Ky Nguyen
Ky Q. Nguyen, M.D., has been a Buddhist practitioner in the Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) tradition for 25 years. Ky first met Thay at a retreat in 1999 where he received the Five Mindfulness Training, with the Dharma name Tolerance of the Heart. Following Thay’s teaching, he founded the Tam Bao Temple Mindfulness Sangha and helped instill mindfulness practices into the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association in The United States, in which he has been a member for 42 years. In 2007, he was ordained into the Order of Interbeing, receiving the Dharma title True Source of Joy.
Compassionate in caring for others, he serves on the Board of the Sakya Care Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that provides free medical care through medical missions. He participated in numerous medical missions in the United States and Vietnam, serving underserved communities for the last 12 years
Ky received his Doctor of Medicine degree and completed his residency training at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He has been taking care of newborns to teenagers as a pediatrician for the last 28 years at Ochsner Clinic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Austin Regional Clinic, Austin, Texas.
Ky is very enthusiastic to be a part of Planting Seeds MPC. He feels this is one of the ways to pay tribute to Thay and to continue Thay’s teachings for future generations.
Ky’s favorite quote from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
“If We Really Know How To Live, What Better Way To Start The Day Than With A Smile? Our Smile Affirms Our Awareness And Determination To Live In Peace And Joy. Look Deeply, And Smile. The Source Of A True Smile Is An Awakened Mind”
Myha Tran
Myha Tran feels fortunate to be born into a Buddhist family. In 1987, she received the Five Mindfulness Training from the most venerable Abbot Thich Nguyen Hanh at the Viet Nam Buddhist Temple with the Dharma name Nguyen Thanh. Myha first met Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) and his monastic students in 1999 at the Maple Forest Monastery.
Thanks to the practice of mindfulness, Myha was able to take care of her mind and body by overcoming suffering, fear, anger, and despair during difficult situations. After several years of practicing and attending retreats, in March of 2004, she was ordained into the Order of Interbeing and was given the Dharma title True Mindfulness of Compassion. Deeply grateful to Thay’s teaching, together with five other friends, she helped build a mindfulness practice center in Batesville, MS, which was later donated to Plum Village Monastics and became what is now Magnolia Grove Monastery.
Myha was a single mother and worked hard to raise her son who is very well educated and owns his own successful business. She has spent her career as an aesthetician where her practice offers a peaceful and meditative ambiance. She is also committed to giving back to her community by volunteering weekly for her manicure services to the elderly at Focused Care Nursing Home. During her spare time, she loves to be still, calm, at ease, read, walk, laugh, listen to dharma talks, and treasure her visits with her son.
Myha is happy to be part of Planting Seeds MPC, where children can be safe in a loving environment, where adults can cultivate understanding and love, and where everyone can work together to build brotherhood and sisterhood.
Myha’s most inspired Thay’s quote below reminds her that when conditions are sufficient, all lives continue in different forms.
Myha’s favorite quote from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
“A Cloud Never Dies”
Amanda Ton
Born into a family of Buddhist practitioners, Amanda grew up surrounded by the teachings of Buddhism but didn’t fully connect with the practice until later in life. Busy raising three children and supporting her husband’s medical career, Amanda also built a successful career of her own. It wasn’t until 2013, when life began to slow down, that she and her husband reconnected with the Việt Nam Buddhist Temple, where her parents had been involved since its founding.
A chance meeting with the Abbot rekindled their connection, especially during the temple’s rebuilding after a roof collapse in 2014. In 2019, a personal tragedy brought Amanda closer to the temple, where she found comfort and peace. Her journey took a transformative turn in 2022 when she discovered the teachings of Plum Village through Sister Joy, embracing mindfulness for its gentle, healing approach.
Since 2021 Amanda has been a coordinator for the English Service at VietNam Buddhist Center. Amanda has also been part of a dedicated team organizing monthly Days of Mindfulness at the temple, helping others find peace and presence since 2023. Her Dharma name, Nguyễn Tịnh, reflects her deep commitment to cultivating inner tranquility and mindfulness.
Amanda holds a degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M and works as Managing Director of a boutique wealth management firm. With over 30 years in the investment industry, she finds joy in balancing her professional life with personal passions like reading, gardening, and caring for her six Maltese dogs.
Her vision is to create a community where mindfulness can be practiced and shared across generations, guided by compassionate teachers and practitioners. Inspired by Thầy’s words, “I have arrived. I am home,” Amanda finds true peace in the present moment, embracing each day with mindfulness and grace.
Amanda’s favorite quote from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
“I Have Arrived, I Am Home”
Huy Le
Huy Le credits Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s countless Dhamar talks and the book “The Miracle of Mindfulness” for allowing him to be born again after a tragedy. He finally met Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic students in 2019 and since has practiced diligently with the local sangha. He has been very active in organizing and participating in days of mindfulness retreats for adults and children. He is working toward being an OI member.
Huy received a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. He has been working in energy-related fields, ranging from testing renewable technology pilot plants to managing oil and gas construction projects and providing technical support to power plants, including a 16.8 MW solar power plant.
He wants to be a part of Planting Seeds MPC because that is a place where a beloved community can form, where everyone can cultivate happiness, and joy for themselves and others, and where children and young adults can learn and develop skills, insights, and awareness early in their life to have a better life, and where people who have suffered can learn to recover and grow. Huy’s Dharma name is Quang Tú (Radiant Charm).
Huy’s favorite quote from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
“No Mud, No Lotus”
Hao Huynh
Hao Huynh has been practicing mindfulness in the Plum Village tradition for more than 10 years. In 2013, when a tragedy hit her family, Hao unexpectedly discovered Thay’s books at a Barnes and Noble store. Thay’s gentle yet powerful teaching on transforming suffering and living in the present moment allowed Hao to gradually heal herself and embrace life again.
Deeply inspired by Thay’s teaching and the collective energy of “going as a river” of the Plum Village communities, for the last few years, Hao has been actively involved in Sangha’s building. She has been part of a small team from Hoa Vô Ưu Sangha that has organized monthly Days of Mindfulness for children and their families in the Houston area since February 2023.
Hao holds an MBA degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam. She had experience working as a financial and business analyst in various industries (oil and gas, banking, and commercial real estate).
In her free time, Hao enjoys reading, gardening, and playing with her two Chihuahuas. She especially loves working with children and learning from their insights. She homeschooled her youngest child for five years and enjoyed exploring different educational approaches through the process. Her dream is to be part of a community where children are nurtured with love and understanding, and where several generations live, work, and practice mindfulness together. Participating in Planting Seeds is an important step she takes to fulfill that dream.
Hao’s favorite quote from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
“The Tears I Shed Yesterday Have Become Rain”