THE BRIDGE BUILDER OF SPIRITUALITY AND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP

(Abbot of Tam Bao Patriarchal Monastery in Da Nang, Member of the Central International Buddhist Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Deputy Permanent Head of the International Buddhist Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Da Nang City)

I. Background, Bodhi Seeds, and the Great Merits of a Virtuous Mother

Venerable Thich Phap Hieu, whose lay name is Luong Phuoc Toan, was born on September 18, 1983, in Da Nang city—a land of picturesque mountains and rivers rich in cultural tradition and academic passion. He grew up in a warm small-business family; his father was Mr. Luong Mau Thanh (born 1949, passed away) and his mother was Mrs. Pham Thi Nhu Khue (born 1949).

Behind the Venerable's brilliant religious career and vast vow of service lies deep foundational merit from an exemplary mother—Female Monastic Dieu Tan (lay name Pham Thi Nhu Khue). Understanding the law of impermanence and imbued with steadfast faith in the Dharma, in 1989 when her son was only 5 years old, with deep intuition and unwavering Bodhi resolve, she transcended worldly attachment and offered her beloved child into the monastic gate of Nam Quang Temple (Hoi An). Two years later, in 1991, completely severing worldly ties, the mother officially shaved her head, ordained as a female monastic under the dharmic name Dieu Tan, and spent her life in pure cultivation.

Not only offering her biological son to the Triple Gem, Female Monastic Dieu Tan also extended her compassion back to her hometown in Hue to guide and liberate her maternal relatives. Through exemplary physical conduct, she led her two biological nephews (the sons of her two biological sisters, who called her Aunt) to the temple to ordain as novices when they turned 12. All three young novices were welcomed and raised by the Master—Most Venerable Thich Phap Cao—learning and living from childhood under the roof of Nam Quang Temple in Hoi An. Through nurturing merits and guiding blessings, both her son and two maternal nephews have now vowed to dedicate themselves to shouldering monastic affairs, holding abbot positions in Theravada Buddhist monasteries: Venerable Thich Phap Hieu as Abbot of Tam Bao Monastery (Da Nang), Venerable Thich Phap Trung as Abbot of Nam Quang Temple (Da Nang), and Venerable Thich Phap Hanh as Abbot of Thai Binh Temple (Da Nang).

Nurtured in this rare and pure cradle of spiritual flavor, from early childhood, young novice Phap Hieu bathed his soul in the solemn temple bells and smoke of liberation incense. Under the strict and compassionate guidance and upbringing of his Master, Most Venerable Thich Phap Cao, the young novice gradually learned humility, swept the temple courtyards, performed manual labor, and nourished the vow of renunciation, taking the cultivation of scriptures and monastic discipline as his guiding compass in early life.

II. The Path of Novice Ordination, Higher Ordination in Myanmar, and Profound Learning

Reaching the age of 18, endowed with auspicious conditions and the deportment of a beginner seeking the Dharma, the novice was thoughtfully guided by his Master, Most Venerable Thich Phap Cao, to the ancient capital of Hue to receive novice ordination from the senior patriarch—Most Venerable Ho Nhan, a renowned, austere, and disciplined forest elder, abbot of Thien Lam Temple (Hue). Beneath the solemn shadow of moral discipline of this most venerable and respected elder of Vietnamese Theravada Buddhism, Venerable Phap Hieu grew even steadier on the monastic path of liberation, day and night devoting himself to upholding monastic discipline and temple deportment.

With an aspiration to deeply penetrate the Southern Tipitaka and access the pristine source of Theravada, from 2001 to 2003, Venerable Phap Hieu traveled to Myanmar to intensively study and practice at Mahavisuddha-yon Monastery (Pāli University). On May 29, 2003 (Thursday, the 14th day of Kasoun in 1365 Burmese Era), turning 20 years old, at the solemn Ordination Hall of Mahavisuddha-yon Monastery (Nandawan Road, Bahan Township, Yangon), he officially received higher Bhikkhu ordination, receiving the Pali dharmic name "Kusaladhamma". The ordination platform was presided over by the Tripiṭakadhara Most Venerable Yaw Sayadaw (Tipiṭakadhara - Dhammabhaṇḍāgārika - Aggamahāpaṇḍita) as Preceptor; Venerable Indaka, Venerable Nandavamsa, and Pāli senior preceptors acted as Kammavācā Readers, along with the witness of the solemn Sangha assembly and lay sponsor Daw Khin Nweit Ri. The pure ordination received at the sacred site of Theravada Buddhism officially welcomed the young monastic into the supreme monastic assembly.

After receiving Bhikkhu ordination, Venerable Phap Hieu continued his path of cultivating both secular and international Buddhist knowledge: studying at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCMC, Van Hanh Buddhist Institute, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, and successfully completing the Master's program in Pali Buddhist Studies in Sri Lanka. Strict disciplinary transmission from senior elders combined with profound Pāli academic foundations and strong foreign language skills established a solid footing for his journey of propagating the true Dharma, bringing the spirit of Compassion and Harmony to connect all directions.

III. Temple Management and Service to the Sangha

Returning to the country after years of studying abroad, the Venerable dedicated his entire religious energy and enthusiasm to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. From 2012 to 2019, he served as a Managing Board Member of Tam Bao Temple (Da Nang), actively participating in monastic affairs, building a solemn practice community, and engaging with the public.

Entering his thirties, endowed with religious affinity and entrusted by the Sangha, Venerable Thich Phap Hieu officially assumed the position of Abbot of Tam Bao Patriarchal Monastery... With a vow of service and a sense of responsibility, the Central Sangha and local Sangha entrusted him with many heavy responsibilities:

• Member of the Central International Buddhist Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha;
• Deputy Head of the Office of the Central Information and Communication Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, in charge of Kinh Theravada Buddhism;
• Member of the Executive Board of the Online Buddhist News Channel (Kênh Phật Sự Online);
• Standing Member of the Executive Board, Deputy Permanent Head of the International Buddhist Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Da Nang City.

In any position, the Venerable always acts prudently and devotedly, propagating the true Dharma and glorifying the harmony of the Southern meditation lineage within the common home of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

IV. Central Delegate Role in International Buddhist Diplomatic Forums

Alongside domestic monastic activities, Venerable Thich Phap Hieu has enthusiastically served in people's diplomacy and international cultural exchanges. The Sangha has repeatedly appointed him as an official member accompanying high-level delegations of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha led by senior religious leaders to attend important international Buddhist conferences:

• Mekong – Lancang Buddhist Exchange Conference in China (2023): Approved by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and decided by the Executive Council of the VBS, the Venerable accompanied the high-level VBS delegation led by Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Thich Thien Tam (Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Permanent Vice Head of the Central International Buddhist Committee) to attend the Conference in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China. At the conference, the Venerable presented a scientific paper titled: "The Process of Translating the Pali Tipitaka, Pali Scriptures, and Digitizing the Pali Tipitaka into Vietnamese in Vietnam", contributing to widely spreading the voice of harmony, identity, and cultural similarity of Buddhism in the Mekong River basin.
• International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) General Assembly in India (2023): In November 2023, the Venerable was an official member of the Central VBS delegation attending the IBC General Assembly under the theme "Collective Wisdom, United Voice" in New Delhi, India, joining venerable representatives in bringing the peaceful and wise voice of Vietnamese Buddhism to friends across five continents.
• South China Sea Buddhist Roundtable Conference in Vientiane, Laos (October 2026): Continuing active contributions to people's diplomacy and international Buddhist exchanges, the Venerable was an official member of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha delegation led by Venerable Thich Duc Thien (National Assembly Deputy, Vice Chairman cum General Secretary of the Executive Council, Head of the Central International Buddhist Committee of the VBS) to attend the South China Sea Buddhist Roundtable Conference held in Vientiane, Lao PDR from October 26 to October 30, 2026.

V. Highlights of People's Diplomacy: Strengthening the Special Vietnam – Laos Friendship

In the nation's three-pillar foreign policy structure, people's diplomacy plays the role of a solid social "foundation". Imbued with the principle "The Dharma accompanies the Nation", Venerable Thich Phap Hieu has flexibly applied the similarities of Theravada Buddhism, contributing to building Tam Bao Patriarchal Monastery into a bridge of affection, deeply binding traditional friendly relations between the fraternal nations of Vietnam and Laos:

• Sponsoring Study Accommodation for Lao Monks: Recognizing major difficulties in maintaining 227 monastic rules and the midday meal restriction when young Lao monks reside in secular dormitories, the Venerable opened the inner sanctuary of Tam Bao Temple to fully sponsor board, lodging, permitted food, medical care, and study facilities. Beneath the monastic roof, monks from both countries chant Pali scriptures together and go on alms-rounds together, helping them preserve pure monastic discipline before returning to serve the Kingdom of Elephants.
• Homestay Program and Compassionate Vietnamese Classes: With compassion and monastic responsibility, the Venerable persistently deployed the "Homestay" program—coordinating with the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association to sponsor displaced Lao students. He directly organized free Vietnamese language classes right at the temple, thoughtfully imparting letters, poems, and karmic lessons, helping them eliminate language barriers in a foreign land. Tam Bao Temple became a warm second home filled with traditional sticky rice meals and Lamvong dances of friendship.
• Spiritual Anchor for Diplomats and Expatriates: For diplomats of the Consulate General of Lao PDR in Da Nang, Tam Bao Temple is a peaceful haven to alleviate homesickness for the land of Champa flowers. The Venerable solemnly presided over and coordinated traditional major festivals: Bunpimay Water Festival, International Kathina Robe-Offering, Vassa Entry, Vu Lan Filial Piety, and Sukhwan wrist-tying blessing ceremonies.

VI. Da Nang – A Dynamic International City and Tam Bao Patriarchal Monastery: A Multilateral Buddhist Exchange Bridge

Located at the center of the Central region, the terminal point of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), Da Nang city has long affirmed its position as a modern, livable, dynamically integrated, peaceful, and friendly destination. Within the city's open cultural exchange and people's diplomacy, legal religious organizations actively accompany and contribute social resources to promoting a compassionate, hospitable, and culturally rich Da Nang.

Joining the city's development, under the direction of the Da Nang Buddhist Sangha and close guidance from the Union of Friendship Organizations, Tam Bao Patriarchal Monastery located in the heart of the city has become a typical international spiritual exchange address. Under the abbacy of Venerable Thich Phap Hieu, Tam Bao temple doors are always wide open to welcome venerable monks, nuns, delegations, and devotees from Buddhist countries like Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, China, as well as Southern tradition monastics from Europe and America...

• The Vietnam – Thailand Buddhist Bonding Bridge: On the people's diplomacy forum, the Venerable serves as a bridge welcoming major Buddhist delegations from the Royal Family and Thai monastic community visiting Da Nang.
• Deep Bone-and-Flesh Spiritual Bond with Sri Lanka and the Honorary Title "Lokattha Cariya": Having spent many years studying and graduating with a Master's degree in Buddhist Studies in Sri Lanka, the Venerable always harbors deep gratitude for the Southern Buddhist source there. Particularly, to recognize his enormous merits in propagating the pristine Pali Tipitaka and contributing tirelessly to people's diplomacy, on January 29, 2025, the Sri Lankan monastic assembly Ramanna Maha Nikaya (Kelaniya Regional Sangha Council, Sri Lanka) solemnly issued an Edict conferring upon the Venerable (Ven. Kusaladhamma Thero) the noble honorary title: "LOKATTHA CARIYA" (The Noble Practice for the Welfare of the World / Bậc Hạnh Nguyện Phụng Sự Nhân Sinh).

VII. Recognition by the Sangha, State, and International Friends

• Elected as a Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association (term 2023 – 2028), Member of the Executive Committee of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations.
• Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee (2024) for outstanding achievements in people's diplomacy;
• Certificate of Merit from the Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse, Laos (2024) for consolidating comprehensive Vietnam – Laos solidarity in Southern Laos;
• Certificate of Merit from the Central Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Association (2024);
• Certificate of Merit from the Central Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association (2025) along with letters of praise from the Consulate General of Lao PDR in Da Nang;
• Numerous Edicts of Praise and Noble Merit Certificates from the Executive Council of the VBS, Central International Buddhist Committee, Central Information and Communication Board, Central Social Charity Board, and Da Nang Buddhist Sangha.

Conclusion From a young novice sowing auspicious seeds at the Buddha's gate, enduring years of disciplined practice, academic pursuit, and dedicated service, Venerable Thich Phap Hieu today remains steadfast on the path of serving the Dharma and the Nation. Wearing simple yellow kasāya robes, with compassion and harmony, the Venerable continues the vows of predecessors, using the Dharma to connect auspicious bonds everywhere; contributing to preserving the special Vietnam – Laos friendship forever "deeper than the Red River and Cuu Long rivers", while spreading the beauty of Buddhist culture and tightening traditional solidarity with friends in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and regional countries.