Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THICH NHAT HANH AND Being Peace
Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
A glass of water in the desert for those interested in both Buddhism and the world.
San Francisco Chronicle
For spiritual seekers and social activists, this is it, the bible of Engaged Buddhism.
Inquiring Mind
Being Peace is one of the most important books ever written.
Pilgrims Way Catalog
To read this book is to come into living contact with a remarkable teacher of peacemaking spirituality....Thich Nhat Hanhs style breathes confidence in the ability of his readers to experience peace, not just long for it.
Pax Christi USA
I have learned from [Thich Nhat Hanh] that being peace is more than a good idea. It is a moving and profound challenge to bring gentleness into every corner of your life.
Vajradhatu Sun
It is as though Thich Nhat Hanh has pared down the voluminous teachings of Buddhism to their innermost core....This book reflects the heart of a remarkable human being, one who has emerged from Vietnams nightmare with his soul not only intact but radiant.
Resurgence
Being Peace is a jewel of love and wisdom, a mirror reflecting our own happy Buddhahood...a recognition that will inspire everyone, regardless of previous religious persuasion, with the unexpected joy of smiling.
East West Journal
An exquisite meditation on being peace in order to make peace. A book for everyone concerned about the state of the world and the quality of our lives.
In Context
Introduction
JACK KORNFIELD
IN THIS WONDERFUL BOOK, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us the reality of interdependence: Even if I just clap my hands, the effect is everywhere, in the faraway galaxies.
In 2007, we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Being Peace. The publication of this seminal book and the Dharma teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh have had an extraordinary effect on Dharma practice in the Western world, especially visible here in America. At once simple and yet profound, poetic and clear, compassionate and inspiring, the writings and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh have transformed Buddhist teachings from a distant ideal into the immediacy of the awakened heart.
The Buddhist ancient stories tell how just the simple presence of a master is enough to touch the seeds of awakening in all those around. Just as the fragrances of jasmine and rosebay and sandalwood bring beauty, the fragrance of one who walks and speaks in harmony with the Dharma brings blessings wherever they go.
Ive seen Thich Nhat Hanh walk slowly and mindfully into a gathering of thousands of people and the simple power of his presence radiates a joy and peace that spreads to all those present. In the same way, the gracious and heartfelt writing you hold in your hands calms the mind and opens the heart of wisdom.
Through his being and his words, Thich Nhat Hanh invites us into the reality of the present. Because he is a poet, his language has beauty, intimacy, and rich texture that illuminate the mind. Because he is courageous, he willingly pierces our great heart of compassion, so that we can bow to burning huts and sea pirates, to the sorrows of the world and those who cause sorrows. Because he is wise, his simple words speak to the most obvious Dharma and to the truly profound levels of Buddhas awakening, all at one time. In doing so, he simultaneously unites the great Buddhist schools of Theravada and Mahayana, following the rich legacy of Vietnamese Dharma.
Thich Nhat Hanh has helped us to to see the depths of dependent origination in a flower. In the midst of it all he has taught us to breathe, to smile, to live with a free heart. And most importantly, in our troubled world he makes no false division between inner awakening and engaged compassion. To his eye, like his spiritual ancestor Mahatma Gandhi, every being matters, everything is sacred.
For well over half a century this revolutionary monk has spread the teachings of Being Peace. This book is a treasure. If you look deeply, you will see in it the seeds of all Thich Nhat Hanhs most important teachings, and the seeds of your own awakening as well.
May it bless all who touch its beautiful words.
With Metta,
Jack Kornfield
Spirit Rock Meditation Center, 2005
If we are peaceful, if we are happy,
we can blossom like a flower,
and everyone in our family,
our entire society,
will benefit from our peace.
SUFFERING IS NOT ENOUGH
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.
If we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we cant 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. Do we need to make a special effort to enjoy the beauty of the blue sky? Do we have to practice to be able to enjoy it? No, we just enjoy it. Each second, each minute of our lives can be like this. Wherever we are, anytime, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other, even the sensation of our breathing. We dont need to go to China to enjoy the blue sky. We dont have to travel into the future to enjoy our breathing. We can be in touch with these things right now. It would be a pity if we were only aware of suffering.
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 dont know how to use it to get back in touch with ourselves. We have millions of ways to lose this precious timewe 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 dont like ourselves and are trying to escape from ourselves.
Meditation is to be aware of what is going onin 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.