Sister Kính Nghiêm

Sister Kính Nghiêm is one of the elder sisters at Deer Park Monastery, known for her sharp wit, independent spirit, and style. Born and raised in San Diego, she grew up in a deeply Buddhist household, where her mother, a devoted practitioner, woke the family each morning with the sound of sutra chanting and the rhythmic beat of the fish drum. Her connection to Thay (Thích Nhất Hạnh) began early—her grandmother in Vietnam secretly distributed his books when they were banned, and her mother attended every Vietnamese retreat he offered in the U.S., often bringing along a reluctant young Sister Kinh Nghiêm.

Despite her early exposure to Buddhist teachings, she was far more interested in school, friends, and her childhood ambition of becoming a lawyer. However, at the age of 14, everything changed when she attended a Buddhist youth retreat led by Thay. Expecting boredom, she instead found herself captivated by his words, which cut through all distractions and made perfect sense to her. She realized that the teachings held the key to something profound—not just for herself, but for her friends, many of whom were struggling with drugs, depression, and violence. She saw the Dharma as a way to offer them another path.

Within weeks of the retreat, Sister Kính Nghiêm had made the radical decision to ordain. Against the expectations of family, friends, and society, she left high school and traveled to Plum Village, France, where she received ordination in 1997, becoming one of the youngest monastics in the community. Over the decades, she has remained steadfast in her practice, navigating the inevitable challenges of monastic life with humor, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.

Known affectionately as "Sister Chicken" by children at the monastery, she brings a unique flair to the monastic path—often seen wearing a floppy hat, mirrored sunglasses, and carrying a woven basket. She embodies the teaching that monastic life does not require conformity but rather a deep authenticity. She encourages those interested in monastic life to let go of rigid expectations, embrace the unknown, and take full responsibility for their own journey.

A Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam and a U.S. citizen, born in 1983. She entered monastic training in 1997 at the age of 14 and received the novice precepts on February 4, 1998, at Từ Nghiêm Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Phật Chủng and the Dharma title Chân Kính Nghiêm. She belongs to the Cây Táo (Apple Tree) ordination family.

She received full ordination on December 18, 2001, in the Kỷ Nguyên Mới (New Era) Great Ordination Ceremony.

She is the 64th disciple of Thầy in the Plum Village lineage, the 43rd generation in the Lâm Tế (Linji) Zen tradition, and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán Dharma branch.