Radiant Light of Awakening: Venerated Enlightened Patriarch Minh Đăng Quang (vegan), Part 1 of 2

In the Buddhist history of Âu Lạc (Vietnam), the Venerated Enlightened Patriarch Minh Đăng Quang (vegan) stands out as a visionary, influential, and deeply inspiring being. He was the founder of the Mendicant Buddhist Order, a significant Buddhist movement in Âu Lạc (Vietnam).

Born on September 26, 1923, as Nguyễn Thành Đạt, in Phú Hậu Village, Vĩnh Long, in southern Âu Lạc (Vietnam), He was the youngest of five siblings in the family. From a young age, Nguyễn Thành Đạt, displayed remarkable intelligence, and even His manner of walking and speaking reflected a maturity beyond that of His peers. A descendant of both Khmer and Aulacese heritage, Nguyễn Thành Đạt was raised in a spiritual environment influenced by both Mahāyāna and Theravāda Buddhism. From an early age, He contemplated the possibility of uniting these two great traditions into a harmonious path.

Upon graduating from the French Primary School at the age of 13, Nguyễn Thành Đạt expressed a deep desire to pursue the spiritual path and sought permission from His father to leave home and become a monk. At the age of 15, driven by a strong aspiration for enlightenment and guided by His inner voice, He quietly left home. As His verses state: “Well then, let it be, so let it be, To keep my vow, I must bear the fault with Father, humbly. A youth, on one fateful day, left his home, Crossing the Việt–Khmer border, a thousand miles far. He climbed the mountains to find the yellow flower cave, Seeking a Master to learn the Way in Nam Vang city.” With no possessions and relying only on His faith and determination, He traveled alone, often taking shelter in forests, temples, and hermitages.

Amid the open sea, swaying boats, and vast skies, He awakened to profound realizations about the nature of impermanence, suffering, existence, life, and death. This moment of insight became known as the Dharma of the “Prajna Boat.” At the time, Master Minh Đăng Quang was only 21 years old.

At Linh Bửu Tự Temple, Master Minh Đăng Quang formally embraced the Ten Novice Precepts and took vows to keep them. On April 4, 1947, He gave the first lecture on the “Prajna Boat.” Through His teachings, the people have embraced the image of a monk who has left the world behind, clothed in a yellow robe, carrying an alms bowl, and going on alms rounds every morning. It was also at this temple that He received the full 250 Bhikkhu precepts. According to tradition, the name Minh Đăng Quang, meaning “Radiant Light of Awakening,” was revealed to Him in a vision by the Worshipped Amitābha Buddha (vegan).