“Twenty years ago at a conference I attended of theologians and professors of religion, an Indian Christian friend told the assembly, “We are going to hear about the beauties of several traditions, but that does not mean that we are going to make a fruit salad.” When it came my turn to speak, I said, “Fruit salad can be delicious!… — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share
“Many years ago, I recognized that by understanding your own tradition better, you also develop increased respect, consideration, and understanding for others.… — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share Image
“Fifteen years ago, a business manager from the United States came to Plum Village to visit me. His conscience was troubled because… — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share Image
“experience of reality and not on notions offered by others, no one can remove these beliefs from us. Making a long-term commitment… — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share Image
“For example, the sound of the telephone can make us irritated and anxious. That is the sound of the telephone which comes as a result of past actions and afflictions. If, however, we practice and acknowledge the sound of the telephone as a bell of mindfulness, then when the telephone rings we shall know how to bring our mind back… — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share
“Bhikkhus, the teaching is merely a vehicle to describe the truth. Don’t mistake it for the truth itself. A finger pointing at the moon is not the moon. The finger is needed to know where to look for the moon, but if you mistake the finger for the moon itself, you will never know the real moon. The teaching is… — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share
“If we practice walking meditation, we walk just for walking, not to arrive.” — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share Image
“Control the senses, practice equanimity. Live by disciplinary rules. Associate with good friends who are not lazy and live purely. Be courteous and well-mannered,… — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share Image
“If you are lost in a forest at night, you can follow the North Star to find your way out. You follow the North… — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share Image
“If you are a poet, you will clearly see a cloud floating on this sheet of paper. Thich Nhat Hanh” — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share Image
“Happiness can be attained by letting go, including letting go of your ideas about happiness.” — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share Image
“We have many kinds of energies in us, including the energies of anger, violence, and craving. But compassion is also a very strong energy.” — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share Image
“Knowing how to handle suffering, you know at the same time how to produce happiness. And if you’re truly happy, we all profit from… — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share Image
“You have to realize that happiness is not something you find at the end of the road. You have to understand that it is… — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share Image
“Suppose you are in the desert, and you only have one glass of muddy water. You have to transform the muddy water into clear water to drink, you cannot just throw it away. So you let it settle for a while, and clear water will appear. In the same way, we have to convert anger into some kind of energy… — Thich Nhat Hanh Copy Share
“When you speak, allow the insight of our collective humanity to speak through you. When you walk, don't walk for yourself alone; walk for… — Thích Nhất Hạnh Copy Share Image
