Thich Nhat Hanh

By Dr. Ruth Carr

Thich Nhat Hanh

Understanding the Life and Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh: The Zen Buddhist Monk Who Traveled the World in Exile While Spreading His Message of Love, Peace, and Understanding

By Dr. Ruth Carr

Thich Nhat Hanh was born in the city of Qu'ng Ngai, Vietnam in 1926 as Nguyen Xuan Bao. Not much is known about his early life or childhood. Known as a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh has practiced peace in a world of violence, divisiveness, stress, and hostility since the age of just sixteen years old. In fact, it was at this age that Thich Nhat Hanh joined a Zen monastery. He studied Buddhism extensively and passionately, and was ordained by 1949. Initially inspired—and equally troubled—by war-torn Vietnam in the 1960s, Thich Nhat Hanh realized that hatred was not the answer. Love, understanding, and harmony, however, stood as the only true solution. He devoted his time and energy to searching for a resolution for both North Vietnam and South Vietnam. Today, he lives in southwest France, in exile, where he has continued to practice mindfulness and peace. He also writes, teaches, and gardens loyally, as well as lends a hand to those in search of that same peace that changed his life. As a result, Thich Nhat Hanh has helped countless people, serving as an organizer of retreats aimed to aid all people in their journey for order and peace of mind. It is safe to say that Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most well-known and successful peace activists of our time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Summary Station
• Release date: Jul 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370541089

Book preview

Thich Nhat Hanh

Understanding the Life and Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh: The Zen Buddhist Monk Who Traveled the World in Exile While Spreading His Message of Love, Peace, and Understanding

By Dr. Ruth Carr

Copyright © 2015 by Dr. Ruth Carr

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2015

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction

Early Life Struggles

Travels and Success

Teachings and Accomplishments

What We Have Learned From Thich Nhat Hanh

Conclusion

Introduction

Thich Nhat Hanh was born in the city of Qu'ng Ngai, Vietnam in 1926 as Nguyen Xuan Bao. Not much is known about his early life or childhood. Known as a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh has practiced peace in a world of violence, divisiveness, stress, and hostility since the age of just sixteen years old. In fact, it was at this age that Thich Nhat Hanh joined a Zen monastery. He studied Buddhism extensively and passionately, and was ordained by 1949. Initially inspired—and equally troubled—by war-torn Vietnam in the 1960s, Thich Nhat Hanh realized that hatred was not the answer. Love, understanding, and harmony, however, stood as the only true solution. He devoted his time and energy to searching for a resolution for both North Vietnam and South Vietnam. Today, he lives in southwest France, in exile, where he has continued to practice mindfulness and peace. He also writes, teaches, and gardens loyally, as well as lends a hand to those in search of that same peace that changed his life. As a result, Thich Nhat Hanh has helped countless people, serving as an organizer of retreats aimed to aid all people in their journey for order and peace of mind. It is safe to say that Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most well-known and successful peace activists of our time.

Early Life Struggles

So, how did a loving and level-headed man like Thich Nhat Hanh end up in exile and with the unpopular label of expatriate? It all started