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Check Out Thich Dieu Thien’s Story

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Thich Dieu Thien.

Thich Dieu Thien

Hi Thich, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?Β 
β€œπ‘Ύπ’‰π’†π’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏 π’“π’Šπ’”π’†π’”, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕.Β 

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 π‘¨π’˜π’‚π’Œπ’† π’Žπ’Šπ’π’… 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 π’‚π’•π’•π’‚π’„π’‰π’Žπ’†π’π’•π’” 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 π’”π’–π’‡π’‡π’†π’“π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’…π’Šπ’”π’”π’π’π’—π’† π’Šπ’π’•π’ π’π’π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’ˆπ’π’†π’”π’”.” 

– π‘¨π’˜π’‚π’Œπ’†π’π’†π’… 𝒁𝒆𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 π‘»π’‰π’Šπ’„π’‰ π‘«π’Šπ’†π’– π‘»π’‰π’Šπ’†π’Β 

After Awakening in 2001, with the Great Vow to Wake Up all sentient beings, Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien stepped into this world to help us return to the original Awake β€œhome” and end all suffering: a home where there is only true wisdom, true love, true happiness, true peace, and true freedom, forever.Β 

————————————————————————————————————Β 

π»π‘Žπ‘£π‘’ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘’π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘Žπ‘ π‘˜π‘’π‘‘ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘’π‘™π‘“ π‘€β„Žπ‘¦ π‘šπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘  π‘œπ‘“ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘π‘–π‘›π‘’π‘ π‘  π‘‘π‘œπ‘›β€™π‘‘ π‘™π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿ? π‘Šβ„Žπ‘¦ 𝑖𝑠 π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 π‘Žπ‘™π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦π‘  𝑒𝑝 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘€π‘›, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘€β„Žπ‘¦ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘œπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘€π‘–π‘‘β„Ž π‘Žπ‘π‘π‘’π‘π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘ π‘’π‘β„Ž π‘Ž 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 π‘Žπ‘  π‘›π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘™? π»π‘œπ‘€, π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘™π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦π‘  π‘™π‘œπ‘œπ‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘π‘’ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘’ 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž π‘ π‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘™ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘π‘‘π‘–π‘π‘’, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘€β„Žπ‘’π‘› π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑑, 𝑖𝑑 π‘›π‘’π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘™π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘π‘ ? π»π‘Žπ‘£π‘’ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘’π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘Žπ‘ π‘˜π‘’π‘‘ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘’π‘™π‘“, β€œπ‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦, π‘€β„Žπ‘œ π‘Žπ‘š 𝐼”?Β 

I came into this world knowing innately that this world is impermanent and full of suffering, and I realized with certainty that if I don’t return to Awake Home soon, I will be trapped in the cycle of birth and death like all sentient beings. At the same time, I absolutely knew that there is a place of true, permanent happiness that is my true Home, the Awake Home, that is free from the cycle of birth and death, and I needed to return to it, but I did not know how. That was my life purpose, and I stood up for that every moment.Β 

After going through immense inner and outer searching for the answer for three decades, I finally returned to Awake Home in 2001. At that moment, the Great Vow appeared. I have been Waking Up the Awake potential in people of all backgrounds so they directly experience the Awake Mind, guiding them step-by-step to return to Awake Home to liberate the source of all suffering.Β 

𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 π’Šπ’” π’Žπ’š π’”π’•π’π’“π’šβ€¦Β 

From the time I was very young,Β 

I witnessed things constantly changing and the impermanence of life.Β 

Love, sadness, anger, right/wrong, win/lose, fear, living and dying…real situations in everyday life, right before me.Β 

A fresh, blooming flower withered and faded away by the end of the day.Β 

A beloved child was dying from an accident, leaving the whole family in extreme distress.Β 

A wealthy, young, happily married couple, where the wife suddenly died from cancer, and the husband collapsed in utter suffering.Β 

I questioned, β€œIs this the real meaning of life?” 

At that time, I knew deep inside that there was an Awake Home,Β where there is no suffering, birth, old age, illness, or death,Β a world completely liberated from the source of ego, but how to get there?Β 

I had a lot of restless questioning, so much restless questioning that if I could not find the answer to my questions, living was like dying. Since then, I began to stand up to search for the answer.Β 

At the age of 13, I had the chance to read a book about Gautama Buddha’s life and journey to return to Awake Home. Knowing that he found the answer to return to True Home become fully Awakened (Enlightenment) to end the source of suffering and the cycle of birth and death gave me more trust, motivation, and strength to find the way back to Awake Home.Β 

At age 18, I ordained as a Buddhist nun and began my spiritual studies. I experienced many challenges, studied and practiced countless methods, graduated from a Buddhist college in Vietnam, and even earned a master’s degree with high honors from Western Michigan University. Still, it was all meaningless because I realized all the practice and knowledge did not lead me to Wake Up and liberate the cycle of birth and death.Β 

Both sides were very clear to me: Awake Home and the source of the ego system that kept me and all humans trapped in the suffering of birth and death. But who could show me how to return to Awake Home? Only an Awakened teacher!Β 

At the end of January 2001, I vowed to stand up, determined to find the answer to how to return to Awake Home, even if I had to lose my life. Deciding to let go and leaving everything behind, with only a few belongings and empty hands, I began an inner journey traveling around the world. I went from country to country, willing to experience many hardships, looking for an Awakened teacher, anywhere and everywhere, to help me find the answer to the deep, restless questions of my life, but I could not find one. One day, there was a profound realization that I could no longer search for the answer from the outside.Β 

It was then I decided to go to a meditation center in southern Thailand, well known for its silent retreats and the special monks and nuns who led them through the application of meditation, hoping that could help me return to Awake Home. Letting go of my titles and ordained status, I joined their retreat for lay people. Right on the first day of the retreat, I realized what was taught there could not help me Wake Up and liberate ego because I had already learned and applied it thoroughly. Their teachings were to manage the ego practice to control the mind, not how to end the ego system.Β 

Hitting the rock bottom of my search, I sat down in meditation made a vow to face directly to the source of ego-system within until I found the answer to my question to return to Awake Home. Many, many voices appeared.Β 

β€œπ‘†π‘‘π‘œπ‘ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑝!” 

β€œπΊπ‘œ β„Žπ‘’π‘™π‘ π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘’, π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘¦ 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 π‘¦π‘œπ‘’.” 

β€œπΌπ‘“ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘˜π‘’π‘’π‘ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 π‘™π‘–π‘˜π‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘™π‘œπ‘›π‘”, π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑒.” 

β€œπ‘Œπ‘œπ‘’ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘£π‘’ π‘›π‘œ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘π‘Žπ‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘›, 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘€β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘?” 

Nothing bothered me at all; I continued to keep facing, facing every voice that came up and fell into nothingness. Finally, BOOM! on April 8, 2001, the source of ego fully exploded, and I completely returned to Awake Home. At that moment, the answers appeared to all my questions:Β 

β€’ π΄π‘Šπ΄πΎπΈ 𝐻𝑂𝑀𝐸

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘œ 𝑖𝑠 π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ π‘šπ‘’?

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘¦ π‘‘π‘œ π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘ π‘’π‘“π‘“π‘’π‘Ÿ?

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘‘π‘œπ‘’π‘  π‘ π‘’π‘“π‘“π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š?

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘¦ 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝐼 π‘Žπ‘π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘€π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘?

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘‘π‘œ 𝐼 π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š?

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘¦ 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝐼 π‘‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘π‘œπ‘‘π‘¦?

β€’ π‘Šβ„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ 𝑖𝑠 π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘™ π‘šπ‘’, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘€β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ 𝑖𝑠 π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘™ π‘šπ‘’?

I became one with the Universal Source, completely liberating the source of suffering. I returned to Awake Home, a world that is open, fresh, clear, bright, pure, and all-knowing, where there is no birth, no death, no suffering, no ego. A world that sees everything as is! A world that emanates infinite Wisdom, boundless Compassion, pure Essence, endless Awake tools, and the Great Vow. At that moment, these Awake Five Natures naturally appeared in me. Right there, the Great Vow to wake the world up appeared. Since then, I live Awakened every moment.Β 

Since Awakening, I had been Waking Up the Awake potential to liberate suffering in many students. From experiencing the real benefits and the profound transformations in their lives, the students sincerely asked me to establish Universal Door Meditation Center in 2003 for all people to come so I can continue to Wake Up their Awake potential, too. From Awakened Wisdom, I can clearly see each person exactly for who they truly are. From there, I wake them up, directly guiding them by unlocking their inner stuck points so they instantly experience the Awake Mind; their attachments that cause anger, stress, anxiety, conflicts, fear, and endless suffering fall apart. Wisdom mind-opening dharma talks, Wake Up meditation sessions, and retreats are Awake tools to help them directly experience the Awake Mind and to realize the capacity to return to Awake Home permanently.Β 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Right from birth until my Awakening moment in 2001, I suffered every moment not knowing how to return to Awake Home. I saw human suffering, and knew if I didn’t return to Awake Home, I would be trapped in the cycle of birth and death like them; how can I help them go back Home? I truly did not connect to anything in the human world; there was always a profound questioning within me, an unrelenting, intense yearning to find the answers to my questions.Β 

I was fully liberated from the source of suffering at the moment of my Awakening. From the Great Vow, I stepped back into the world to Wake Up all sentient beings to return to Awake Home. After fully Awakening, there truly are no more struggles, I continue to live disturbed by nothing.Β 

The only challenge is for people; even after I awaken their Awake potential many times from their habit energy, people still go back to their attachments that cause suffering because the human world is so real to them. At first, I thought it would be easy to Wake Up all people, but it is not like that. Most people want to connect to Awake Mind just to alleviate and manage their suffering through sitting, walking, eating, healing, and other forms of meditations. The pattern repeats: I wake them up, they go back to the dream world, I wake them up, they return to the dream world. No matter what, unhindered, the Great Vow not only never slows down nor stops, it intensifies, forever devoted to bringing all humans through their challenges to awaken.Β 

In recent years, for numerous students experiencing more and more the knowing of β€œwho they truly are and are not,” it is becoming more real, and their trust in the Awakened teacher has strengthened. Sincere to Wake Up and liberate the dream world as the ultimate goal, they are asking for my help. Therefore, it is not hard for me to guide them to return to Awake Home and end the source of suffering.Β 

For the monastics and many students, after awakening their Awake potential several times and letting them merge with the Awake Home and experience what is real and not real, they are very clear about their Awake purpose and have the whole-hearted decision to return to Awake Home, not getting lost in the dream world any longer.Β 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am an Awakened One. I have the capacity to Wake Up the Awake potential in all people. I can clearly see and know the person, where their Awake potential is, what is blocking it, and step-by-step guide them to experience the moment of Wake Up and the moment of liberation from the source of suffering, so True Happiness and Compassion appear in them forever. Not from understanding or knowledge, but by directly experiencing the truth that is already bright within each person, but has been covered for so many lifetimes.

There are only two chapters in my life: Wake Up, and Wake Up the world. That’s all. Every moment of my life has been dedicated to only that. From the time I was born until the moment I Awakened and returned to Awake Home, nothing else interested or distracted me. From the moment of Awakening, the Great Vow appeared, I just help people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, by awakening their Awake potential regardless of place, time, or situations.

That is the purpose of my life, the vow that brought me here, and that is what I will do, until all beings Awaken.

What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – Any big plans?
From the Great Vow, I continue to Wake Up the Awake potential in all people, giving them the direct experience to know and trust they have the capacity to Wake Up to be truly happy, disturbed by nothing, whether they come to meet me at the Wake Up Center, connect to me when I am invited to travel and open retreats around the world, or wherever I am… anytime, anywhere, regardless of whether they are near or far.Β 

π‘­π’“π’π’Ž 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 π‘¨π’˜π’‚π’Œπ’†π’π’†π’… 𝒁𝒆𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 π‘»π’‰π’ŠΜπ’„π’‰ π‘«π’Šπ’†π’– π‘»π’‰π’Šπ’†π’:Β 

β€œπ‘Œπ‘œπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘£π‘œπ‘–π‘π‘’ 𝑖𝑛 π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ β„Žπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘  π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘ β€¦Β 

π‘Œπ‘œπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘€β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ π‘π‘Žπ‘› π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘œπ‘”π‘›π‘–π‘§π‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘£π‘œπ‘–π‘π‘’, π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘’π‘šπ‘œπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘ , π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘ .Β 

π‘Œπ‘œπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π΄π‘€π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’.” 

– π΄π‘€π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘‘ 𝑍𝑒𝑛 π‘€π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘‡β„Žπ‘–π‘β„Ž 𝐷𝑖𝑒𝑒 π‘‡β„Žπ‘–π‘’π‘›Β 

As students of the Awakened Zen Master, after deeply experiencing the Wake-Up moment, our lives and those around us have been transformed tremendously. It is like the light switch has been turned on in a dark room, knowing who we truly are and are not. True wisdom, true love with understanding, open communication, true peace and harmony, and the ability to make clear decisions are some of the multitude of benefits the Awake Path has opened for all of us. Sincerely wishing for all people in this world to also connect with Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, we asked the Awakened Zen Master to allow us to outreach in the community by participating in various inter-cultural events around town, going to expos, universities, businesses, health and wellness centers to offer presentations, lunch-and-learns, and short Wake Up meditation sessions.Β 

Many people living afar have been finding Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien through her book, The Power of Awake, which was an Amazon Best Seller and has a powerful Wake Up message from her on every page.Β 

As the profound Awake message of Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien is spreading locally and internationally, we are receiving requests for help from more and more people and organizations. So, the Center is broadening our existing retreats, workshops, and other programs for adults, parents and children, youth/teens, students, and professionals. With this influx, there is a need to develop an International Wake Up Retreat Center on the 9-acre property to include a larger meditation hall, multi-purpose activity center, and residential facilities. We welcome everyone to be a part of this amazing project! The link below has more information about it:Β 

https://universaldoormeditationcenter.org/homepage/the-awake-great-vow-project/Β 

When one person in a family connects with Awakened Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, the wisdom, clarity, and brightness from them spreads to their extended family, from there, to their community, state, country, and to the whole world. The more people Wake Up, the more this world will be filled with true wisdom, true love, true peace, and true harmony for all. Here is a short teaching clip from the Awakened Zen Master:Β 

https://youtu.be/bIIGG2bi820Β 

As our center name, Universal Door, implies, we welcome all people regardless of background, culture, race, religion, age, gender, or sexuality. Whether you are just starting your spiritual journey or are an advanced seeker who has been restlessly questioning for years, we sincerely welcome one and all to come and experience for yourself.Β 

Join us for Meetup, a free introductory session to Wake Up meditation, on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 pm.Β 

β€œπΌπ‘  𝑖𝑑 π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ π‘π‘œπ‘ π‘ π‘–π‘π‘™π‘’ 𝑀𝑒 π‘π‘Žπ‘› π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘’ π‘ˆπ‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘™π‘–π‘“π‘’π‘‘π‘–π‘šπ‘’?Β 

π‘Šβ„Žπ‘¦ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘?Β 

π΄π‘€π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’ 𝑖𝑠 π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”π‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘™ π‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑓.Β 

𝐼𝑑 𝑖𝑠 π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’ π»π‘œπ‘šπ‘’.” 

-π΄π‘€π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘‘ 𝑍𝑒𝑛 π‘€π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘‡β„Žπ‘–π‘β„Ž 𝐷𝑖𝑒𝑒 π‘‡β„Žπ‘–π‘’π‘›Β 

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