Sister Bội Nghiêm

Sister Bội Nghiêm, whose name means "True Pearl," ordained in Plum Village, France, in 2005 at the age of 21. She is known for her deep compassion, her commitment to building inclusive and supportive communities, and her ability to bring warmth and energy to her practice. She has dedicated much of her monastic life to guiding teenagers, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and working to create a more welcoming space for BIPOC practitioners in the Plum Village tradition.

Born in central Vietnam, she grew up in a family that endured many hardships. After the war, her father spent seven years in a re-education camp before returning home to become a farmer. Despite financial struggles, her family always had enough to eat, and their close-knit village provided a strong sense of support. As a child, she participated in Buddhist youth programs, but her primary interest in those years was social rather than spiritual.

At the age of 11, she and her family immigrated to the United States, settling in Memphis, Tennessee. The transition was not easy—she struggled academically and socially in her new environment. While studying nursing in college, she experienced her first heartbreak. This suffering led her to attend a Meditation Retreat, which profoundly shifted her perspective. Listening to others share their difficulties, she realized the depth of human suffering and found solace in the practice. This experience sparked her deeper interest in spirituality, eventually leading her to visit Deer Park Monastery and later to Plum Village in France, where she took the next step on her path.

Her journey into monastic life was not without challenges. Knowing that her decision might worry her family, she framed it as a change of university rather than a life-altering commitment. Her parents, though hesitant, neither forbade nor fully supported her choice. Nevertheless, they gave her the freedom to follow her own path, a gift for which she remains deeply grateful.

Over the years, Sister Bội Nghiêm has served in multiple practice centers, spending 14 years at Magnolia Grove Monastery in Mississippi. She was drawn there by gratitude for the lay community who had worked to establish it and by a strong aspiration to bring mindfulness practice to the southern United States. Her time there helped her mature as a practitioner, refine her Dharma teaching skills, and deepen her understanding of suffering—both personal and collective.

Sister Bội Nghiêm carries a deep love for people, and this is evident in her work. She has been a strong advocate for marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ practitioners, creating spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported. She recognizes the systemic barriers that prevent many from feeling at home in spiritual communities and works actively to change that. Her compassionate listening and willingness to challenge her own perceptions have made her a bridge-builder, helping to foster greater understanding and inclusivity.

She also has a special connection with teenagers, relating to their struggles with identity, relationships, and mental health. She sees their suffering clearly and is committed to offering them tools to navigate life with more awareness and resilience. Her ability to meet young people where they are—with authenticity, humor, and presence—has made her a beloved mentor in the community.

For Sister Bội Nghiêm, monastic life is a path of love and service, but also one of profound self-discovery. She speaks often about the importance of self-love, knowing that it is the foundation for everything else. Whether through her mindful breathing, her deep listening, or her joy in simple moments—like listening to birdsong—she embodies the spirit of the practice. Her presence is both dynamic and nurturing, a reminder that true strength lies in kindness, and that healing begins with embracing ourselves just as we are.

A Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, of Vietnamese origin and American nationality, born in 1983. She entered monastic training in 2004 at the age of 21 and received the novice precepts on August 7, 2005, at Pháp Vân Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Nguyên Phúc and the Dharma title Chân Bội Nghiêm. She belongs to the Cây Hướng Dương (Sunflower) ordination family.

She received full ordination on January 12, 2009, in the Mùa Sen Mới (New Lotus Season) Great Ordination Ceremony at Plum Village.

She is the 257th 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.