Searching for Thai Vu in Vinh Long

On a quiet weekend afternoon, the temple was empty of visitors. I was sitting on the porch drinking tea when a man in his early thirties entered. He held an old book and wore an expression of eager anticipation. He pressed his palms together in respect and immediately asked, “Venerable sir, where can I find Thai Vu?”

I looked up at him. His eyes shone brightly, as if he had just discovered a treasure. I asked, “Which Thai Vu?”

He replied, “Thai Vu from the novel *Returning to Paradise*. After reading it, I found the character so ideal that I wish to meet him in real life.”

I glanced at the book in his hands. The cover was worn, and the spine cracked. It seemed he had read it many times, until the fictional character became more vivid than reality itself. With full confidence, he continued, “I heard that Thai Vu lives in Vinh Long. I plan to go there to find him. Do you know his specific address?”

I had to suppress a sigh. Many people love characters in stories, but few take it this far. I spoke gently, “Thai Vu is only a character in a novel. That person does not exist in the real world.”

He froze, his eyes widening as if hearing something unbelievable. “But… I thought… the story was based on a real person?”

“No,” I said. “It is a work of fiction. The author created that character to convey a message. Just like Tu Hai in *The Tale of Kieu*, no one goes looking for Tu Hai in real life.”

He sat down, still clutching the book tightly, disappointment flickering across his face. “So… I have been hoping for months… I even planned to quit my job to go to Vinh Long…”

I poured another cup of tea and pushed it toward him. “When we mistake what is unreal for what is real, we suffer when we learn the truth. But after suffering comes awakening. Only through awakening do we see clearly.”

He remained silent for a long time, gazing out at the temple courtyard. The afternoon sun had faded, casting long shadows from the trees. Finally, he gave a faint smile. “Thank you, Venerable sir. I suppose I must reread the book, but this time with different eyes.”

I nodded. He stood up and bowed farewell. His steps leaving the temple gate were heavier than when he arrived, yet I knew that within his heart, the burden of illusion had lightened.

The Meaning of the Story

This tale reminds us that some things do not exist in reality, yet due to attachment and imagination, we chase them with hope, only to end up with emptiness. Misunderstanding what is real and what is not leads us to futile actions and even suffering. We must maintain clear mindfulness to distinguish truth from fiction, so as not to waste our lives.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang