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Autumn Retreat - The Recorded Sayings of Linji

Thich Nhat Hanh · December 7, 2003 · Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France

Details of this Dharma Talk include Thich Nhat Hanh’s sharing during the retreat on December 7, 2003, at Lower Hamlet, focusing on the theme of practice and attainment. He spoke about Brother Phap Huu’s birthday and emphasized that age does not determine the ability to ordain, but rather a pure heart and willingness to receive the Dharma are what matter. He opposed the view that young people are not capable of practicing and highlighted the novice monk system, currently having six novices at Plum Village. In the upcoming winter retreat, he mentioned that the purpose of practice is to attain wisdom, helping to transform suffering and achieve freedom, clearly distinguishing between knowledge and wisdom. He warned that studying scriptures and Buddhist knowledge is not enough to liberate from afflictions without direct experience. He used the story of the pine tree in front of Zen Master Zhao Zhou’s temple to illustrate that wisdom lies in daily life, not in ancient texts. He emphasized that seeking outside oneself without realizing the path within is a misunderstanding, and that true Dharma is formless, true teachings are beyond concepts, and the path and the Buddha cannot be separated.

Previous Talk December 4, 2003

1h 19m