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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 17
buddhanature—small acts of and fresh, but it’s our discovery that challenges and the suffering of the
compassion, moments of insight and is new, not the qualities themselves. world with an open heart and a clear
understanding. These things are so mind. When we make appreciation
common that we don’t even notice This discovery of our own the foundation of our practice, every
them. Recognizing these qualities buddhanature is the solution to the moment is filled with possibility.
is like discovering a treasure that’s problems we face. It gives us the
been buried right beneath our feet. confidence, the compassion, and Source: Lion’s Roar, March 2019.
What we discover might feel new the wisdom to deal with our own www.LionsRoar.com EH
The Power of Peace
By Ven Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) global hub for mindfulness
was a Vietnamese Zen master, and reconciliation. Through
poet, and peace activist whose his more than 100 books and
life embodied the call to teachings, he helped popularize
transform suffering through mindfulness in the West, as a Spreading Happiness
mindfulness and compassion. path toward inner peace and If a child smiles, if an adult smiles,
In the 1960s, he founded the social transformation that is very important. If in our
School of Youth for Social Service daily life we can smile, if we can
(SYSS), sending volunteers to “Humankind has become a very be peaceful and happy, not only
war-torn villages in Vietnam dangerous species. We need we, but everyone will profit from
to rebuild schools, clinics, people who can sit still and be it. This is the most basic kind of
and homes—serving all sides able to smile, who can walk peace. When I see Tim smiling, I am
impartially. He coined the term peacefully. We need people like so happy. If he is aware that he is
“Engaged Buddhism,” stressing that in order to save us.” making other people happy, he can
say, “You are welcome.”
that true peace arises within
Recently I was sitting with
and radiates outward through
a group of children, and a Many of us worry about the
compassionate action. After
boy named Tim was smiling situation of the world. We don’t
writing to Martin Luther King
beautifully. I said, “Tim, you have know when the bombs will explode.
Jr. in 1965 urging opposition to We feel that we are on the edge
a very beautiful smile,” and he
the Vietnam War, he influenced of time. As individuals, we feel
said, “Thank you.” I told him,
MLK to publicly denounce the helpless, despairing. The situation
“You don’t have to thank me, I
conflict; King nominated him for is so dangerous, injustice is so
have to thank you. Because of
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967, widespread, the danger is close.
your smile, you make life more
calling him “an apostle of peace In this kind of a situation, if we
beautiful. Instead of saying,
and non-violence”. In 1982, he panic, things will only become
“Thank you,” you should say, worse. We need to remain calm,
founded Plum Village monastery
“You’re welcome.” to see clearly. Meditation is to be
in France, which became a
aware and to try to help.
