The Novice: A Story of True Love

ThisistherenownedBuddhistteacher'stimelessparableaboutthefirstBuddhistnun.ThichNhatHanh's"TheNovice"exploresthefourkeyaspectsofloveintheBuddhisttradition:lovingkindness,compassion,joy,andfreedom.BorntoanaristocraticfamilyinruralVietnam,KinhTam'suncommonbeautyandintelligencewereobviousfromanearlyage.Asayoungwoman,shewasdrawntotheteachingsofBuddhaandthemonasticlife.Buttopleaseherfamily,sheagreedtowalkthetraditionalpathofmarriage.Despitehernobleefforts,KinhTam'sunioncouldn'tovercomethefearandunhappinessofhernewhusband'sfamily.Shewascastoutofhermarriageforameremisunderstanding.Suddenly,KinhTamrealizedthatshemustfollowherheart.UnfortunatelyBuddhismwasstillquiteyounginVietnamandconventsforwomendidnotyetexist.Therewassimplynopathpossibleforthisyounggirl.ThusKinhTamhadnochoice.Shieldingheridentity,shejoinedamonasteryasamanandbecameavirtuousnoviceformanyyears.KinhTam'sidentityremainedhiddenandherlifecontentuntilonedaywheneverythingchanged.Alocalpregnantgirl,notknowingKinhTam'ssecret,accusesthenoviceofimpregnatingher.KinhTamisthenfacedwithalifealteringchoice:revealheridentitytoexposethefraudulentaccusationordenyculpabilityandtakethepunishment.ThisisacompellingnewformofteachingforZenMasterThichNhatHanhandwith"TheNovice",hebringsusclosertounderstandingthebeautyofthetruecompassionthatlieswithinusall.