Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) was a Vietnamese Zen master, poet, and peace activist whose teachings on “Interbeing” examined the interconnectedness of all phenomena. His development of “Engaged Buddhism” integrated contemplative practice with social and environmental action.
During the Vietnam War, Thich Nhat Hanh worked with war refugees and advocated for peace, leading to decades of exile. He established Plum Village in France, which became one of the most visited monasteries in the West. His “School for Youth and Social Services” helped rebuild villages bombed during the war and later became the Order of Interbeing, a worldwide lay practice community.
His concept of “Interbeing” proposed that humans, animals, plants, minerals, and atmosphere are interconnected to the extent that none can exist independently. This view parallels deep ecology’s understanding of ecological interdependence and challenges anthropocentric perspectives.
Thich Nhat Hanh made Buddhist practice accessible through simple teachings on awareness of breathing and walking meditation. He suggested that mindful attention to present-moment experience leads to recognition of embeddedness in the web of life. His environmental teachings proposed that healing the Earth requires understanding the mind.
His “Earth-holder Sangha” concept envisioned spiritual communities committed to sustainable living and environmental protection. He wrote over 100 books in Vietnamese, English, and French, reaching global audiences with teachings integrating Buddhist wisdom and environmental consciousness. His influence extends to environmental education, psychotherapy, and peace work.
Key Concepts
- Interbeing: The interconnectedness of all phenomena - nothing exists independently
- Engaged Buddhism: Contemplative practice applied to social and environmental action
- Mindful Consumption: Conscious awareness of how choices affect beings and ecosystems
- Earth Sangha: Spiritual communities committed to environmental healing
- Walking Meditation: Recognizing Earth through mindful steps
Essential Works
- “The Miracle of Mindfulness” (Beacon Press, 1975) - ISBN 978-0-8070-1239-0
- “Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism” (Parallax Press, 1987) - ISBN 978-0-938077-08-2
- “The Heart of Understanding” (Parallax Press, 1988) - ISBN 978-0-938077-11-2
- “Peace Is Every Step” (Bantam, 1991) - ISBN 978-0-553-35139-5
- “Love Letter to the Earth” (Parallax Press, 2013) - ISBN 978-1-937006-28-0
- “Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet” (HarperOne, 2021) - ISBN 978-0-06-295468-9
Selected Quotes
We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness. — The Heart of Understanding (1988)
The Earth is not just our environment. The Earth is our mother. — Love Letter to the Earth (2013)
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. — Peace Is Every Step (1991)
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. — The Long Road Turns to Joy (1996)
Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible. — The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching (1998)
We inter-are with the rain forests, the water table, and the atmosphere. — Love Letter to the Earth (2013)
When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. — Peace Is Every Step (1991)
Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. — Being Peace (1987)
Further Reading
Biographical Sources
- Wikipedia: Thich Nhat Hanh
- Nhat Hanh, Thich. Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals 1962-1966 (Riverhead Books, 1998) - ISBN 978-1-57322-796-8
Key Books
- The Miracle of Mindfulness (Beacon Press, 1975) - ISBN 978-0-8070-1239-0
- Peace Is Every Step (Bantam, 1991) - ISBN 978-0-553-35139-5
- Love Letter to the Earth (Parallax Press, 2013) - ISBN 978-1-937006-28-0
Related Resources
- Plum Village
- Parallax Press
- Order of Interbeing practice resources