, the hall fell silent. Eyes turned toward the two teachers, then met one another. Everyone understood that reviving the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) is not merely about building temples, but about restoring the soul to the homeland and the nation.

The Meaning of the Story

Nguyen Sinh Sac’s letter was blocked, yet the value of the Three Jewels — Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha — remains intact through time. Buddhism is the moral foundation, helping people understand cause and effect (karmic law), love their country, and preserve the national soul. The revival of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) in Thanh Chuong, though late, is a profound expression of gratitude to the merits of Nguyen Sinh Sac and President Ho Chi Minh. It serves as a lesson on the power of faith and action.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang