OASIS OF CALM; BUDDHIST MONKS-IN-TRAINING SEEKING PEACE IN THE VALLEY.

Byline: Sharline Chiang Daily News Staff Writer

It's 5 a.m. A bell sounds three times at the Phat Hoc Vien Quoc-Te Temple, signaling a new day.

Ten monks rise from their quarters, slip into gold-colored robes and head to the temple a few steps away. A stone path rimmed with red amaryllis, roses and snowy mayflowers leads the way.

The spicy scent of incense fills the temple's atrium as the monks bow before a statue of Siddhartha Gautama, the original Buddha and the founder of Buddhism.

With hands clasped they chant:

``Om mi to fo, Om mi to fo, Om mi to fo.''

No, this is not some faraway Shangri-la.

Tucked between homes and Francisco Sepulveda Middle School on Columbus Avenue lies the San Fernando Valley's only Vietnamese Buddhist monastery. Monks from around the world have come here in search of enlightenment for the past 17 years.

On May 10, this center of serenity gave way to rejoicing when the monks and other Buddhists honored the birthday of Buddha, marked by the 15th day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar.

Today, Phat Hoc Temple offers a formal celebration with lectures and food, clothing and money for the needy. As part of the ceremony, a flock of pigeons will be released to signify universal peace.

According to Buddhist tradition, the Indian Prince Siddhartha renounced materialism to help others. Through altruism and meditation under the bodhi tree, the tree of enlightenment, Siddhartha emerged as the ``Enlightened One'' - the first Buddha.

Buddha's doctrine, called dharma, teaches mankind that while suffering is part of existence, by eliminating desire one can ease suffering and reach a state of peace called nirvana.

Thic Duc-Niem is helping others get there. Unlike other monasteries, Phat Hoc Temple is also a training school for monks.

``I hope they become like me, so they can help and counsel other people and give others happiness and peace,'' the master said, speaking in Chinese.

When he created the monastery in 1981, Duc-Niem was searching the Los Angeles area for a place to build his dream training institute. A disciple pointed out a quaint house for sale in North Hills.

``It was fated,'' he said.

Today, 15,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese live in the Valley and at least 4,000 are Buddhists.

Most of the monks are young men in their early 20s, with the exception of one nun. All of them have left behind families, friends and pasts often filled with memories of wars, poverty and hopelessness.

In Vietnam, where most of them come from, the practice of Buddhism is restricted and temples are controlled by the communist government.

Thic Quang Hanh, 20, a fresh-faced novice training to become a monk, came to America at age 13 without his parents, seeking a better life.

He settled with relatives in Massachusetts but found the transition unbearable.

``When I came, I experienced a lot of stress and disappointment. I felt kind of miserable,'' Quang Hanh said, setting 10 pairs of chopsticks for dinner.

He found master Duc-Niem's name through books on Buddhism and joined the monastery three years ago. In three to four more years, he hopes to be ordained.

``I wanted to be a monk because I wanted to realize my dream to be a Buddha, and to realize happiness,'' Quang Hanh said. ``Sure, outside there are a lot of things, but you cannot satisfy yourself. It brings only more frustration.''

By being here, the monks have committed themselves to a life of celibacy and simplicity, one devoid of modern luxuries and filled with good deeds to ease the pain of others.

Their days are simple, but regimented. Each day they follow a set schedule. A typical day begins with worship. Chores, which include weeding, gardening and mopping, follow. Some days they learn Mandarin, since the original sutras - sermons of Buddha - are offered in Chinese. Dinner is held at 6 p.m. They watch the 7 o'clock news, only so they can learn English. They chant and retire for bed by 10:30 p.m.

Most go to college during the day, studying English at Valley College or California State University, Northridge.

Their own experiences as newcomers to a foreign land help them reach out to the many new immigrants in the Valley, the monks say.

On Sunday mornings, worshippers step inside the grounds as if they've crossed into Brigadoon.

Escaping the stress of everyday life, they come to pray and listen to teachings. They also cook for the monks and tidy the garden, which includes a crescent-shaped goldfish pond and 10-foot golden bodhisattva. Farther back the monks are starting a larger lily and koi pond in an old swimming pool, complete with rusted diving board.

Shaded beneath trees bearing dates, persimmons, peaches and plums, the temple's enchanted garden seems frozen in time. Birds chirp. Gentle breezes strum chimes along the temple's eaves. All else is silent.

At times the ancient and modern collide.

In their first few years the monks were met with resistance. Their morning wake-up call used to be the gong of a heavy bronze bell, but the monks had to replace it with a more subtle buzz of an electronic doorbell when fellow suburbanites reminded the monks they prefer to rise to their own alarm clocks.

Through dialogue and exchange, complaints have faded away, the monks say.

Outside their gates each afternoon, children and parents of predominantly Latino families enjoy the fields of Francisco Sepulveda Middle School, right across the street from the monastery. Fathers kick soccer balls to their sons. Mothers in sweat shirts walk briskly in pairs as the sun sinks behind the hills.

The monks encourage them to stop by.

Sitting in his library, the master said he is warmed when outsiders visit his temple. He makes sure they feel at home and welcomes them to visit the gardens as a sanctuary.

Before they leave, he fills their arms with free booklets on Buddhism in English.

``Today everyone is rushing forward. Their hearts are unsettled,'' he said. ``If those people come to talk to us, eat with us and meditate they will leave with peaceful hearts and calm.''

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7 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color in Bulldog Edition only) Thic Quang Tri receives his biweekly trim from fellow monk Thic Quang Hanh at the Phat Hoc Vien Quoc-Te Temple.

(2--Color in Bulldog Edition only) Buddhist master Thic Duc-Niem, center, leads evening prayers at Phat Hoc Vien Quoc-Te Temple in North Hills.

(3--4--Color) One reads a sutra in Mandarin, above. Right, Monks pray before beginning their dinner at the Vietnamese Buddhist temple in North Hills.

(5--Color) Buddhist nun Thic Nu Dieu Tanh passes by a statue of Buddha on her way to cut cherry blossoms in the garden of the Phat Hoc Vien Quoc-Te Temple in North Hills.

(6--Color) Sandals deck the doorstep of the Buddhist temple where Thic Quang Thien lives.

(7--Color) Buddhist master Thic Duc-Niem teaches sutra.

Photos by Phil McCarten/Daily News