Watch this talk

Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The title, description and transcript may contain inaccuracies.

Questions and Answers

Thich Nhat Hanh · August 29, 2013 · Blue Cliff Monastery, United States
Feedback

Question and answers session offered by Thay for the Art of Suffering Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery, Pine Bush, NY (2013.08.29).

Full question asked by a child: Why do people get so angry and why do their hearts fill up with anger when it’s not what they mean to do?

117-minute dharma talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh from Blue Cliff Monastery in Pine Bush, New York during the 2013 Nourishing Great Togetherness teaching tour. This is a session of questions and answers during the 6-day retreat with the theme Transformation and Healing – The Art of Suffering.

Children asked questions such as:

  • Why do people get so angry sometimes and their hearts filled with anger?
  • Why do people have to suffer?
  • What do you have to do to have a calm mind?

Teens asked questions including:

  • If you could live your life again, would you choose the same path?
  • My sister (a monastic aspirant) has been staying with the monastics and it’s been hard for me. How do I practice non-attachment?
  • What made you decide to become a monk?
  • What is the hardest thing that you practice?
  • How have you detached from your strongest attachments in life?
  • Can we be fast and mindful, especially with sports?

Adults asked questions such as:

  • A father who has suffered greatly from violence - his son died at Sandy Hook Elementary. What could have happened differently? What could we have done differently?
  • Another parent shares about the teen child who died from leukemia. Her question is whether or not she can ever truly be happy again.
  • If you were Obama’s spiritual advisor, what would you tell him? Referring to Syria.
  • UN disarmament negotiator. How can we approach young men who are recruited by groups like Al Qaeda that can offer so much?
  • How to practice joyfully with physical limitations?
  • How do I forgive myself because of trusting someone who sexually abused him as a child?
  • A question on depression and anxiety.

Excerpt questions include:

  • My daughter died of leukemia. I feel deep sorrow and long to be with her. Is it possible to ever be truly happy again?
  • How to deal with depression when it does not just come from the environment but is biologically passed on?

Note: this description was automatically sourced from existing YouTube descriptions and other sources. Please ‘Suggest Edit’ if it’s incorrect.

Published elsewhere
YouTube: Plum Village
read more

Part of the following collections