http://www.the-scientist.com//?articles.view/articleNo/39041/title/Book-Excerpt-from-Buddhist-Biology/
Please comment on at least one of the following sources and then comment on at least one of your classmates' posts.
General information
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/
More information about Thich Nhat Hanh
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/09/15/thich-nhat-hanh-visits-boston/uogJLMVsJML1To2SxsPxRI/story.html
Watch or listen to one of these:
Oprah interviews Thich Nhat Hanh (this is a really clear, helpful interview. You will love the monk!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9UtuWfs3U
A radio interview with Thich Nhat Hanh
http://www.onbeing.org/program/brother-thay-radio-pilgrimage-thich-nhat-hanh/74
A radio interview about Buddhism in Burma
http://www.onbeing.org/program/burma-buddhism-and-power/75
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About the Dalai Lama:
- in Louisville in May 2013 http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/293-youth-engaging-compassion
- ABC Interview http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/287-abcs-730-interviews-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-in-sydney
- Tulane commencement speech 2013 http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/283-tulane-universitys-2013-commencement-keynote-address
After watching the interview with Oprah and Thich Naht Hahn it is really inspiring to hear his story and see how peaceful he really is. It is amazing to hear his stories of his early childhood and how he knew he wanted to be apart of the ordained Buddhist life ever since he saw the image of Buddha at a young age. It is also inspiring how even though he was growing up in Vietnam during a horrific war and likely witnessing terrible things he was able to come out of that and be the peaceful person he is today. Also how he was exiled from his home country for thirty-nine years because he was ‘a peaceful warrior’ yet he did not allow this to affect him. I believe this is something we should all try to imitate because I know I personally allow much lesser things than being exiled from my country to affect me.
ReplyDeleteAbby as you mentioned he was exiled from his country and experienced a lot of suffering through the vietnam war. In light of this he is still happy and smiling all the time. I think that it is so appropriate that Oprah ask him about suffering and happiness and how the two go hand in hand and he replies that we cannot have one without the other because he is a perfect living example of this ideal.
DeleteI watched Oprah's interview with Thich Naht Hanh and I thought that he was excellent in sharing what he believed in and explaining his beliefs. When reading the chapter on Buddhism and even discussing it in class I was very confused about the central beliefs behind Buddhism. After listening to Thich Naht Hanh explain the way he lives life I believe I now have a better grasp on what Buddhism is like and what they believe. One thing that caught my attention more that anything else was his explanation of the four mantras. It was very helpful to know that much of what the mantras were based on had to do with a personal relationship with someone else and not just inward meditation. I think that there is much that can be learned from Thich Naht Hanh and his worldview, no matter your doctrine or beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI wish he talked more about the meditation process though. I think that is a practice that everyone should learn. We may be able to handle stress and our passionate emotions if we learned how to control our minds.
DeleteI watched his interview with Oprah for Thich Naht Hanh, and I found him pretty interesting. First off, it's cool to see someone who met Martin Luther King Jr, A comment was made about deep listening being the only way to counter terrorism, which caught my attention. i've always considered terrorism to be a sad fact of life. as long as we exist, that there will be someone oppressing another being. Thich Nact Hanh also commented on "inter-are", saying how good and evil exist together, which I also believe. without evil or corruption, what value would justice and purity have in our society?
ReplyDeleteThere is a movie called "The Invention of Lying" and it is a world where nobody lies. I can see this as an interpretation of "Good vs Evil" as viewing it as not lying is good, and lying is evil. But no matter the world we are in there will always be good and evil, we just have to find that balance as you have mentioned before.
DeleteVery interesting and informative interview Oprah had with Thich Nhat Hanh. He seemed so peaceful and patient, and as Oprah said, she had good feelings having him in the room, less stressed. For me, the whole part on deep listening was important to hear, and made me think more about myself and being in some situations where perhaps I shouldn't have immediately said what I was thinking and should have just listened to the other person more, allowing them to vent and bring my thoughts to them later. The four mantras were very interesting as well, definitely made me think about my life more and those who are apart of it and appreciating those in my life.
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction to the part on deep listening as well. I am not a very good listener (as I have been told, I'm like talking to a brick wall) and listening to him speak about this gave me some insight on how I could maybe become better at the process of deep listening.
Delete"It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community—a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living.
DeleteThis may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the Earth."
—THICH NHAT HANH
This quote resonates with me so much. Daily stress, the rushing to go from one place to another, having a phone to be reached at all times that anchors me to everyone for no real good reason has always bothered me. If we all just slowed down, connected with our feeling and took a real direct concern with our peers I think everyone, like the ripple effect, would benefit.
Good to hear Alexis!
DeleteAnd I agree Melissa, technology has taken over some people's lives and it's unfortunate that a lot of people don't have good communication with their family and friends.
I, like everybody else, watched Oprah's interview with Thich Naht Hanh. After watching, Hanh's inner peace and overall calmness astounds me after the tribulations he has faced including his 39 year exile. However, to him, these obstacles are merely another part of his journey. He does not stress about such things, instead he channels his energy into nonviolent and peaceful movements. He states in the interniew that the "beginners mind" is ones most profound desire. He goes on to say that from the age of seven until the present, he still has the same beginner's mind;" the desire to be a monk.
ReplyDeleteAfter talking in class, I think it's clear that Hahn has found the inner peace or state of Nirvana, although I'm sure he still feels he is progressing to this day. He practices mindfulness, deep listening, and compassion in order to oppose terrorism in the world. I liked he quote that said when we are angry,we are not lucid. Instead, compassion should be our driving energy. I think this perfectly outlines the beliefs and values of Buddhism.
I also watched Oprah's interview. From the very beginning when Thich Naht Hanh started speaking, I could sense his calmness. His voice remains and he maintains this peaceful appearance throughout the interview. In the beginning, he says, "There is a possibility to handle every kind of event" and this really stuck out to me. This made me reflect on how I sometimes handle events and when faced with struggles, I often think there are no solutions. I also really enjoyed his suggestion on deep listening.
ReplyDeleteBuddhism is a religion that is focused on "self". The religion focuses on the personal journey to find inner enlightenment and become known as "The Awakened One". another focus is to find peace with yourself and that everything can be changed and is not fixed. Throughout life you find bits and pieces of a past life that you have lived before, and that the life you are living now is a reincarnation.
ReplyDeleteThere are 4 noble truths which are of Buddha's teachings and they are
"The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)
The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)"
following these truths lead to a release of pain and suffering and are guides to find enlightenment.
You can tell that this monk definitely follows and displays these truths. He seems like he is not suffering at all, he is just so at peace and relaxed.
DeleteI watched the interview with Oprah and I really enjoyed it. The monk just seemed so at peace. I can definitely see how calm he just in his voice and the way he talks. In the interview they talk about deep listening and how when you listen compassionately it will help the other suffer less. I feel like we have moved away from this concept in the rush of the world today and we really do not seem to sit down and listen, especially to those who need to talk or just someone to listen too.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Tyler. With all of the technology and smart phones we have, we are constantly doing something. When we are on our computers we get frustrated if it takes more than a few seconds to load a page. We are always busy doing something instead of sitting down and thinking about life, listening to people, or having genuine conversations. I feel like we can all learn something from the monk, especially with talking, listening, and thinking genuinely.
DeleteLike almost everyone in the class, I found the Oprah video the most interesting. I think we can get something out of watching the video, and it is most likely different for everyone. What I got out of it was how we should take the time to genuinely think about our lives. We are too distracted with all the media in today's society. The monk is a great example of what we could accomplish if we were more focused on displaying these positive actions that the monk showed us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Nick. A lot of people don't realize how plugged in they really are to technology. I cant tell you many times I will be talking to someone and it seems they are more interested in their phone than me. I fell that if took a little time out of their day they would be able to accomplish more than they would think.
DeleteI also agree with Nick in the sense that there is evidence that people are extremely dependent on technology. Every time in my classes i look around i actually see someone on their phone checking to see if anyone liked their status on facebook. We never take enough time out of our day ot think about where we are at in our lives and appreciate the smaller things that help our become easier. I love the small things in life they help me get through a lot.
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ReplyDeleteBy the way, you can follow him on twitter:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/thichnhathanh