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Less than 4 weeks after his Oct. 20, 2007 TEXASIA performance, we lost our dear Master Thanh. For nearly a quarter century, Master Nguyen Cao Thanh and his Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society performed the ancient graceful art of Tai Chi for our Festival audiences. We will miss him very much- his happy energy and peaceful wisdom.
Master Thanh’s family and devoted students will continue his good work in remembrance of his goodwill. He gave so many so much and left this world a better place.
For this, we at TEXASIA dedicate Houston’s 29th Asian American Festival to the memory of this gifted spiritual and community leader.
With deep affection, we honor the life of Master Nguyen Cao Thanh.
Glenda Joe
Director
Narrative by Duc Q Nguyen
In this year of 2008, Houston’s Annual Asian American Festival is missing forever a great supporter- Master Nguyen Cao Thanh. Master Thanh was the founder of Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society, a leader of the City’s Vietnamese community and a spiritual advisor of the United Buddhist Congregation of Vietnam in the United States of America.
Master Thanh passed away on November 14, 2007 at Houston Methodist Hospital.
The late Master Nguyen Cao Thanh was born in Ha Dong, Vietnam He grew up in a family of confucianism and Buddhism. Master Thanh could not live under the atrocious repression of the regime of communist
dictatorship.
Master Thanh had to leave the country of his birth. He resettled in the United States of America by way of the Galang Island of Indonesia in 1984.
After arriving in his new country of freedom and democracy, Master Nguyen Cao Thanh began teaching free Zen Taichi classes regularly at several locations, including Saint Thomas University, Bayland Community Center, Bellaire Professional Building, Sharptown Community Center, Jerabeck Center, Phat Quang Temple, and Linh Son Temple.
Master Nguyen Cao Thanh was also a lecturer on Zen TaiChi at the Rice University for many years until his recent retirement.
Even at 85 years-old, rain or shine, non-stop for twenty three years, Master Nguyen Cao Thanh continued to teach. To every class he encouraged his students to practice Zen Taichi in order to achieve a healthy body and a happy mind to be in touch with the cosmic life force. He always preached that the goal of Zen Taichi practice is to acquire perfect health, inner peace, harmony, self discipline, and a relaxed, enjoyable way of life.
Moreover, Master Nguyen Cao Thanh fulfilled another equally important mission of fostering an understanding and cooperation among people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. He strove to contribute his humble share to the building of a healthier, gentler, more compassionate and peaceful Greater Houston Community.
Promoting this spirit, every year Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society has performed at the City sponsored Annual Asian American Festival each October. In addition, Master Thanh’s Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society has organized the Sunrise Festival on the 3rd Sunday of March for 24 years. The Sunrise Festival features the demonstration of Zen Taichi, a youth forum, a tribute to the elders, the Dragon Dance, and many other performing arts.
In the lifetime of community service, Master Nguyen Cao Thanh wrote countless articles, poems, and gave many lectures about the oriental culture, education, and spiritual ways. His writings and publications provided valuable guidance on how to alleviate worry and be free of anxiety and fear. He shared with his readers the path to achieve a peaceful, harmonious mind and spiritual freedom.
The Annual Asian American Festival 2008 celebrates not only all these achievements, but also commemorates Master Nguyen Cao Thanh as great advocator for understanding and tolerance. He contributed endless energy as driving force for balance and harmony for Greater Houston.
In honor of his life, we re-commit ourselves to work harder to make Houston an even greater city- a peaceful, wonderful, and harmonious place to live.
- Master Nguyen Cao Thanh’s Biographical Notes
- Lecturer of Zenobics Taichi at Rice University
- Founder, President of the Thien Sinh Hoi Zenobics Society
- Former Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mekong University
- Former Commissioner General of Buddhist Youth of the United Buddhist Congregation Vietnam
- Former Secretary General, World Buddhist Social Services
- President of the Executive Council, World Vietnam, Buddhist Order with chapters in the USA, Canada, France, and Australia
- President, the Cultural, Educational, and Social Center of the World Vietnamese Buddhist Order in Texas
- International Understanding and Cooporation Chairman, District 2-S2 Lions Clubs International
- Member of the Board of Directors, the Lighthouse of Houston
- President of the Council of Representative, The Federation of Overseas Frees Vietnamese Communities
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