Enlightenment

Stories with the Enlightenment theme:

• The Tale of the Coconut Monk Jul 9, 2025

  

  In the lush Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, where countless waterways weave through emerald rice paddies and tropical fruit orchards, there stood an ancient Buddhist temple called Chua Dua—the Coconut Temple. It earned this unusual name because of the hundreds of coconut palms that surrounded it, their fronds rustling like gentle prayers in the river breeze.

  The temple was home to many monks, but none was more beloved than a humble brother known simply as Thay Dua—the Coconut Monk. His real name had been forgotten long ago, even by himself, for he had given up all attachments to worldly identity in his quest for spiritual truth.