A life in images... because Thây - Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master and friend - gave us all the words... and now, in this quiet silence of the last week of his earthly body, we give thanks for his continuation in us. At the same time as he was passing... midnight in Vietnam... I was in evening conversation with my Vietnamese nun-student... I was speaking of the inevitability of the passing happening someday, and yet, if only we could will it otherwise. She offered up the hopeful wish of the monastics that Thây might somehow give adequate warning... so that planes could be caught, travel arrangements made in time... but it doesn't work that way. Suddenly, one midnight, it is time.
1 comments:
How I love these photos. And how happy I am that you were privileged to go to Plum Village and be with him there. I cherish my rocks that the children of Plum Village painted. Our dear wise ones are leaving us, tired from entire lifetimes of spreading peace.......I have learned of two books we both will love: Brothers In the Beloved Community: the Friendship of Thich Naht Hahn and Martin Luther King and At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk's Life. I have ordered both. I adore his Fragrant Palm Leaves. I had not seen photos of him when he was a child - he same face, the same pure expression. Sigh. Such a lovely being.
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