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Peaceful New Year's Eve 2007

Thich Nhat Hanh · February 16, 2007 · Plum Village, France · Audio Only
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Countless cells are dissolving, following the great intention of the turning cycle
destroying to become, birth is death, the fruit of life rises from each human body
look, the ivory skin is cracking, completing a lifetime without hesitation
the heartwood of the tree—who knows how many seasons—has wept and rejoiced countless times
sap surges higher with longing, earth and sky yearning for the fragrance to spread
petals about to unfurl in exquisite beauty, the bud transforms in a moment of samadhi

  1. Cells dissolve so that new cells may arise—death is the foundation of life
  2. The cracking bark (ivory skin) is like the painful cry of birth
  3. Sap wells up in the tree, awaiting the moment the flower blooms
  4. The instant the flower opens is a moment of “samadhi,” interweaving suffering and joy

I open the page of my heart, forever intact, never stained by the marks of samsara
tonight I offer a pure poem, praying for love to blossom in this life

  • The “intact page of the heart” is equivalent to the “Bodhi mind,” a refuge so as not to be swept away by despair or hatred
  • The pure poem is a prayer for compassion—love—to be born amidst a thousand sufferings
  • Practice sitting in stillness, smiling, breathing deeply to offer freshness and solidity to mother, father, teacher, and sangha

The order has been given—Xuan Dieu’s epic (1945, age 28) proclaimed to the four elements:

  1. Earth obeys first, giving birth to countless sprouts
  2. Light performs miracles, hanging pearls and weaving threads everywhere
  3. Water gently supports all beings, murmuring in resonance
  4. Wind blows delicately, playfully bringing butterflies and flowers together

The first firecracker resounds, awakening a thousand hidden fairies, the sun tears through thin mist
Princess Xuan Nuong appears, dew hangs a million earrings, nine million young leaves
her festival lasts ninety days and ninety nights, joy shining through every dawn

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Previous Talk February 1, 2007
1h 6m

The Forty Propositions of Plum Village Teachings A

Next Talk February 22, 2007
1h 40m

The Secret of Living Happily