A person like Mr. Tran Van Khe is well respected by everyone. He was a gifted person of the country. But his talent is not so important as his commitment and ways of thinking about his responsibility to Vietnamese people.
When working with him, I did not see him as an important person. He appeared so normal that the person in front of him did not feel down. Later, he did not want me to call him teacher or professor, but “call me brother!” I told him “You are like a Bodhisattva walking in this world. You are a great person but you don’t make others feel you are great. This is what attracts people. Your speeches are easily understood.”
He was very lucky because he and his family lived in the province which was the origin of cai luong. If he could have completed and presented the document about cai luong to UNESCO, that would be perfect! But it is life. It means there are unfinished works. Nevertheless, his life and passing were very beautiful.
English has two words “worry” and “take care”. There are people who always worry about work. “Take care” means to take time and do things with care. He belongs with the later type. This is what I learned from him. When one is loved and gains respect from the public, one should work and live like him.
Scientist Einstein invented the relative theory, Buddhism has a neutrality. I think we should appreciate what we have since one day it will be gone. If one often thinks like this, one would not harm others. The most admired manner about Mr. Khe is that he lived, worked and tried very hard not to hurt anyone. If we are too aggressive, we might overact and accidentally hurt others without knowing it. Professor Khe did not have this tendency.
Most of all, he kept his private life to himself and resolved it without bothering other people. I admire and respect the way he lived. Everyone has their own prejudice, their own suffer. We all come and go. It is the universal rule. It is lucky for those who come with welcome and go in sorrow from others. He was that kind of person.
N. M. HA (Recorded) – Tien Phong Newspaper (25/06/2015)