A Deep Bow and a Smile: for Thich Nhat Hanh

December 02, 2014 by Gary Gach

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Thich Nhat Hanh weathered out his long exile, which he began 1966, returning to Vietnam in 2005. Following that watershed moment, temples where Buddhism had developed into little more than annual ceremonial candle lighting for the dead, are now re-energized by the kindling spark of Buddhism as continual daily practice.

These are each momentous. So too are the countless anecdotes. In 1983, for instance, at his visit to America's first Zen monastery, he noted a conspicuous absence of smiles. So it's noteworthy that the volume collecting much of his practices is called Happiness. Smile … breathe … pause. This moment is a happy moment.

From Thich Nhat Hanh I have learned that for there to be peace in the world, there must be peace within ourselves. When there's peace in myself, since I'm in the world there is peace in the world. Here's to peace in my heart ... peace in the world ... peace in my beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.

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About Gary Gach

Gary Gach is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism (Nautilus Award) and editor of What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop (American Book Award). His work has appeared in such magazines and anthologies as AsianArt.com, BuddhaDharma, Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Inquiring Mind, Language for a New Century, The New Yorker, Shambhala Sun, Technicians of the Sacred, Tricycle, Veterans of War Veterans of Peace, Whole Earth Review, and Yoga Journal.

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