Sister Kinh Nghiem, one of the funniest and most stylish nuns in the world, was ordained when she was only 14.
“Get rid of all of your ideas of what monastic practice is. You know, you come here, I mean, the practice is wonderful. And it’s for you to come and see for yourself. But if you start getting ideas of what you expect monastic life to be like, you’ll have a hard time. Because there’s two sides to the coin, if you want to say it, you know? Sometimes the sisters have some expectation, and then you and yourself have some expectation. “Oh, I thought this was a Buddhist community. I think we’re supposed to practice loving kindness and compassion and help, and everybody’s so mean.” You know, I mean, honestly, if you let go of the ideas and just focus on your bodhichitta, focus on what you want. And those other things of how people say things to you, which is sort of like, be a minor, it’s not important.”
You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
This podcast episode from Deer Park Monastery’s Meet the Monastics features Brother Minh An interviewing Sister Kinh Nghiem, a long-time monastic who was ordained at the age of 14. The episode highlights Sister Kinh Nghiem’s journey to monastic life, sharing stories from her childhood, growing up with a deeply Buddhist mother and a non-practicing Catholic father. Sister Kinh Nghiem’s mother was a devoted follower of Thich Nhat Hanh, influencing Sister Kinh Nghiem’s early exposure to Buddhism, despite her initial disinterest.
At 14, Sister Kinh Nghiem attended a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh, and though she had no deep understanding of Buddhism or meditation at the time, his teachings resonated with her, especially on impermanence, suffering, and happiness. She experienced a personal awakening, realizing that she wanted to share these teachings with her peers and help others navigate life’s challenges.
Sister Kinh Nghiem reflects on her decision to become a monastic, noting how it wasn’t initially about finding peace within herself but about helping her friends. She also shares how her parents reacted to her decision, with her mother ultimately allowing her to make the choice herself. Within weeks of attending the retreat, Sister Kinh Nghiem traveled to Plum Village in France, where she was ordained.
Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of letting go of preconceived ideas about monastic life. She explains that the path of a monastic is not about conforming to rigid expectations, but about staying true to one’s intentions and practice, regardless of external challenges or judgments. For her, it was essential to maintain her individuality while also harmonizing with the monastic community.
The episode closes with advice to those considering monastic life: approach it with an open mind, free from expectations, and be ready to face the personal responsibility it entails.