Thich Nhat Hanh

Date of Birth: October 11, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 22, 2022

Biography

Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet, and peace activist who was recognized globally for his teachings on mindfulness and peace. Born on October 11, 1926, in Hue, Vietnam, he entered the monkhood at the age of 16. Thich Nhat Hanh was a pioneer in bringing Buddhism to the West and a proponent of socially engaged Buddhism. He established the Plum Village Monastery in France, which became the largest Buddhist monastery in Europe, attracting thousands of visitors annually. In his early years, he studied and practiced Buddhism in Vietnam, but the Vietnam War deeply affected him. As a result, he became an outspoken peace activist, advocating for nonviolence and social justice. His activism led him to the United States, where he met Martin Luther King Jr. and urged him to publicly denounce the Vietnam War. King later nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. Thich Nhat Hanh authored over 100 books on meditation, mindfulness, and peace, including “The Miracle of Mindfulness” and “Peace is Every Step.” His teachings emphasized the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating inner peace. He passed away on January 22, 2022, in Tu Hieu Temple in Hue, Vietnam.

5 Interesting Facts about Thich Nhat Hanh

1. Thich Nhat Hanh was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967.

2. He coined the term “Engaged Buddhism” to describe his approach to applying Buddhist principles to social issues.

3. He founded the Order of Interbeing in 1966, a monastic and lay group dedicated to mindful living and social service.

4. Thich Nhat Hanh was exiled from Vietnam for 39 years due to his peace activism during the Vietnam War.

5. He developed the “Five Mindfulness Trainings,” which are ethical guidelines based on the traditional Buddhist precepts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh

1. “Smile, breathe and go slowly.”

2. “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”

3. “There is no way to happiness—happiness is the way.”

4. “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”

5. “Peace is every step. The shining red sun is my heart.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and writings generated significant revenue, but as a monk, he did not accumulate personal wealth. His highest net worth is not publicly recorded as his life’s focus was on spiritual teachings and community support rather than personal financial gain.

Children

As a Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh took a vow of celibacy and did not have biological children. However, his spiritual teachings and numerous disciples around the world are often considered his “spiritual children.”