Book Summary: Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh

Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh Details & Statistics

Statistics of Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh

• Best Sellers Rank:
  • Overall: #548,866 in Books
  • Zen Philosophy Category: #418
  • Zen Spirituality Category: #534
  • Meditation Category: #3,761
• Customer Ratings:
  • Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 915 ratings
  • Goodreads Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 13,597 ratings
• Publication Information:
  • Release Date: October 29, 2024
  • Forewords by: Jack Kornfield and Jane Goodall
• Genres:
  • Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Religion, Self-Help

Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes

1. If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

2. In modern society most of us don’t want to be in touch with ourselves; we want to be in touch with other things like religion, sports, politics, a book – we want to forget ourselves. Anytime we have leisure, we want to invite something else to enter us, opening ourselves to the television and telling the television to come and colonize us.

3. 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.

4. Guarding knowledge is not a good way to understand. Understanding means to throw away your knowledge.

5. It is possible to live happily in the here and now. So many conditions of happiness are available—more than enough for you to be happy right now. You don’t have to run into the future in order to get more.

6. Preventing war is much better than protesting against the war. Protesting the war is too late.

7. We do so much, we run so quickly, the situation is difficult, and many people say, “Don’t just sit there, do something.” But doing more things may make the situation worse. So you should say, “Don’t just do something, sit there.” Sit there, stop, be yourself first, and begin from there.

8. My joy is like Spring, so warmit makes flowers bloom all over the Earth.My pain is like a river of tears,so vast it fills the four oceans.Please call me by my true names,so I can hear all my cries and laughter at once,so I can see that my joy and pain are one.

9. If you cannot be compassionate to yourself, you will not be able to be compassionate to others. When we get angry, we have to produce awareness: “I am angry. Anger is in me. I am anger.” That is the first thing to do.

10. Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

11. For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.

12. Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.

Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh Table Of Contents

• Title Page
  
• Praise for Thich Nhat Hanh and Being Peace
  
• Copyright
  
• Foreword
  
• 1: Suffering Is Not Enough
  
• 2: The Three Gems
• 3: Feelings and Perceptions
  
• 4: The Heart of Practice
  
• 5: Working for Peace
  
• 6: Interbeing
  
• 7: Meditation in Daily Life
  
• About Thich Nhat Hanh
  
• About Mayumi Oda 

Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh Book Summary

Chapter 1: Suffering Is Not Enough

In Suffering Is Not Enough, Thich Nhat Hanh explains that life’s suffering is interwoven with wonders like the blue sky and a child’s smile. He asserts that to focus solely on suffering neglects the beauty surrounding us. Meditation, he suggests, is a practice to recognize both joy and sorrow, helping us fully engage with life.

Through mindfulness, we cultivate inner peace, transforming how we relate to others. Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes the importance of finding serenity in the present moment, advocating for mindful living as a path to happiness and compassion. In his view, true peace arises not from escapism but from embracing life’s dual nature of joy and pain, thus allowing us to live harmoniously within our families and society.

Chapter 2: The Three Gems

In The Three Gems, Nhat Hanh introduces the foundational Buddhist concepts of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—collectively known as the Three Gems. These principles underscore the interconnectedness of awakening, teachings, and community. Thich Nhat Hanh describes the Buddha as the awakening within us, the Dharma as the teachings that guide our understanding, and the Sangha as a supportive community of practice.

He shares a story about a novice monk questioning the reality of the Buddha, which ultimately leads to a profound realization: Buddha nature exists in each individual. This chapter calls for readers to integrate mindfulness practices into their lives, seeing themselves as part of a greater whole that is collectively responsible for peace and compassion in society.

Chapter 3: Feelings and Perceptions

Feelings and Perceptions delve into the influence of our emotions and viewpoints on personal peace. Nhat Hanh explains that feelings—pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral—arise constantly, shaping our experience of the world. Meditation helps us observe these feelings without attachment, allowing us to perceive them.

Nhat Hanh illustrates how changing our perception can transform suffering into joy, encouraging readers to find happiness in simple, overlooked aspects of daily life. He reminds readers that by training in mindfulness, they can develop a deeper understanding of their own and others’ emotions, which fosters compassion and harmony.

Chapter 4: The Heart of Practice

In The Heart of Practice, Nhat Hanh introduces the concept of Engaged Buddhism, which focuses on using meditation to reengage with society compassionately. This chapter examines how each individual’s actions affect the collective whole, using the analogy of paper that contains all elements of life within it.

Meditation here is not escapism but a preparation to interact peacefully with others, supporting a communal sense of interbeing. He argues that understanding oneself as interconnected with all life is vital for harmonious relationships. The heart of Buddhist practice, he suggests, lies in recognizing that one’s happiness and suffering are bound to others, inspiring ethical and compassionate living.

Chapter 5: Working for Peace

Working for Peace calls for individuals to extend their inner peace outward by fostering compassion and understanding in their communities. Nhat Hanh uses the metaphor of a small boat crossing dangerous waters to illustrate how one calm person can influence others in distress, potentially averting disaster. He stresses the role of mindfulness in global peace efforts, noting that those who cultivate inner peace can create ripples that impact society positively.

Through mindful actions and speech, individuals can serve as beacons of clarity and calm, promoting understanding across cultural and ideological divides. This chapter highlights the power of one’s actions to bring about meaningful societal change.

Chapter 6: Interbeing

Nhat Hanh explores the concept of interdependence, describing how each element of life contains all other elements. This chapter stresses that our interconnectedness with others and the environment is fundamental to existence. Nhat Hanh introduces the term “interbeing” to express how everything in the universe is deeply interconnected, including humans, nature, and the cosmos.

This chapter encourages readers to consider the ethical implications of their choices, as each action affects the larger web of life. Recognizing this connection, he suggests, can lead to greater compassion, as people realize that harming others or the environment is ultimately harming themselves.

Chapter 7: Meditation in Daily Life

Meditation in Daily Life provides practical guidance on integrating mindfulness practices into everyday activities. Nhat Hanh emphasizes that meditation is not restricted to sitting in silence but can be incorporated into actions like walking, eating, and breathing.

Through mindfulness, individuals can cultivate a peaceful state even amid routine tasks. This approach to meditation helps counteract modern life’s distractions and anxieties, allowing for a deeper presence in each moment. Nhat Hanh also highlights that consistent mindfulness practice leads to an enduring sense of peace, enabling individuals to contribute more effectively to societal harmony and fostering an authentic connection with others.

About the Author: Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist from Vietnam, was born in 1926 and dedicated his life to teaching mindfulness, compassion, and nonviolent solutions. He was exiled from Vietnam in the 1960s for his anti-war stance, which emphasized peaceful conflict resolution. Known as one of the foremost figures in the mindfulness movement in the West, he founded the Plum Village monastery in France, which has grown into a global community of Engaged Buddhism.

His teachings emphasized the transformation of personal suffering to contribute to world peace. With over 100 published works, his insights continue to inspire individuals worldwide on the path to mindfulness and compassion.

Thich Nhat Hanh passed away in 2022.

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