Historical Figure
Thích Nhất Hạnh
1926–2022
Vietnamese Buddhist monk and activist (1926–2022)
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Biography
Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet, and teacher, who founded the Plum Village Tradition, historically recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. Known as the "father of mindfulness", Nhất Hạnh was a major influence on Western practices of Buddhism.
In Their Own Words (5)
When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other, your mind will enjoy true peace, joy and lightness
Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing , 2005
Undoubtedly, even for enlightened men, however determined they may be, it is very difficult to go against the system. The question posed today is what must we do to prevent ourselves from being taken over by the system? Engaging in political or economic conflict does not seem to be the answer.
Zen Keys (1994), p. 150 , 1994
The quality of our lifedepends on the qualityof the seedsthat lie deep in our consciousness.
Understanding Our Mind (2006) Parallax Press , 2006
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
Page 12 , 1999
Feelings, whether of compassion or irritation, should be welcomed, recognized, and treated on an absolutely equal basis; because both are ourselves. The tangerine I am eating is me. The mustard greens I am planting are me. I plant with all my heart and mind. I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath. Nothing should be treated more carefully than anything else. In mindfulness, compassion, irritation, mustard green plant, and teapot are all sacred.
Page 61 , 1999
Timeline
The story of Thích Nhất Hạnh, told in moments.
Born Nguyen Xuan Bao in Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Fifth of six children. His father was an official in the French colonial administration. Entered a Buddhist monastery at 16.
Exiled from South Vietnam for refusing to support either side in the war. Had founded the School of Youth for Social Services and created the Order of Interbeing. Coined the term "engaged Buddhism."
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr., who called him "an Apostle of peace and nonviolence." The committee gave no prize that year. King was assassinated the following April.
Founded Plum Village monastery in southwest France. It grew into the largest Buddhist monastery in Europe. Taught mindfulness to corporate leaders, prisoners, politicians, and millions of readers through his 100-plus books.
Died at Tu Hieu Temple in Hue at 95. Had returned to Vietnam in 2018 after a 39-year exile, choosing to spend his final years at the temple where he first ordained as a monk.
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