If anyone asks me which of my friends has left the best impression and the greatest admiration, I will not hesitate to answer: it is Mr. Đoàn Chí Dũng, a man who, due to an unfortunate accident, faced numerous physical challenges. However, he possessed a strong will and a generous, kind heart, and always ready to serve the Compassionate Service Society.
Mr. Dũng had been active with the Compassionate Service Society (CSS) for many years. When he was very young, he had a car accident, and the doctors informed him that for the rest of his life, he would have to accept a vegetative state. But with a strong will, he gradually recovered somewhat and could take care of himself, although he still walked with a limp, had difficulty speaking clearly, and one of his arms was very weak. He lived alone in South Pasadena, Southern California, while his family, including his mother and siblings, resided in France.
Mr. Dũng was a veteran photographer for the Association and was often present at both large and small events. Although his arm was very weak, he was responsible for editing videos of the TV programs "Khai Tâm," "Sống Đời Toàn Diện," and "Đối Thoại Tâm Linh," and he would upload them to YouTube for the Association, after spending a lot of time on basic tasks. He had a gentle and calm demeanor and always greeted anyone in the Association with a bright, warm smile that was immediately felt by those he met.
Over time, his health deteriorated significantly. I remember one time when Thầy Hằng Trường suggested that Mr. Dũng participate in the "Altruistic Leave-Home" program to practice for his karmic obstacles, his response stuck with me to this day. He smiled and replied to the teacher, “How can I become a monk? Just putting on or changing my clothes takes me more than half an hour!” After that, each time I participated in the "Altruistic Home-Leaving" program, I would do it on his behalf and remind the other participants to dedicate their merit to him, as he could not have the opportunity to do so himself.
About a year ago, when I met him at the Association's headquarters, he walked with difficulty, and his arm was so weak that he could barely control it. Seeing his health condition, I asked how he could still edit videos. He smiled and replied, “It doesn’t matter; I keep trying. It’s slower, but I’ll just keep doing it!”
He planned to return home quickly after his leg surgery and had ordered a new computer to edit videos faster for the Association! Little did anyone expect that he would suddenly pass away after a knee surgery that was not life-threatening.
When he was in coma, Thầy came to visit him, held his hand, talked with him, and recited the "Thanh Liên Hoa" mantra. At his funeral, Thầy and several CSS members conducted a small ritual with three drops of oil. The first drop was to express gratitude for what he had done; the second drop was to release any knots in his heart; and the third drop was to send our love to him.
Mr. Dũng was truly a model of dedication, and I feel fortunate to have met and participated in activities with him in the Association. While he lived alone, he left this world surrounded by the teacher and his friends, who gave him a loving farewell. May Mr. Dũng, dharma name Thân Xả Nhẫn Tịnh, find peace in his next journey.
A member of Compassionate Service Society October 2024
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