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Essence. Wisdom. Passion.
SonMani curates, translates, and shares intriguing insights into tradition, history, and art. The essence of Vietnamese culture, the wisdom of Vajrayana Buddhism, and a passion for lacquer—three values intertwined in a long-term project...

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![Pravira Tara, the Heroine [1/21]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2f1e04_099e08d92c394e8cbc9253ed413be62f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_474,h_267,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/2f1e04_099e08d92c394e8cbc9253ed413be62f~mv2.webp)
So you should view this fleeting world:
A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream,
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.
Shakyamuni Buddha
Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra
Do not pursue the past, do not lose yourself in the future. The past no longer is, the future has not yet come. Looking deeply at life as it is in the very here and now, the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom.
Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh
Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone
Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, be a refuge unto yourselves with no other refuge. Let the dhamma be your island, let the dhamma be your refuge, with no other refuge.
Shakyamuni Buddha
Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
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