Tim Nguyen shares, "I have been part of a Buddhist family my whole life from starting in Vietnam where we lived...so being here practicing feels very natural, having grown up Buddhist. My parent's teacher was Thich Nhat Hanh and they took me to many gatherings in Thich Nhat Hanh's community where I got used to sitting and practicing. I listened to many Dharma talks from the wonderful teachers under Thich Nhat Hanh also. Then around 30 years ago the family moved to the U.S.

My parents moved to CA and and some years ago I moved to Seattle. I was part of a Buddhist group in Seattle. The closest to my place was "SIMS"--sister group to BIMS--Bellingham Insight Meditation Society here.

When I moved here about 10 years ago, I was seeking a group, a community--and started sitting then with BIMS. Then I started sitting here too.  I feel that it is so important, as a community, to do more than just sitting--the activities draw me in--the work parties...the wilderness experiences (where this photo was taken) ...the social gatherings... These were all important in the community in Vietnam. It was all part of what we did--not just sitting--but building community together.

I miss that aspect, so, this is definitely why I enjoyed coming to the work parties at contributing to our new temple and helping out."

Tim relates that he comes as often as he can--(he takes that bus everywhere!) Hope to see you soon again, Tim, and thank you so much for your contributions to our new temple!  ~ interview by Desiree