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
Dharma Discussion with Thay
When inviting the bell, one needs to breathe so that body and mind are at ease, sit beautifully, and silently recite the gatha: “Body, speech, and mind in perfect oneness, I send my heart along with the sound of the bell. May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness and transcend the path of anxiety and sorrow.” One must wake up the bell so the Sangha is not startled, and invite the bell in a U-shape so the sound can soar. The listener breathes three times following the gatha: “Listen, listen. This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home.” Regarding abortion, the most important thing is prevention; if it has already happened, we must examine each case individually to avoid causing further suffering, even though the universal principle is to avoid killing.
In a relationship, a wife who is more capable needs to skillfully appreciate her husband’s virtues to avoid creating a complex. Children who suffer because of their parents need to find a second family or a Sangha to be nourished and to transform internal formations before returning to help their parents cut off the cycle of samsara and suffering. Regarding cultural exchange, young people need to combine the best of both East and West, avoiding the breakdowns of Western society. Lasting love needs a support network from family, friends, and society, rather than relying solely on emotion.
Liberation is the untying of the bonds that are tightening around body and mind, including:
- The bond of birth and death.
- The bond of misunderstanding between parents and children.
- The bond of anger, jealousy, and craving.
- The bond of the past and worry about the future.