Go as a River, Not a Drop of Water: Taking Refuge in the Sangha
In a 2002 Dharma talk, Thich Nhat Hanh describes taking refuge in the sangha as becoming a river that inevitably reaches the ocean, rather than a solitary drop of water. He explains the practice of kung‑an—an intense, personal koan that concentrates all mindfulness on a deep source of suffering—to catalyze insight. The Order of Interbeing is presented as a living organism, guided by collective mindfulness instead of hierarchical organization, drawing lessons from bees, birds, and fish. This model emphasizes that true harmony arises when the community functions as a unified, mindful whole.
“This Bitter Earth… May Not Be so Bitter After All.”
Brother Dinh Thanh recounts a recent pilgrimage in Vietnam that follows Thich Nhat Hanh’s footsteps, centering on the Root Temple of Tu Hieu and the forest of Phuong Boi. He uses the classic song “This Bitter Earth” to illustrate the...
How to Fight
Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s "How to Fight" teaches that anger stems from entrenched neural pathways that can be reshaped through mindfulness. By pausing, breathing, and observing the emotion, individuals create new pathways toward compassion and forgiveness. The practice emphasizes...