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Thích Nhất Hạnh

71 quotes

“Birds' songs express joy, beauty, and purity, and evoke in us vitality and love. So many beings in the universe love us unconditionally. The trees, the water, and the air don't ask anything of us; they just love us. Even though we need this kind of love, we continue to destroy them. By destroying the animals, the air, and the trees, we are destroying ourselves.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Love in Action: Writings on Nonviolent Social Change (1993), p. 131
“If you see someone who is trying to shoot, to destroy, you have to do your best in order to prevent him or her to do so. You must. But you must do it out of your compassion, of your willingness to protect, and not out of anger. That is the key. If you need to use force, you have to use it, but you have to make sure that you act out of compassion and a willingness to protect, not out of anger.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: PBS interview (2003)
“When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other, your mind will enjoy true peace, joy and lightness”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing
“When you feel anger arising, remember to return to your breathing and follow it. The other person may see that you are practicing, and she may even apologize.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing
“Your first love has no beginning or end. Your first love is not your first love, and it is not your last. It is just love. It is one with everything.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cultivating the Mind of Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing
“The quality of our life depends on the quality of the seeds that lie deep in our consciousness.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Understanding Our Mind (2006) Parallax Press
“The present moment contains past and future. The secret of transformation, is in the way we handle this very moment.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Understanding Our Mind (2006) Parallax Press
“Seeds can produce seeds Seeds can produce formations. Formations can produce seeds. Formations can produce formations.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Understanding Our Mind (2006) Parallax Press
“Undoubtedly, even for enlightened men, however determined they may be, it is very difficult to go against the system. The question posed today is what must we do to prevent ourselves from being taken over by the system? Engaging in political or economic conflict does not seem to be the answer.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Zen Keys (1994), p. 150
“One included all, and all were contained in one.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991) Parallax Press
“The leaf and his body were one. Neither possessed a separate permanent self. Neither could exist independently from the rest of the universe.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991)
“Contemplating the bowl, it is possible to see the interdependent elements which give rise to the bowl.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991) Parallax Press
“Freedom from suffering is a great happiness.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991) Parallax Press
“The Buddha also counseled the monks and nuns to avoid wasting any precious time by engaging in idle conversation, oversleeping, pursuing fame and recognition, chasing after desires, spending time with people of poor character, and being satisfied with only a shallow understanding of the teaching.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991) Parallax Press
“The same clouds that Buddha had seen were in the sky. Each serene step brought to life the old path and white clouds of the Buddha. The path of Buddha was beneath his very feet.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991) Parallax Press
“Venerable Svasti and the young buffalo boys were rivers that flowed from that source. Wherever the rivers flowed, the Buddha would be there.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Path White Clouds : Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (1991) Parallax Press
“If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Peace Is Every Step : The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life (1992) Bantam reissue
“The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Touching Peace (1992), p. 1. Parallax Press
“In order to rally people, governments need enemies. They want us to be afraid, to hate, so we will rally behind them. And if they do not have a real enemy, they will invent one in order to mobilize us.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1996 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in Engaged Buddhist Reader: Ten Years of Engaged Buddhist Publishing (1996) by Arnold Kotler, p. 106
“To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is. A pessimistic attitude can never create the calm and serene smile which blossoms on the lips of Bodhisattvas and all those who obtain the way.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Miracle of Mindfulness (1999)
“Reality is reality. It transcends every concept. There is no concept which can adequately describe it, not even the concept of interdependence.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Miracle of Mindfulness (1999)
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves—slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Miracle of Mindfulness (1999)
“It's wonderful to be alive and to walk on earth.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Talk at Stonehill College (2002)
“You are a miracle, and everything you touch could be a miracle.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Episode of the National Public Radio program Speaking of Faith : "Brother Thay: A Radio Pilgrimage with Thich Nhat Hanh" (2003)
“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in A Lifetime of Peace : Essential Writings by and About Thich Nhat Hanh (2003) edited by Jennifer Schwamm Willis, p. 141
“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Visions from Earth (2004) by James Miller
“Your true home is in the here and the now. It is not limited by time, space, nationality, or race. Your true home is not an abstract idea. It is something you can touch and live in every moment. With mindfulness and concentration, the energies of the Buddha, you can find your true home in the full relaxation of your mind and body in the present moment. No one can take it away from you. Other people can occupy your country, they can even put you in prison, but they cannot take away your true home and your freedom.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Returning Home", Shambhala Sun (March 2006)
“Mr. President, I think that if you could allow yourself to cry like I did this morning, you will also feel much better. It is our brothers that we kill over there. They are our brothers, God tells us so, and we also know it. They may not see us as brothers because of their anger, their misunderstanding, and their discrimination. But with some awakening, we can see things in a different way, and this will allow us to respond differently to the situation. I trust God in you; I trust Buddha nature in you.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to President G.W. Bush, (8 August 2006) Retrieved from: http://plumvillage.org/letters-from-thay/letter-to-president-g-w-bush-august-8-2006/
“We are committed to respecting the right of others to be different, to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, learn to help others let go of and transform fanaticism and narrowness through loving speech and compassionate dialogue” p. 104”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Chanting from the heart: Buddhist ceremonies and daily practices (2007)”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Going vegetarian may be the most effective way to fight global warming. Buddhist practitioners have practiced vegetarianism over the last 2000 years. We are vegetarian with the intention to nourish our compassion towards the animals. Now we also know that we eat vegetarian in order to protect the earth...”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter from Thay", Blue Cliff Monastery (12 October 2007)
“Love is the capacity to take care, to protect, to nourish. If you are not capable of generating that kind of energy toward yourself — if you are not capable of taking care of yourself, of nourishing yourself, of protecting yourself — it is very difficult to take care of another person.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted on his official website (30 December 2008)
“Life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with many wonders, such as the blue sky, the sunshine, and the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, anytime.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we can't share peace and happiness with others, even those we love, those who live under the same roof. If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are so busy we hardly have time to look at the people we love, even in our own household, and to look at ourselves. Society is organized in a way that even when we have some leisure time, we don't know how to use it to get back in touch with ourselves. We have millions of ways to lose this precious time-we turn on the TV, or pick up the telephone, or start the car and go somewhere. We are not used to being with ourselves, and we act as if we don't like ourselves and are trying to escape from ourselves.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Meditation is to be aware of what is going on-in our bodies, in our feelings, in our minds, and in the world. Each day 40,000 children die of hunger. The superpowers now have more than 50,000 nuclear warheads, enough to destroy our planet many times. Yet the sunrise is beautiful, and the rose that bloomed this morning along the wall is a miracle. Life is both dreadful and wonderful. To practice meditation is to be in touch with both aspects. Please do not think we must be solemn in order to meditate. In fact, to meditate well, we have to smile a lot.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If a child smiles, if an adult smiles, that is very important. If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax, to be peaceful, we may wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth. This is not a retreat, it is a treat.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“During walking meditation, during kitchen and garden work, during sitting meditation, all day long, we can practice smiling. At first you may find it difficult to smile, and we have to think about why. Smiling means that we are ourselves, that we have sovereignty over ourselves, that we are not drowned in forgetfulness. This kind of smile can be seen on the faces of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would like to offer one short poem you can recite from time to time, while breathing and smiling:”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Breathing in, I calm my body." Reciting this line is like drinking a glass of ice water-you feel the cold, the freshness, permeate your body. When I breathe in and recite this line, I actually feel the breathing calming my body, calming my mind. "Breathing out, I smile." You know the effect of a smile. A smile can relax hundreds of muscles in your face, and relax your nervous system. A smile makes you master of yourself. That is why the Buddhas and bodhisattvas are always smiling. When you smile, you realize the wonder of the smile.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you are a mountain climber or someone who enjoys the countryside, or the green forest, you know that the forests are our lungs outside of our bodies. Yet we have been acting in a way that has allowed two million square miles of forest land to be destroyed by acid rain. We are imprisoned in our small selves, thinking only of the comfortable conditions for this small self, while we destroy our large self.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One day I suddenly saw that the sun is my heart, my heart outside of this body. If my body's heart ceases to function I cannot survive; but if the sun, my other heart, ceases to function, I will also die immediately. We should be able to be our true self. That means we should be able to be the river, we should be able to be the forest, we should be able to be a citizen of any country in the world. We must do this to understand, and to have hope for the future. That is the nondualistic way of seeing.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is a lot of anger, frustration, and misunderstanding in the peace movement. The peace movement can write very good protest letters, but they are not yet able to write a love letter. We need to learn to write a letter to the Congress or to the president of the United States that they will want to read, and not just throw away. The way you speak, the kind of understanding, the kind of language you use should not turn people off. The president is a person like any of us.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you want to have a statue or a painting of a Buddha, please be choosy. Many times I see Buddhas who are not relaxed and peaceful. The artists who make them do not practice breathing, smiling. Be choosy if you ask a Buddha to come home. A Buddha should be smiling, happy, beautiful, for the sake of our children. If they look at the Buddha and don't feel refreshed and happy, then it is not a good statue. If you don't find a beautiful Buddha, wait, and have a flower instead. A flower is a Buddha. A flower has Buddha nature.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know of families where children go into a room like that after breakfast, sit down and breathe ten times, in-out-one, in-out-two, in-out-three, ten times, and then they go to school. This is a very beautiful practice. If your child doesn't wish to breathe ten times, how about three times? Beginning the day with being a Buddha is a very nice way to start the day.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If we are a Buddha in the morning and we try to nourish the Buddha throughout the day, we may be able to come home at the end of a day with a smile - the Buddha is still there. When you become agitated, you do not have to do or say anything. Just follow your breathing and walk slowly into that room. The "room" for breathing also symbolizes our own inner Buddha Land, so we can enter it whenever we need to, even if we are not at home.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Doing things in this way has a good effect on everyone, teaching by example, not just with words. When your child is agitated, you don't have to say, "Go to that room!" You can take his or her hand and walk together into the room for breathing, and sit quietly together. This is the best education for peace. It is really beautiful to begin the day by being a Buddha. Each time we feel ourselves about to leave our Buddha, we can sit and breathe until we return to our true self.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There are three things I can recommend to you: arranging to have a breathing room in your home, a room for meditation; practicing breathing, sitting, for a few minutes every morning at home with your children; and going out for a slow walking meditation with your children before going to sleep, just ten minutes is enough. These things are very important. They can change our civilization.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We should bow deeply before the orchid and the snail and join our palms reverently before the monarch butterfly and the magnolia tree. The feeling of respect for all species will help us recognize the noblest nature in ourselves.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source