Customer Reviews

Learning True Love: How I Learned and Practiced Social Change in Vietnam

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I totally disagree with the "library journal" review. Not only was this book inspiring, heartwarming, and unique, it told a tale of a woman who defied so many odds by transforming her suffering into the desire to help others move forward into peace. I have read many books by Buddhist scholars before, but none as simple and biographical as this. It was heartbreaking at times; hearing about killings, learning about lost loved ones, learning true love, all of this is conveyed in such a way that you feel you're actually there.

There is no broken English in this book, I don't know what the review is talking about. There's only one typo that I found in the entire book, and it was typing error, not a grammatical one. This book should be on your priority list: if you give it a try, you'll find that you want to keep it in your collection forever. It's a priceless concentration of thoughts that move and inspire you, both to touch suffering and not to despair when faced with challenges.

This is the autobiography of a Vietnamese Buddhist nun who spent her life trying to help people whose lives were devastated by the wars. Because of her close association with Thich Nhat Hanh, it is to some degree an informal history of his activities as well. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is her frustration with the American peace movement. Her life (and his) are both quite inspiring, so this is a challenging and uplifting book. I would happily recommend this book to anyone interested in Vietnamese Buddhism, the war and the peace movements, or Vietnam in general.

Sister Chan Kong is truly a living bodhisattva. Her selflessness, generosity, and meritous actions shine through the words of her autobiography. In adversity, she tirelessly sought to improve the conditions of others and ease their suffering. The book left me wanting to know more of her life. Each picture that I have been able to find of her is a face of serenity, peace, and calm. I have a greater understanding of the suffering of the Vietnamese people.

This book was so inspiring to me. It is the life story of a woman that has stood in the face of the storm and has emerged with clarity, compassion, and hope. It teaches every one of us who is seeking to build a better world how to give everything we have, and if our work is destroyed tomorrow to begin to rebuild with faith, again and again.

I had the amazing pleasure to meet Sr. Chan Khong and her prescence and life has definitely been an inspiration to me.
The book is highly recommneded!!!

Very inspiring book. Sister Chan Khong's radiant energy and the true love she feels for humanity permeate this book. She shows us one of the beautiful lessons of Buddhism, that we are all capable of being bodhisattvas in our own lives. We each have the power to help others in need and help ourselves. A heartwarming reminder of how wonderful the present moment really is.

This book presents a side of the Vietnam War that few know about. Most people have seen the horrifying films of the Buddhist monks burning themselves alive in protest to the war. This is but one of the powerful stories that this book tells in depth. It is filled with incredible stories of devotion, resilience, and love.

I ordered the book for a class and it came on time and in good shape.