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Everyone Is a Dharma Prince

Thich Nhat Hanh · March 28, 2002 · Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, France · Audio Only
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The king’s child becomes a king, the temple novice sweeps the bodhi leaves—this folk saying evokes the idea of two classes: power and wealth, and humble simplicity. In reality, history has seen kings who became monks and swept the bodhi leaves (such as King Tran Nhan Tong on Yen Tu Mountain), and monks who ascended the throne (such as Ly Cong Uan, the adopted son of Zen Master Van Hanh). The Buddha Shakyamuni himself was born as Prince Siddhartha, then renounced the throne to live the monastic life, calling himself the Dharma King, with Bodhisattva Manjushri as the Dharma Prince—the child of the Dharma King.

Everyone, whether monastic or lay, carries the bloodline of the Dharma King, as children of the World-Honored One, continuing the tradition of “sweeping the bodhi leaves”—that is, clearing away afflictions for oneself and the world. The mindful life in the Sangha brings:

  1. Material simplicity but spiritual richness
  2. Humility but steadfastness
  3. Freedom and ease to offer peace to all
    Each step, each breath, and each smile of the child of the Dharma King is a precious gift that helps transform and heal all suffering.
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