Thich Nhat Hanh

Question 1

Who first used the phrase “socially engaged Buddhism”?

Answer 1

Thich Nhat Hanh

Question 2

Early life of Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer 2

Buddhist monk at 16
Didn’t like narrow curriculum of Buddhism and went to study more at University of Saigon
Chose to engage with world AND practice in a monastic temple, applying Dharma into daily life

Question 3

What is the heart of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings?

Answer 3

Central importance of Sangha (community)
- Build and cultivate healthy and compassionate society

“The way out is in”
- Done by cultivating understanding, compassion, non-discrimination and true love

Question 4

Thich Nhat Hanh and Martin Luther King

Answer 4

Bonded over shared aspirations for building communities
Vowed that he would continue building a community and working for peace after King’s assassination

Question 5

Thich Nhat Hanh and environmental activism

Answer 5

Applies view of non-discrimination to environmental activation
- Focus on falling back in love with the Earth
- Practice centres are vegetarian

Question 6

Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village

Answer 6

Suffered a stroke and returned to Plum Village after treatment
Returned back to temple where he first started monkhood
Thay passed away in 2022

Question 7

What did Thich Nhat Hanh say about death?

Answer 7

He will never die; his body will pass on but he will continue because we can’t become nothing (we just change states)