In March and April of 2021, there were two exhibitions of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books and calligraphies in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi Vietnam.
It is the first time Plum Village has had these formal exhibitions in public in Vietnam. There are more than 145 books and 100 calligraphies on display.
Before entering the exhibition space, Brother Phap Niem invited people to let Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) borrow their feet to take peaceful steps while enjoying the book works as well as the calligraphy works. At past exhibitions, Thay also often asked people to practice silence and keep mindfulness during the tour:
“We need to maintain the breath of mindfulness and bring the mind back to the body. When we are truly present, we can let the energy of the calligraphy enter into our hearts. In the depths of our consciousness is the seed of understanding, compassion, seeds of joy, seeds of insight, of enlightenment. If we let the energy of the calligraphy enter and contact with the seed of wisdom within us, we will have the enlightenment we desire. So when we slowly walk through the calligraphy and let the energy of the calligraphy enter us and touch us, watering the beautiful and wholesome seeds in us, we will be transformed and healed during the time to see the calligraphy. Half an hour in the gallery is half an hour of meditation. If we can do that, when we step out of the gallery, we can become a new person completely”. Thich Nhat Hanh
We would like to invite you to practice the art of enjoying calligraphy with us while you are watching a video of this exhibition.
Read more about Thich Nhat Hanh’s Zen calligraphies
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