Tag Archives: Confucius

A Pilgrimage to Chùa Dâu, the Oldest Buddhist Temple in Việt Nam

05 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Ancient Ensemble of Tonkin, Composers, Contemporary Music, Food, Hanoi, Hanoi New Music Ensemble, LA International New Music Festival, Minh Dam Quang, Paris, Travel, Uncategorized, Vietnam, Vu Nhat Tan

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Chua Dau, at 3000 years the oldest Buddhist temple in Viet Nam.

Chùa Dâu, at 3000 years the oldest Buddhist temple in Việt Nam.

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Confucius

Rarely do I experience the guardian angels of my life coming back to Earth, encircling me with love, humility, thankfulness, generosity and, as I acknowledge the unavoidable fate of being human, life memory. As momentous as a baptism, wedding or funeral, these rare moments of spiritual contact leave a new connection, refreshing me for the next chapters of my life.

At Chùa Dâu, the oldest Buddhist temple in Việt Nam, I had one of those spiritual moments finding the guardian angel, the bodhisattva, of my work in Southeast Asia, Loi Trinh Le.

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Loi Trinh Le and my Journey to the East

19 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by in Composers, Contemporary Music, Education, Food, LA International New Music Festival, Music, Southwest Chamber Music, Travel, Uncategorized, Vietnam

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A lotus pond in Hoi An.

A lotus pond in Hội An.

Loi Trinh Le.

As I dream of Việt Nam in anticipation of my return, I dream also of the love that turned me towards the East.  As with most love stories, people get involved and shape the narrative.  My compass, my guide, my mentor and inspiration in this love was Loi Trinh Le.

We called her Trinh.  A diminutive but imposing woman, she was a highly gifted acupuncturist with numerous celebrity patients thrown in for good measure. But everyone had to find her modest house in Culver City for treatments. Trinh navigated me through life’s challenges, imposing Buddhist tough love when necessary and then countering with a warmth of abounding compassion.

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Returning to Hà Nội!

17 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Composers, Contemporary Music, Food, Music, Travel, Uncategorized, Vietnam

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Hi Everyone!

I am beginning this blog today as my wife Jan Karlin and I prepare to return to Hà Nội, Việt Nam!  Southwest’s  Ascending Dragon Festival was in 2010 and composer Vũ Nhật Tân was in Los Angeles for a two month residency in 2012.

So it is time to begin the next chapter in this love affair I have with Southeast Asia, meeting new contacts and renewing old friendships.  This blog will follow us through the streets of the Old Quarter of Hà Nội (foodies beware!), reunions and adventures.  I am sure this trip will shape part of the next LA International New Music Festival!

Confucius was right:  the greatest joy is visiting with a friend from afar!

Best, best, best,

Jeff von der Schmidt