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Transformation at the Base

Thich Nhat Hanh · April 7, 2002 · Plum Village, France

Transcript English

This talk explores the profound interconnection between the manifested and the non-manifested, revealing the illusory nature of birth and death through the analogy of the flame and its incessant movements that know neither beginning nor end. It highlights how our understanding of manifestation, influenced by Lavoisier’s teachings on conservation, intertwines with the Buddhist concepts of impermanence, non-self, and nirvana. By contemplating the impermanent essence of our existence, similar to that of the flame, we are invited to meditate on our own transient nature, our interdependence with all forms of life, and the vital role of our actions, or karma, in transmitting energies that shape the world around us.

The art of transmitting the teachings with wisdom and compassion is emphasized, reminding us of our responsibility in perpetuating a positive legacy. This talk reaffirms the value of recognizing the Three Dharma Seals to achieve a profound understanding of reality, guiding us towards the liberation from attachments and the realization of nirvana. It concludes with a call to find authentic happiness by letting go of our preconceived ideas and fully appreciating each moment, free from notions that obscure our perception of the ultimate truth.

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Previous Talk April 6, 2002

Buddhist Psychology: Questions and Answers

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Transformation at the Base (1)

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Transcript English

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The existence of the non-manifested flame

00:00:56

Good morning, dear friends. Today is the seventh of April in the year 2002, and we are in Plum Village. It is the last day of our Francophone retreat.

00:03:15

I would like to invite you to look at this matchbox to see that the flame is already there. It has not manifested yet, but it is still there; it is waiting for you. Do you think the flame is inside the box or outside the box?

00:03:53

Suppose there is no oxygen in the air. Can the flame manifest? No. So the oxygen is not exactly inside the box; there is a little bit inside, but the oxygen is outside. So we cannot say that the flame is inside or outside, can we? Are you inside of yourself, or are you also outside of yourself? This is a very serious invitation, very pleasant, for us to embark on a journey of discovery. Are you inside your body, or are you also outside your body? Is the sun also

00:05:27

00:05:36

Lavoisier and the Nature of Manifestation

00:06:32

00:07:57

00:09:35

The nature of no birth and no death

00:10:42

00:11:30

00:13:11

00:14:40

Origin and Continuation of the Flame

00:15:54

00:17:58

00:19:49

00:20:47

Identity and Perpetual Transformation

00:21:24

00:23:28

00:24:02

Meditation on the emanations of the candle and the human being

00:27:12

00:28:12

Sangha Member

00:28:39

Thich Nhat Hanh

00:30:21

Thich Nhat Hanh

00:31:23

Thich Nhat Hanh

00:31:41

Thich Nhat Hanh

00:32:20

Thich Nhat Hanh

Karma and manifestation in all forms of life

00:33:01

00:34:21

00:36:25

00:38:15

00:39:41

The Art of Transmitting the Teachings

00:40:48

00:43:10

Continuity, Transmission, and Interbeing

00:44:43

00:46:40

00:48:55

Responsibility and the Art of Transmission

00:50:22

00:51:51

00:53:47

00:54:54

00:55:55

The Three Dharma Seals

00:56:25

00:58:06

00:58:58

01:00:27

The practice of impermanence in our relationships

01:01:18

01:02:25

01:03:37

01:04:41

01:05:23

The Insight of Impermanence and Nonself: The Path to Freedom

01:06:43

01:08:02

01:09:11

01:09:52

01:11:17

Nirvana and the Absence of Notions

01:12:52

01:13:55

Finding True Happiness through the Extinction of Notions

01:15:06

01:17:28

01:18:51

01:19:42

01:20:51

01:21:04

01:21:43