Deep and subtle changes in values, beliefs and priorities in many parts of the world in recent decades emerge in the broad response to Thich Nhat Hanh's death. It is a truly profound change involving human rights, environmentalism, mutual aid, education, respect for animals and much more, all messages of which the monk Thich Nhat Hanh was a perfect example of practicing the Buddhist vision in action.
As His Holiness wrote in the condolence message *
"In his peaceful opposition to the Vietnam War, in his support for Martin Luther King and especially in his dedication to sharing with others not only how awareness and compassion contribute to inner peace, but also as individuals who cultivate the peace of while contributing to true peace in the world, the Venerable lived a truly meaningful life.
"I have no doubt that the best way we can pay tribute to him is to continue his work to promote world peace."
In the heart of the Buddha
We have recovered, with the help of Stefano Gaviglio a dear friend of Sangha Onlus, a beautiful text taken from Thich Nhat Hanh, The heart of the Buddha's teaching. The transformation of suffering into peace, joy and liberation, Neri Pozza 2017, Italian translation by Diana Petech.
We share it with you.
"The Sangha is made up of the fourfold community: monks, nuns, laymen and lay people, and also by the other elements that support us in the practice: the meditation cushion, the path in which we practice walking meditation, the trees, the sky, the flowers .
In my country it is said that a tiger who leaves his mountain to go down to the plain will be captured by men and killed. When a practitioner gives up the Sangha, he may also give up the practice and "die" as a practitioner. It is essential to practice with a Sangha: even if we deeply appreciate the practice, it may be difficult to continue without the support of friends.
It is definitely worth investing energy in a Sangha. If you sow in arid soil, very few seeds will germinate; but if you select a fertile land and invest your wonderful seeds in it, the harvest will be abundant and profitable. Building a Sangha, sustaining it, attending it, receiving its help and guidance is a true practice. We have individual eyes and Sangha eyes: when a Sangha illuminates our personal points of view with his own light, we see more clearly. In the Sangha we do not fall into the usual negative patterns of behavior. Do not stray from your Sangha, rather take refuge in him, and you will have the support and wisdom you need.
When members of a Sangha live in harmony, their Sangha is sacred. Do not think that the title of Holiness is reserved for the Pope or the Dalai Lama; holiness is also in you and in your Sangha. Where a community meditates, breathes, walks and eats together in awareness, there is holiness. When you form a Sangha that has happiness, joy and peace in it, you see the elements of holiness in the Sangha.
King Prasenajit, a good friend and disciple of the Buddha, said to him: "Looking at your Sangha makes me believe in the Buddha and the Dharma." He watched the monks and nuns, calm, full of peace and joy, free, walking, standing and sitting in awareness, and in them he saw the Buddha and the Dharma.
The Dharma and the Sangha are doors through which we enter the heart of the Buddha.
One day the Buddha went with Ananda to a monastery in Kośala. All the monks were out for begging except one, ill with dysentery: he lay exhausted, his clothes and bed dirty with excrement. When the Buddha saw him, he asked him: "Where have the other monks gone?" Why isn't there anyone to take care of you? " The sick monk replied: «Sir, all my brothers are out on the begging round. At the beginning they took care of me, but since I didn't improve I told them I would do it alone ». The Buddha and Ananda gave him a bath, cleaned his room, washed his clothes and made him wear a clean suit. When the monks returned, the Buddha said to them:
“Friends, if we don't take care of each other, who is going to take care of us? If you take care of each other, you take care of the Tathagata ».
There are authentic jewels and fake jewels; if anyone gives you teachings that contradict the Three Seals - impermanence, not self and nirvana - know that that is not authentic Dharma. If a community has mindfulness, peace, joy and freedom, that is a true Sangha. A Sangha who does not practice mindfulness and who is not free, full of peace and joy, cannot be called a true Sangha. Even the Buddha can be true or false. In the Diamond Sutra the Buddha states: "If you look for me in forms and sounds, you will never find the Tathagata."
Thank you very much again and we dedicate all credit to the quick return of Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Photos: His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Thich Nhat Hanh (Photo / Lions Roar)
*Source: http://it.dalailama.com/news