Though many of us accompanied Thay and the monastic Sangha to Vietnam, it was not possible to understand all that was happening, right before our eyes. In this section, we get to hear Thay’s own words, fresh from returning, on what were the most notable events during the trip, and…
Search results for “is nothing something”
1457 Results
Waste Not: On Filling the Compost Bin
By Edissa Nicolás-Huntsman For most of us, buying groceries can be a very stimulating experience. Going to the store to pick up bread can lead to a purchase beyond our means, in more ways than one. Once inside, there are colorful foods and bright packages to contend with. Displays entice…
Happy Birthday, Charlotte! Author’s Note
As we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of beloved children's book Charlotte and the Quiet Place, author Deborah Sosin has reflections to share with readers.
A Ten Minute Lesson on Self-forgiveness in San Quentin
Seido Lee deBarros, Sister Jewel, and Jun Hamamoto at San Quentin; photo courtesy of monastic Sangha Now I see why Jesus told the disciples to visit the prisoner. The prisoner lives at the physical locations of human retaliation, at the place where life keeps dissolving into death-making. If we lose…
Visit to Vietnam
By Linda Spangler I had wanted to go to Vietnam for a long time. I grew up with the Vietnam War on TV and watched the fighting and the nightly list of American dead. Escaping the draft was a frequent topic of conversation in my high school. I could not understand how anyone could…
Surrender and a Lotus
By Ian Prattis After Thay's "Heart of the Buddha" retreat in the fall of 1996 at Plum Village, I went to India to teach and train in Siddha Samadhi Yoga, a system of meditation for adults and children. Committed to global religious harmony, program participants work to heal and transform deeply rooted schisms in Indian society—through…
The Seedling Project
By Members of the European Wake Up Sangha photo courtesy of Felipe Viveros Thay believed that Buddhism had much to contribute to real social change. He said he would find ways to support me in a movement for social change according to the Buddhist spirit. He would help bring together…
In the Shape of Your Palm
By Duncan Liddle The Fifth Remembrance: My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand. In my bathroom, there is a rubber plant. It's a very beautiful plant, and it means a lot to me because I grew it…
Murder as a Call to Love
By Judith Toy When I smoked cigarettes it was two packs, sometimes three, a day. My record for lit cigarettes simultaneously burning either in ashtrays or in my hand was four. Sometimes I chewed gum, too. Half cups of cold coffee were strewn about my office. I was skinny and…
Healing from Abuse
Footsteps of Freedom, Love and Peace by Brian Kimmel On the day of his sentencing, my former stepfather said to me in front of the judge, my family and his, “I never did anything to hurt you, and I’m sorry you felt I did. I loved you like a son.”…







