Silenced Voices: The Rise and Tragic Fall of Tinh That Bong Lai’s Young Musicians

The Zen Monastery by the Edge of the Universe (formerly known as Tinh That Bong Lai) was established in 1990 and was initially called “Thanh Duc Elderly and Orphan Care Center,” founded by monk Le Tung Van. Van was previously a dignitary of Buu Son Ky Huong religion, one of the religious organizations that used Buddha’s teachings as their foundation for spiritual practice.

Thanh Duc Center was located in Pham Van Hai commune, Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City, in what was originally a primitive, barren area (along with Le Minh Xuan commune located opposite on Provincial Road 10). This area was designated for Saigon residents who were business owners and traders who had their assets seized and properties confiscated, and were forced to become farmers, changing their normal way of life – a government policy at that time commonly referred to with the terrifying phrase “going to new economic zones.” Additionally, poor people who wished to farm were also relocated to these areas, and their houses would be dismantled or given to officials of that time.

Despite the harsh living conditions and uncultivated land, with the spirit of “self-reliance and independent cultivation” inherited from Buu Son Ky Huong’s philosophy, Le Tung Van and his disciples persevered through difficulties to survive and practice their faith through everyday work such as digging ponds for fish farming, growing vegetables, and producing soy sauce and tofu to sustain their members and to receive and care for elderly people without families, displaced women, and abandoned newborns.

Life went on normally but there were always lurking risks. In 2004, someone came to discuss cooperation to expand operations but actually intended to exploit Van’s reputation for profit, which led to the suspension of Thanh Duc Center’s activities in 2007. At that time, the Center had about 60 people, including 20 children.

Undiscouraged, after some time arranging and resolving complications, Van and his disciples moved to Hoa Khanh Tay commune, Duc Hoa district, Long An province to continue their practice. In 2015, after many challenges and with the efforts of its members, Tinh That Bong Lai was established on a property of about 2000m2. Though simply built, it was decent and solemn with a main hall and statues of various religions.

The members, both young and old, had a place to eat, rest, live, and practice. Notably, the young members who were passionate about singing achieved success in television competitions. They also created a YouTube channel with over two million subscribers and millions of views for each published video. As a result, the temple’s reputation grew, receiving much support, and naturally, their income improved. The members no longer had to work in harsh weather conditions; instead, they had opportunities to study and improve their knowledge, exercise, create musical works and plays, and practice their faith peacefully.