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The Middle Way Discourse 10

Thich Nhat Hanh · February 6, 2003 · New Hamlet, Plum Village, France
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All phenomena are neither born nor do they die, so how can there be annihilation called Nirvana? Nirvana is not destruction, but a state that transcends the notions of birth and death, no being, no non-being, no coming, no going. Through the Middle Way Treatise, Nagarjuna uses the magic of language and the images of the finger pointing to the moon, wave and water, and the kaleidoscope to break apart the two extremes of “being” and “non-being,” showing that Nirvana is

  • unborn and undying
  • no coming, no going
  • nothing to attain
    beyond all ideas of permanence and annihilation, gain and loss, coming and going, and can be realized right in the present moment (the present moment Nirvana).

In the ceremonial part:

  1. Twenty-one sugar palm trees are mentioned in the cradle ceremony; whoever is the owner, please come forward to receive them.
  2. There is a pause and sharing about the large sugar palm tree that has not yet been spoken about.
  3. The monastic family celebrates one year, respectfully offering to Thay and the community a bouquet of flowers and a song with lyrics revised by Sister Mac Nghiem.
  4. The song expresses joy and gratitude on the Teacher’s birthday, celebrating that Thay was born and has nurtured his disciples.
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Previous Talk February 2, 2003
1h 40m

Bôí Kieu

Next Talk February 9, 2003
1h 9m

The Treatise on Nirvana by Nagarjuna