Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes
Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, peace activist, and one of the most influential teachers of contemporary engaged Buddhism. His leadership of the Buddhist Peace Delegation during the Vietnam War, his founding of the School of Youth for Social Service, and his decades-long exile in France, where he established the Plum Village monastic community, made him a global figure of mindful and nonviolent practice. The quotes below are attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh, organized by topic.
Thich Nhat Hanh on Happiness
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“Birds' songs express joy , beauty, and purity, and evoke in us vitality and love . So many beings in the universe love us unconditionally. The trees, the water, and the air don't ask anything of us; they just love us. Even though we need this kind of love, we continue to destroy them. By destroying the animals, the air, and the trees, we are destroying ourselves.”
Love in Action: Writings on Nonviolent Social Change (1993), p. 131 -
“When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other, your mind will enjoy true peace, joy and lightness”
Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing ISBN 81-7621-167-2
Thich Nhat Hanh on Justice
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“Your first love has no beginning or end. Your first love is not your first love, and it is not your last. It is just love. It is one with everything.”
Cultivating the Mind of Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing ISBN 81-216-0676-4
Thich Nhat Hanh on Knowledge
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“If you see someone who is trying to shoot, to destroy, you have to do your best in order to prevent him or her to do so. You must. But you must do it out of your compassion, of your willingness to protect, and not out of anger. That is the key. If you need to use force, you have to use it, but you have to make sure that you act out of compassion and a willingness to protect, not out of anger.”
PBS interview (2003) -
“PBS interview (2003)”
If you see someone who is trying to shoot, to destroy, you have to do your best in order to prevent him or her to do so. You must. But you must do it out of your compassion, of your willingness to protect, and not out of anger. That is the key. If you need to use force, you have to use it, but you have to make sure that you act out of compassion and a willingness to protect, not out of anger. -
“When you feel anger arising, remember to return to your breathing and follow it. The other person may see that you are practicing, and she may even apologize.”
Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing ISBN 81-7621-167-2
Thich Nhat Hanh on Life
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“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves.”
The Miracle of Mindfulness (1999)
Thich Nhat Hanh on Love
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“Love in Action: Writings on Nonviolent Social Change (1993), p. 131”
Birds' songs express joy , beauty, and purity, and evoke in us vitality and love . So many beings in the universe love us unconditionally. The trees, the water, and the air don't ask anything of us; they just love us. Even though we need this kind of love, we continue to destroy them. By destroying the animals, the air, and the trees, we are destroying ourselves. -
“Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing ISBN 81-7621-167-2”
When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other, your mind will enjoy true peace, joy and lightness -
“Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing ISBN 81-7621-167-2”
When you feel anger arising, remember to return to your breathing and follow it. The other person may see that you are practicing, and she may even apologize. -
“Cultivating the Mind of Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing ISBN 81-216-0676-4”
Your first love has no beginning or end. Your first love is not your first love, and it is not your last. It is just love. It is one with everything.
Thich Nhat Hanh on Mind
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Attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh:
“If you are not in the present moment, you are nowhere at all.”
Thich Nhat Hanh on Nature
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Attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh:
“Interbeing is the truth that nothing is by itself; everything inter-is with everything else.”
Thich Nhat Hanh on Politics
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“Peace is every step.”
When I was in Vietnam, so many of our villages were being bombed. Along with my monastic brothers and sisters, I had to decide what to do. Should we continue to practice in our monasteries, or should we leave the meditation halls in order to help the people who were suffering under the bombs? After careful reflection, we decided to do both—to go out and help people and to do so in mindfulness. We -
“Smiling is the most basic kind of peace work.”
Being Peace