We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
40 Years - A Reunion Meal
The Buddha invites us to eat our meal in mindfulness, to be fully present in each moment, practicing the Five Contemplations with a concentrated mind. Food is a gift from the earth and sky, from countless living beings and much hard work, and should be received with gratitude, recognizing and transforming our greed, using food only to nourish body and mind, preventing illness, nurturing the Sangha, and sustaining our aspiration to serve all beings.
At the age of forty, Thay left Vietnam for three months to call for peace, but could not return, and remained in the West writing books, translating sutras, and teaching people of many different faiths. Thay:
- used the pen name Nguyen Lang for many works such as “A History of Vietnamese Buddhism” and “Van Lang’s Strange Stories”
- contributed to training young monastics, establishing the Institute of Buddhist Studies at Phap Hoi Temple and Van Hanh University
- discovered that Tue Trung Thuong Si was the elder brother of Tran Hung Dao
- wrote “Living Buddha, Living Christ” and “The Buddha and Jesus are Brothers,” helping to foster dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity
Thay emphasized the Four Means of Embracing to relieve suffering and build happiness in families and society:
- loving speech
- generosity
- beneficial action
-
cooperation
Through retreats in Europe and America, many pastors and families have been reconciled thanks to the practice of deep listening with a heart of compassion and loving speech. As a result, the seeds of love and understanding have been watered, hatred has been transformed, and true relationships have been restored.