Thich Nhat Hanh by Alyssa Ferreira

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Thich Nhat Hanh

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

THICH NHAT HANH

By Alyssa Ferreira

EARLY LIFE

Born in Central Vietnam in 1926 with the name Nguyen Xuan Bao
Entered Tu Hieu Temple at age 16 and took name Thich Nhat Hanh
Engaged in movement to renew Vietnamese Buddhism as a Bhikshu
TNH was among the first six Bhikshu to ride a bicycle
He was also one of the first Bhikshus to study a secular subject at the University of Saigon

Photo by onbangladesh

BHIKSHU PERIOD

The term "Bhikshu" refers to a fully ordained monk, it literally means "beggar"
36 vows of conduct are taken by Bhikshu monks
Applicants began in a state known as samanera, meaning they must shave their heads and live by the ten precepts
The process of becoming a fully ordaining Bhikshu is long and difficult involving the help of a Bhikshu preceptor with at least ten years of ordination

ENGAGED BUDDHISM MOVEMENT

As war fell on Vietnam, TNH felt a need to both help the wounded and maintain Buddhist life
He came up with a new system of Engaged Buddhism, essentially Buddhism should play a part in all life activities
Engaged Buddhist issues are issues of ethics in daily life including peace-making, climate change and human rights protection
Founded Order of Interbeing on these values

"The first meaning of Engaged Buddhism is the kind of Buddhism that is present in every moment of our daily life. While you brush your teeth, Buddhism should be there. While you drive your car, Buddhism should be there. While you are walking in the supermarket, Buddhism should be there--so that you know what to buy and what not to buy! Also, Engaged Buddhism is the kind of wisdom that responds to anything that happens in the here and the now--global warming, climate change, the destruction of the ecosystem, the lack of communication, war, conflict, suicide, divorce. As a mindfulness practitioner, we have to be aware of what is going on in our body, our feelings, our emotions, and our environment. That is Engaged Buddhism. Engaged Buddhism is the kind of Buddhism that responds to what is happening in the here and the now."-Thich Naht Hahn

Photo by Moyan_Brenn

ORDER OF INTERBEING

Founded Order of Interbeing
Today approximately 1000 people and 250 monks outside Vietnam and many in Vietnam
Members live by 14 precepts
Guidelines for mindfulness and serenity
Initially he initiated only six monks

EXAMPLE PRECEPTS

"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth."-Thich Nhat Hanh
"Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness."-Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo by echiner1

VIETNAM WAR IMPACT

Traveled to US to teach at Princeton and then became a researcher at Columbia
Found School of Youth and Social Services an organization based on nonviolence with more than 10,000 participants
Started the Van Hanh Buddhist University in Saigon and La Boi publishing House,
Many Buddhist monks self immolated in protest to the war
Published "Lotus in a Sea of Fire: A Buddhist Proposal for Peace" forward by Thomas Merton

“The Vietnamese monk, by burning himself, says with all his strength and determination that he can endure the greatest of suffering to protect his people. What he really aims at is the expression of his will and determination, not death. To express will by burning oneself, therefore, is not to commit an act of destruction but to perform an act of construction, that is to suffer and to die for the sake of one’s people.”-Thich Nhat Hanh

HONORS

Became a dharma teacher in the Lam Te Dhyana school
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. (but was not given the prize)
Encourage King to be against the war in Vietnam
1991 received the Courage of Conscience Award
Received various honorary doctorates

TRAVELS

Travels to this day around the world preaching nonviolence and Buddhism
Exiled from Vietnam for peace efforts began peace work in France, the Buddhist Peace Delegation
Went to America several times to meet with leaders about peace tactics
Met with the Pope, the Dalia Lama and Indian government leaders
Wasn't allowed to return to Vietnam until 2005

TNH wrote over 100 books and in conjunction with Arnie Kotler founded Parallax Press to release texts on mindfulness. His books include "Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life" and "You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment."

PRESENT LIFE

Founded European Institute of Allied Buddhism in Germany
Opened various nonprofits and continues to do peace work around the world
His calligraphers have been displayed around the world
Currently 90 years old

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PICTURE LINKS

PICTURE LINKS (CONT.)

Alyssa Ferreira