We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Seeds of Mindfulness: Nurturing Compassion and Renewal in Engaged Buddhism
Dear Sangha, today marks the first of our three English Dharma Talks in the Spring Retreat of 1998 at Upper Hamlet. Plum Village boasts abundant lotus flowers each summer, originating from seeds from Vietnam, flourishing contrary to misconceptions. Reflecting on their birthlessness and deathlessness, we meditate deeply on their nature. Shen Miller in China sprouted a 1,288-year-old lotus seed by thinning its tough skin, mirroring our need to break barriers for nourishment and transformation. We carry seeds from ancestors like enlightenment, compassion, and love, needing nurturing alongside seeds of suffering and anger. Engaged Buddhism, a significant seed sprouted during the Vietnam War, integrates Buddhism into daily life, relieving suffering even outside monasteries. Despite devastation, Buddhist social workers persist in rebuilding war-torn villages, embodying compassion and renewal. Mindfulness connects us to holiness, fostering compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. Mindfulness, concentration, and insight nurture holiness within us, promoting liberation and compassion. Observing lotus plants reveals interconnectedness, illustrating renewal and continuous existence. Mindfulness connects us to ancestors and descendants, fostering unity and dissolving despair. Mindfulness grants freedom from afflictions like loneliness and anger, transforming mundane tasks into moments of peace. Serving the Sangha nurtures unity and happiness, inspiring others to cultivate compassion and joy in their lives.