Where the Wind of Blessings Blows

**Summary:** A visionary nun transforms a modest city temple into an impressive five-story structure, demonstrating the power of merit and perseverance.

Early morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the rustling green canopy of trees, casting a pale gold upon the walls of Van Phoc Temple. The deep, resonant peal of the great bell from the third floor echoed down, slow and solemn, as if awakening a Vung Tau that had once been old and cramped. The temple sits in the heart of the city, yet looking back more than twenty years, one would never have believed a structure of such grandeur could rise here.

Nun Thich Nu Nguyen Xuan, the current abbess, had just finished introducing the assembly to Master Thich Chan Quang. Her kind face shone with a quiet pride. The land was originally a tiny plot, less than a thousand square meters, nestled in a damp, marshy area. The late Abbess, Superior Nun Thuong Nhu Ha Phuong, founded it in 1952 and began renovating the small Main Shrine in 1962. Time passed; the Abbess passed away in 1990. Then the nun’s own teacher, the late Nun Thich Nu Hue Hoa, carried on from 1990 to 2008 before also departing.

Nun Nguyen Xuan took over from then. Her voice grew low as she recalled, her gaze fixed ahead as if seeing those difficult days again. “Respected Master, I inherited and began the renovation work in 2008. In 2012, we renovated the row of dwellings and monks’ quarters on the right. In 2014, we laid the foundation stone for the restoration. And just this September, we have commenced the renovation of the main Main Shrine, where everyone is sitting now.”

Sitting on the dharma seat, Master Thich Chan Quang smiled slightly at the corner of his lips. He had just heard the nun describe the temple’s financial circumstances: they did what they could with what they had. When funds were just enough for the foundation, devotees and venerable monks from various provinces would then make heartfelt offerings, and so the project grew little by little. “Listening to the nun, one feels such admiration,” the Master said, his voice full of appreciation. “Whatever virtue she had, she gave, and this is the result.”

The nun bowed her head, palms pressed together, the wrinkles on her forehead, already etched by time, deepening further. The Master continued, his eyes bright: “If we speak of cause and effect (karmic law), this is someone who possesses immense blessings from merit accumulated in the past. If we speak of moral virtue, this is a person of tremendous virtue who can attract such a magnificent temple. She speaks of poverty, yet a splendid realm manifests before us. If we speak of capability, isn’t this an immensely capable nun? To plan and build a five-story structure in the heart of the city, one sees here a nun with a vision that reaches into the third millennium.”

The assembly burst into laughter, and enthusiastic applause filled the air. Hearing this, Nun Nguyen Xuan’s eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. In those years, she had personally witnessed the hardship of “wading through water to build bridges” during heavy rains, navigating through tiny, cramped alleyways. She had envisioned a future with a large, tall, modern temple in the heart of a tourist city. And now, as the structure had risen to the third floor and was preparing for the roof, that vision had become a reality.

“Respected Master,” the nun said, her voice slightly trembling, “our design is for five stories. Today, only three stories are built, poor thing, not yet finished. Just three floors now, and we will build more with whatever we have.” The Master nodded, full of joy: “Then with whatever you have, you continue building. Go ahead and keep going, don’t be hesitant, because the future must develop to that point.”

Nun Nguyen Xuan looked down at the hundreds of devotees sitting attentively below, their eyes all bright with joy and hope. She felt a sense of relief, feeling that the years of hardship had finally been rewarded. The temple is not only the fruit of effort and money, but also a testament to the power of blessings from merit, perseverance, and a vision that transcends time.

Doves flew in from somewhere, landing on the eaves of the second floor, cooing softly. The bell sounded again, deep and resonant, as if echoing from the hearts of those who believed, who understood, and who accomplished the extraordinary amidst the worldly dust.

**Meaning of the Story**

The story illustrates the power of blessings from merit and virtue. When a person has accumulated sufficient merit from past lives and holds a righteous aspiration in this life, they will attract favorable conditions to fulfill a great ambition. Even without many resources in hand, thanks to their virtue and pure aspiration, they receive support from favorable conditions (dependent origination), are blessed by the Buddhas, and aided by the sincere devotion of others. Thus, from a small foundation, they can construct a magnificent structure that brings lasting benefit to sentient beings. This also shows the will and vision of a practitioner: to understand the goal clearly and persevere in its realization, even if currently possessing less than half the means, but with the future assured of completion.

*Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang*