Every difficulty is a stepping stone to the top.

Venerable Thich Tam Tien (born in 1991),had a conversation about the destiny of the monk and the journey to conquer full master's scholarships at two of the most prestigious schools in the world.

Monk Thich Tam Tien, who is practicing at Hoang Phap Pagoda, has just received a scholarship for a master's program from Harvard University and Yale University (USA).

"The idea of ​​studying abroad used to be something very vague."

PV:Becoming a monk at the age of 15, did your studies go normally?

Master Thich Tam Tien:When entering the temple, anyone who wants to become a monk (shave their head shaved) must practice for 6 months first. Because I had to practice, I was 1 year late in studying and after becoming a monk, I was able to continue studying.

With the support of my Master, Venerable Thich Chan Tinh - Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, and other monks and Buddhists, I finished high school and had time to practice foreign languages ​​as well as attend Buddhist classes before going abroad to study.

How did your intention to study abroad begin? Did you encounter any difficulties in achieving your goal?

The idea of ​​studying abroad was something vague, because at first I was not confident in my abilities. I know many of you are in the same situation, not really knowing what you want.

In 2012, I had the chance to meet a Venerable and told him that I wanted to study abroad. Luckily, he had a scholarship from a school in Thailand and he gave it to me.

Before I left, I asked my Master for permission and he agreed. The biggest difficulty was that I had to learn more English, but as you know, there is no going back, so I overcame that difficulty.

"It's a waste for the youngest son in the family to become a monk."

Did your family support you becoming a monk? How did your parents feel when their son continued to gain admission to prestigious universities in the US?

My family has a long tradition of following Buddhism, so becoming a monk was not an obstacle. At first, my parents were a bit sad because I was the youngest child in the family and it would be a “waste” for me to become a monk. But everyone was very supportive.

My parents are simple and honest farmers, so they rarely researched famous schools. When I told them that I was accepted into those two schools, they were very happy but did not know which schools they were. I feel very lucky to have my parents fully support the path I have chosen.

I understand that you studied in Thailand before coming to the US. What experiences did studying at university in Thailand give you?

This question was also part of my Harvard University essay. Studying in Thailand helped me to interact with many monks from different countries and to experience different cultures. When I go to other countries, my mind also expands.

I am no longer bound by petty constraints, no longer clinging to my own shallow thoughts, and I find myself learning many useful things from my foreign friends.

If anyone has the opportunity to travel here and there, please use it as your own experience, more or less we will learn from the friends we meet.

Studying for a master's degree at two schools to prepare for future research

Did you come to the US to study for a master's degree in religion at Naropa University (USA) on a scholarship or on your own? How long have you been studying in the US and what impressed you most about studying here?

Because this is my first time coming to the US to study for a Master’s degree, the school only provides some support. I have been studying here for almost 2 years and this semester is my last semester, I will graduate this May.

I like the way of teaching and learning here. Teachers don’t lecture much, they give reading assignments and students discuss with each other in class. This makes students more proactive, and I don’t agree with everything in the book.

The professor guided me to think more objectively and frankly in "dialogue" with authors through their books. Moreover, during my time studying here, I realized that my studies were based on my desire to know and learn, so I chose subjects that I liked, so studying was very interesting.

Why did you apply to the master's programs at Harvard and Yale while studying for your master's degree at Naropa University?

At first, I also thought about applying for a PhD program, but I realized that I was still young, wanted to learn more from many professors, and wanted to be fully equipped with knowledge when I started my PhD research. Because if I study for a PhD, I will mainly do research and work with a professor.

When I study for a master’s degree, I will learn more ideas and that will greatly support my future research. Also, when I applied to those two schools, I chose a major that was a little different from the one I was studying.

Does being a monk make it difficult for you to integrate with international students when studying abroad?

The biggest difficulty is culture. I had culture shock several times. But gradually I got used to it. The students are very sociable, if I know how to initiate a conversation, someone will respond.

Never hide in your shell, you can only avoid other people but never yourself and it is you who you need to overcome.

Orientation for young people with passion for studying and serving society

I know that you often teach young people. What topic do you usually teach most?

What I care about most is how young people can orient their future. Live with dreams, big dreams and have enough courage to pursue those dreams. I also meet and advise many young people, I see that they are often "unstable" in life and in study.

According to monk Thich Tam Tien, many young people today are "unstable" and stuck in life because they cannot communicate with their parents.

I want to help them see the path they will take, they don't need to see it clearly, just need to determine what they want and how to achieve it, any difficulty they encounter is a step for them to step up to a new peak.

Nowadays, you are influenced by life a lot and quickly. Some of those influences are good and some are not so good, but if you do not know how to choose, your life will be very difficult. Many of you cannot communicate with your parents, so the problems in life become even more deadlocked.

The monk uses "teen" language to create a close, open atmosphere when teaching young people.

What advice do you have for young people born in today's context of changing moral values?

We have many good means to learn and communicate with each other, let's use them as stepping stones for our advancement in knowledge and soul. No one is perfect, only those who know it and always try to get closer to perfection.

Pagodas in Vietnam also open many summer retreats to guide young people to return to themselves, practice living a useful life, and cultivate the filial spirit of Vietnamese people. If you have the opportunity, join a retreat to consider it an experience for yourself.

What are your plans after graduating with a master's degree in the US?

I always have a "plan" that one day I will help someone. Life is too short to just sit around planning and doing nothing.

I always cherish every day I live and cherish the people around me. Helping others is the way to bring true happiness to myself.

I also want to return to Vietnam after finishing my studies if I have the chance to teach at universities. I really like teaching young people so this is also one of my plans. I hope that universities will agree to let monks teach there.

For monk Thich Tam Tien, any difficulty is a step leading to the top.

What is the monk's biggest dream?

My dream is that I want everyone to be safe. Is that too big? Everything I learn is aimed at helping others. I just want to use what I learn and practice to guide young people who are passionate about studying and serving society as much as possible.

My Master once said that the vow of a monk is to bring peace to all sentient beings. I was influenced by that thought from my Master, so studying now is just a means for me to do that job well in the future.

Thank you very much for sharing, teacher..