To see a fully awakened person, a Buddha, is so rare that it is like seeing an udumbara flower. In the Tu Hieu Monastery in Hue, there is a scroll which says: “The udumbara flower, although fallen from the stem, is still fragrant.” Just as the fragrance of the udumbara flower cannot be destroyed, our […]
Once we recognize that all things are impermanent, we have no problem enjoying them. In fact, real peace and joy are only possible when we see clearly into the nature of impermanence. Thich Nhat Hanh
Nothing is more precious than being in the present moment, fully alive and fully aware. Thich Nhat Hanh
May the sound of this bell penetrate deeply into the cosmos. In even the darkest spots, may living beings hear it clearly so their suffering will cease, understanding arise in their hearts, and they can transcend the path of anxiety and sorrow. Namo Shakyamunaye Buddha. Thich Nhat Hanh
If you look at anything carefully, deeply enough, you discover the mystery of interbeing, and once you have seen it you will no longer be subject to fear – fear of birth, or fear of death. Thich Nhat Hanh
I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me to live. Thich Nhat Hanh
Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment. Thich Nhat Hanh
Be yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search or struggle. Just Be. Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace can exist only in the present moment. It is ridiculous to say “wait until I finish this, then I will be free to live in peace.” What is “this”? A diploma, a job, a house, the payment of debt? If you think that way, peace will never come. There is always another “this” that […]
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the […]
You have always been here. Thich Nhat Hanh
Our own life has to be our message. Thich Nhat Hanh
You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free. Thich Nhat Hanh
We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize. Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment. […]
For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them. Thich Nhat Hanh
People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar. Thich Nhat Hanh
Compassion is a verb. Thich Nhat Hanh
The moment of awakening may be marked by an outbursts of laughter, but this is not the laughter of someone who has won the lottery or some kind of victory. It is the laughter of one who, after searching for something for a long time, suddenly finds it in the pocket of his coat. Thich […]
The majority of us only worship Siddhartha as a supreme sacred power with the ability to bless and to protect us from danger. Not many are able to walk the path he has walked, to handle suffering, generate happiness, reestablish communication and touch Nirvana in the present moment. Our Buddhism of today mostly is a […]
