Thay speaks about the interconnectedness of ancestors within us, emphasizing mindfulness in honoring our lineage. Through meditation, we realize ancestors live on in us, and our happiness affects them positively. Transmission involves three elements: transmitter, recipient, and object, akin to receiving an ice cream. Our bodies, inherited from ancestors, are not solely ours but a legacy to cherish. Mindful consumption, as taught by the Buddha, involves edible food and sense impressions. Avoid harmful foods and toxic influences from media and interactions. Building a Sangha supports mindful living, practicing the five precepts regularly. Compassionate choices, like reducing meat and alcohol consumption, positively impact ourselves and the world. Practicing mindfulness protects ourselves and honors our ancestors and future generations.

This is the sixteenth of seventeen talks given during the Summer Opening retreats in the year 1994. Thay offered this talk at the Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France.