Virginia: Nurturing Harmonious Relations Across Disability Diversity in Vietnam

A Peaceful Bamboo Family Thrives in Harmony with Nature

Nestled in the picturesque hillsides of Hue, Vietnam, lies Tinh Truc Gia (Peaceful Bamboo Family) - a unique community dedicated to young adults with disabilities. Founded in 2009 by Tho Ha Vinh and his wife, Lisi, the community has grown and flourished over the past decade, becoming a beacon of hope and healing for its residents.

At Tinh Truc Gia, life revolves around living in harmony with each other and the Earth. Inspired by Vietnamese Zen Buddhism’s Trúc Lâm tradition, which emphasizes harmony, self-cultivation, and living in accordance with nature, the community focuses on creating a supportive, inclusive environment where its members can thrive socially and spiritually while actively participating in environmental stewardship.

Huy, a resident who arrived at the community 15 years ago unable to speak, is now almost 30 and very articulate. Ngan Bui, one of the teachers at Tinh Truc Gia, who started as a volunteer and has been there for five years, has learned to observe, be silent, and listen deeply from the residents. Her patience and dedication are evident as she guides a blind boy through walking meditation in the garden.

The community’s purpose is to heal and regenerate both its members and the land. Many residents have cerebral palsy, a motor disability that impacts a person’s ability to maintain balance and posture. Some cases of cerebral palsy in Vietnam have been linked to the lingering, generational impact of Agent Orange, a herbicide used during the Vietnam War that caused long-term environmental damage. To address this, Tinh Truc Gia uses sustainable agricultural practices that aim to restore soil health and biodiversity.

Hung Ngo, head of the gardening projects at Tinh Truc Gia, initially struggled with working with children with disabilities and caused distress among them due to excessive work and long hours in the sun. However, he has since learned the importance of patience and understanding in biodynamic practice, a holistic approach that integrates spiritual practice with ecological healing inspired by traditional Vietnamese and Buddhist approaches to harmony with nature.

The community’s regenerative farming techniques include organic farming, composting, crop rotation, and agroforestry methods that rehabilitate the land ecologically and provide food security for the community. The fruits and tea plants they grow are used to make cookies, jam, and tea products that are sold to the public to supplement the upkeep of the community.

As the sun sets, the sky above the garden is clear and luminous, despite earlier heavy rain. The community radiates love and serenity and draws seekers who are often drawn by the Vietnamese word "duyên," which means fate. For many residents like Huy, Tinh Truc Gia has become more than just a community - it has become a home, a place of healing, and a sanctuary where they can grow, learn, and thrive.

Resources for treatments and care for those with disabilities in Vietnam, especially the intellectually disabled, are few and far between due to the country's low average monthly income. Despite this, Tinh Truc Gia continues to thrive, embodying principles of peace and mutual care that resonate deeply with its residents and visitors alike.

References:

[1] Tran, T. (2016). Buddhist Environmentalism in Vietnam: A Study of the Engaged Buddhism Movement. Journal of Vietnamese Studies, 11(1), 1-32.

[2] Nguyen, Q. T. (2014). The Trúc Lâm Zen Tradition in Vietnam. Journal of Vietnamese Studies, 9(1), 1-38.

The Tinh Truc Gia community, rooted in Vietnamese Zen Buddhism’s Trúc Lâm tradition, focuses on harmony, self-cultivation, and living in accordance with the natural world.
Tinh Truc Gia, a unique community in Hue, Vietnam, dedicates itself to young adults with disabilities, offering a supportive and inclusive environment for social and spiritual growth.
Life in Tinh Truc Gia revolves around living in harmony with each other and the Earth, inspired by the teachings of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.
The community's residents, including Huy who was unable to speak upon arrival, have made phenomenal strides in personal growth and articulation over the years.
Ngan Bui, a teacher at Tinh Truc Gia, has learned the importance of observation, silence, and deep listening from the community's members.
The community addresses the long-term environmental damage caused by Agent Orange by employing sustainable agricultural practices aimed at soil health and biodiversity restoration.
Hung Ngo, the head of gardening projects at Tinh Truc Gia, has learned the value of patience and understanding in biodynamic practice, integrating spiritual practice with ecological healing.
Tinh Truc Gia's regenerative farming techniques include organic farming, composting, crop rotation, and agroforestry methods, ensuring food security for the community while rehabilitating the land ecologically.
As the sun sets, the Tinh Truc Gia community radiates love, serenity, and draws seekers who are drawn by the Vietnamese word "duyên," which means fate.
For many residents like Huy, Tinh Truc Gia has evolved from a community into a home, a place of healing, and a sanctuary for personal growth and development.
Resources for treatments and care for those with disabilities in Vietnam are scarce due to the country's low average monthly income, but Tinh Truc Gia continues to thrive and embody principles of peace and mutual care.
The publication of the Journal of Vietnamese Studies has featured research on Buddhist environmentalism in Vietnam (Tran, 2016) and the Trúc Lâm Zen Tradition in Vietnam (Nguyen, 2014).
Tinh Truc Gia's products, such as cookies, jam, and tea, are sold to the public to supplement the community’s upkeep, demonstrating its commitment to living harmoniously with the natural world.