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
The Silence of Life
In the 25th chapter of the Lotus Sutra, there is the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara – the one who listens to the sound of the world. Five kinds of sound are mentioned in this chapter: the sound of wonder, the one who observes the sound of the world, the brahma sound, the sound of the rising tide, and the one that transcends all worldly sounds. Thay teaches on these sounds, emphasizing their significance and the impermanence of sound.
The beauty of Mother Earth is a bell of mindfulness. It’s spring now, and we can easily see how beautiful the earth is. If we can see this, then happiness will be available right away. Is anything blocking you from seeing this? Is your mind full of things? Can you hear the call of Mother Earth? Are you being pulled away by the past or anxious, fearful about the future? Even in the present moment, we can be distracted. But if we look, we can see that life is full of wonders. We can pay attention to our breathing to help stop the thinking of the past, the future, and the projects of the present. I am here. I am free.
In Plum Village, we have the practice of noble silence. Thay shares about the recent French Retreat where the community sat together in silence for a meal and after the sound of the bell. What are the benefits of silence? What is the sound of silence?
In Buddhism, we speak of two kinds of phenomena: conditioned and unconditioned. Sound is considered impermanent. Its nature is to be created; to be made. And anything that is created is impermanent. Another early Mahayana Sutra (chapter 40) speaks about the voice of the Buddha. The word of the Buddha is something easy to understand. The sound of the Buddha is not too loud. Silent thunder. We can hear the voice of the Buddha anytime and anywhere.
When we have been able to establish silence, we can hear what is inside ourselves. What our heart is saying. We are often concerned with our daily concerns. We worry about material comforts and affective concerns. But there is also the ultimate concern. Do we have the time to answer the ultimate concern? Hear the deepest call of your life. And that we are a continuation of our ancestors. Meditation can help cultivate the silence.
Four kinds of nutriments and consumption. Consuming the sound. The sound of wonders. We don’t have to run anymore.
Note: this description was automatically sourced from existing YouTube descriptions and other sources. Please ‘Suggest Edit’ if it’s incorrect.