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The Purpose of a Monastic

Thich Nhat Hanh · February 20, 2002 · Plum Village, France
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The monastic path brings profound happiness thanks to the bodhi mind and inner freedom. Each success of a monastic is also the shared success of Thay and the parents, nourishing peace and joy. Receiving a letter from an international practitioner on February 5th sharing the joy of practicing from Plum Village books further affirms that this happiness surpasses all fame and gain. Practicing the Four Immeasurable Minds:

  • Loving-kindness: bringing happiness to others
  • Compassion: relieving suffering, showing the path of liberation
  • Joy: bringing true joy
  • Equanimity: no discrimination, no prejudice

Right in this present moment, each elder brother and elder sister continues and cares for the younger siblings with mindfulness and proper conduct to prevent entanglements; if there are signs of isolation, use the “bell of mindfulness” to encourage inclusiveness. The art of practice is to manage the mud of our inner life in order to nourish the lotus, relying on skillful means and deep looking, helping us to be like the lotus leaf, unstained by suffering even when mud and rain fall upon us.

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