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| Thich Nhat Hanh | |
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk "who was one of the world's most influential Zen masters, spreading messages of mindfulness, compassion and nonviolence," died January 22, the New York Times reported. He was 95. "Traveling widely on speaking tours in the United States and Europe (he was fluent in English and French), Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced tik nyaht hahn) was a major influence on Western practices of Buddhism, urging the embrace of mindfulness, which his website describes as 'the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment.' "
Sharing the news of his passing, Plum Village, the international community of mindfulness practice centers and monasteries founded by Thich Nhat Hanh (referred to by many of his students as Thay, the traditional title for a master in Vietnamese), said, in part: "Thay has been the most extraordinary teacher, whose peace, tender compassion, and bright wisdom has touched the lives of millions. Whether we have encountered him on retreats, at public talks, or through his books and online teachings--or simply through the story of his incredible life--we can see that Thay has been a true bodhisattva, an immense force for peace and healing in the world. Thay has been a revolutionary, a renewer of Buddhism, never diluting and always digging deep into the roots of Buddhism to bring out its authentic radiance."
A prolific author, poet, teacher and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh was exiled from Vietnam after opposing the war in the 1960s and became a leading voice in a movement he called "engaged Buddhism," the Times wrote. His following grew as he established dozens of monasteries and practice centers around the world. The original Plum Village is near Bordeaux in southwest France. In 2018, he returned home to Hue, in central Vietnam, to live out his last days at the Tu Hieu Temple, where he had become a novice as a teenager.
Thich Nhat Hanh published more than 100 books, including The Miracle of Mindfulness; Peace Is Every Step; The Art of Living; The Path of Emancipation; Awakening the Heart; At Home in the World; You Are Here; Making Space; Breathe, You Are Alive; The Blooming of a Lotus; Happiness; No Mud, No Lotus; Touching Peace; and No Death, No Fear.
In a tribute, Shambahla Publications wrote: "All of us... are saddened by the passing of Thich Nhat Hahn. Thay embodied the all-too-rare qualities of truly living in the moment, having his actions match his words, and conveying the wisdom he gained from years of practice to present the teachings of the Buddha in a simple way that anyone, regardless of their background or belief system, could relate to, be inspired by, and make a reality.... Our palms are together to Thay in appreciation for a life of selfless service to all."
Expressing his condolences, the Dalai Lama said: "In his peaceful opposition to the Vietnam war, his support for Martin Luther King and most of all his dedication to sharing with others not only how mindfulness and compassion contribute to inner peace, but also how individuals cultivating peace of mind contributes to genuine world peace, the Venerable lived a truly meaningful life. I have no doubt the best way we can pay tribute to him is to continue his work to promote peace in the world."
Arnie Kotler, founder of Parallax Press with Thich Nhat Hanh and editor of many of his books, including Being Peace, Peace Is Every Step, and The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, said: "I met Thich Nhat Hanh in June 1982 at the large antinuclear peace march in New York. He walked slowly and fiercely at the same time. The following year he came to teach at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, and I was his attendant, the beginning a long and fruitful relationship. I remember well our years working together on books and retreats, practicing mindfulness, and touching one another's hearts. Thich Nhat Hanh was an important teacher and man in my life, and I am moved to witness the worldwide impact of his passing."