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Happiness from Mindfulness: A Spiritual Journey
Thay ordained as a monk at the age of 16, after the aspiration to practice had sprouted in him since he was 9, 10, or 11 years old, and after two years of persuading his parents. Although his initial practice consisted only of sitting meditation and chanting sutras in classical Chinese, his deep faith that Buddhism could transform individuals and society guided him through all temptations, the greatest of which was Marxism. In 1952, Thay became a Dharma teacher, wrote “Buddhist Logic” and many works on Consciousness-Only, and after the 1954 upheaval, migrated to the South, co-founded the An Quang Buddhist Institute, and wrote the series “Buddhism in a New Light” in the newspaper Dan Chu, presenting an engaged Buddhism connected with the philosophy of Personalism, democracy, freedom, and human rights.
Thay’s outstanding contributions include:
- composing and giving in-depth teachings on the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the T’ien-t’ai Zen tradition
- writing “Buddhist Logic” from 1950, which was taught at universities
- the series “Buddhism in a New Light” in 1954 in Dan Chu newspaper
- “A Rose for Your Pocket” (1962), a mindfulness exercise on filial piety towards one’s mother
- developing walking meditation, practicing happiness in the present moment with each step
“A Rose for Your Pocket” suggests a practice: gently entering your mother’s room, silently placing your hand on hers, smiling, and generating the thought “I love you, Mom” to recognize the happiness of the present moment. Walking meditation is extended to all relationships and settings—from familiar stairways to the city of Venice—helping to nourish peace, freedom, and to create the conditions of happiness for the path of service.