Language

Watch this talk

Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The title, description and transcript may contain inaccuracies.

Daily Practice

Thich Nhat Hanh · April 30, 2002 · Plum Village, France
Feedback

I take refuge in the great teacher, the World-Honored One – the embodiment of absolute Suchness, possessing perfect wisdom, acting with compassion, guiding all beings to the shore of freedom. I take refuge in the wondrous Dharma, which can be realized here and now, with the immediate and marvelous capacity to invite direct experience of truth, goodness, and beauty, extinguishing the flames of afflictions. I take refuge in the practicing community – the Sangha of four pairs and eight noble beings, and I take refuge in the mindfulness trainings as a wholesome way of living, a wondrous and uninterrupted practice, giving rise to concentration, insight, mindfulness, and fearlessness.

The journey of practice requires daily diligence in all activities: sitting, walking, breathing, eating, cooking, sweeping the house… with each mindful breath and each stable step, we generate the energy of mindfulness. When sadness or anger arises, we use mindful breathing to recognize and embrace them, as one would hold a baby, nourishing wholesome seeds and transforming suffering. Mindfulness leads to concentration, concentration leads to insight, opening the path of liberation and happiness, helping us to clearly see the roots of suffering, and to rebuild bridges of communication in our family and our Sangha.

The fourfold objects of refuge:

  • Teacher – the World-Honored One, treasury of wisdom and compassion
  • Dharma – the wondrous teaching, realized in the present moment
  • Sangha – the community of four pairs and eight noble beings, an unsurpassed field of merit
  • Precepts – the mindfulness trainings, protecting body and mind, giving rise to concentration, mindfulness, insight, and fearlessness
read more
Previous Talk April 29, 2002
23m

Watering the Seeds of Goodness

Next Talk May 1, 2002
1h 51m

Practicing the Words of Apology - Prajñā Wisdom