The Su Ba

Text Box: The Su Ba I was told that “Su Ba” Translates to “Grandmother Nun” or “Highest Nun.” The Su Ba is the head of the pagoda of nuns associated with Tu Hieu Pagoda...the monks are in one pagoda and the nuns are ‘next door.’ The Su Ba and Thich Nhat Hanh were both young monk/nun, at around the same time, although the Su Ba has about 15 years in age on him (Thay was in his late seventies and the SuBa 92 at the time of our visit). Often the integral workings of the pagodas’ workings overlap: when I was in the room ‘interviewing’ the Su Ba, the monks from Tu Hieu were in the next room performing the afternoon chant to the Buddha. At the time that I was there, the monks of Tu Hieu were helping the nuns expand the structure on their meditation hall. I told my interpreter that I had a digital video recorder with me, and to tell the Su Ba that, if she wished, I would record a conversation of her for Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh). I would then put it on videotape when I returned home and send it to Plum Village for Thay to see. The Su Ba took me up on the offer. At that time, the Su Ba and Thay had not seen each other since the 1960’s...he was still in exile, and he had not yet made his momentous return in 2005. She spoke without interruption for an hour, while we sat next to her. Mostly stories about the old days (gee...she was 90+ years old at the time (2001), so that would be Vietnam in the 1930’s and 40’s...), when times were hard and food was scarce...the French were around and America didn’t even know where Vietnam was. Then she spoke about the ongoing construction of the meditation hall, and other goings on around the pagoda. During the interview, with Katherine in my lap, with the sound of the monks’ voices from the other side of the door, I remember thinking “most people live their whole lives, and never have as wonderful a single experience as this one moment. And here I am. Here because of this child, and because of so many things, and I am so lucky, so blessed.” (notice the goofy look on my face!) The Su Ba finished her stories, then turned to Katherine and I. She made a few comments about the child who had been patient for most of the hour, then drew out her prayer beads. Lifting her arm up, she tantalizingly held them our before Katherine, swinging them to and for before her. I was sure that Katherine would reach out to grab them, inquisitive child that she was, but she did not. She watched them carefully but kept her hands to herself. The Su Ba laughed and said a few words to Christine, our translator. “Tibetan test.” she said, and paused. “She won’t take them.” “She won’t be a nun...she’ll be a lay-practitioner, like her mom.” When I returned home, I contacted Plum Village, letting them know that I had the video and asking who I should send it to. (Mind you, at the time, the Vietnamese government perhaps would not be pleased with me transmitting this information, as ‘diplomatic ties’ with Thich Nhat Hanh had not yet been reestablished) A nun there responded that she would pass it on, and a few weeks later let me know that Thay, Sister Chan Khong and others had viewed it and that “it was good to see the Su Ba after all these years.”