1. If in our daily lives we can smile

    3 January 3, 2021

    If a child smiles, if an adult smiles, that is very important. If in our daily lives we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

    Jendhamuni in Boston on December 28, 2020.

     

  2. Craving, anger, jealousy, despair, fear, and wrong perceptions

    1 December 31, 2020

    Happiness is not possible unless we are free from afflictions – craving, anger, jealousy, despair, fear, and wrong perceptions. Freedom is one of the characteristics of nirvana. Some kinds of happiness actually destroy our body, our mind, and our relationships. 2019Freedom from craving is an important practice. Look deeply into the nature of what you think will bring you happiness and see whether it is, in fact, causing those you love to suffer. You have to know this if you want to be truly free. Come back to the present moment, and touch the wonders of life that are available. There are so many wholesome things that can make us happy right now, like the beautiful sunrise, the blue sky, the mountains, the rivers, and all the lovely faces around us. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

  3. Anxiety is the illness of our age

    Comment May 1, 2018

    Someone asked me, “Aren’t you worried about the state of the world?” I allowed myself to breathe and then I said, “What is most important is not to allow your anxiety about what happens in the world to fill your heart. If your heart is filled with anxiety, you will get sick, and you will not be able to help.” There are wars — big and small — in many places, and that can cause us to lose our peace. Anxiety is the illness of our age. We worry about ourselves, our family, our friends, our work, and the state of the world. If we allow worry to fill our hearts, sooner or later we will get sick. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

     

  4. We already have more than enough

    Comment April 28, 2018

    The concentration on ‘impermanence’ helps free us from our tendency to live as though we and our loved ones will be here forever. The concentration on ‘non-craving’ is an opportunity to take time to sit down and figure out what true happiness really is. We discover that we already have more than enough conditions to be happy, right here in the present moment. And the concentration on ‘letting go’ helps us disentangle ourselves from suffering and transform and release painful feelings. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

     

  5. An act of compassion always brings about transformation

    Comment January 7, 2018

    An act of compassion always brings about transformation. If not right now, it will happen in the future. The important thing is you don’t react with anger. You react with compassion, and sooner or later you see the transformation in the other person. You keep being compassionate, you keep being patient. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

  6. Forgiveness will not be possible until compassion is born in our heart

    Comment January 7, 2018

    Forgiveness will not be possible until compassion is born in our heart. Even if you want to forgive, you cannot forgive. In order to be compassionate, you have to understand why the other person has done that to you and your people. You have to see that they are victims of their own confusion, their own worldview, their own grieving, their own discrimination, their own lack of understanding and compassion. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

    Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt

     

  7. Learn from it and let it go

    Comment December 23, 2017

    Learn from it and let it go.
    The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.
    Worrying is worthless.
    When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment.
    Then you will begin to experience joy in life.

    ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  8. Our notions about happiness entrap us

    Comment December 23, 2017

    Our notions about happiness entrap us. We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy. We fail to see the opportunity for joy that is right in front of us when we are caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  9. Usually when we hear or read something new

    Comment December 23, 2017

    Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say that it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

  10. When you say something really unkind

    Comment December 23, 2017

    When you say something really unkind, when you do something in retaliation your anger increases. You make the other person suffer, and he will try hard to say or to do something back to get relief from his suffering. That is how conflict escalates. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Live & Die for Buddhism

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Me & Grandma

My Reflection

This site is a tribute to Buddhism. Buddhism has given me a tremendous inspiration to be who and where I am today. Although I came to America at a very young age, however, I never once forget who I am and where I came from. One thing I know for sure is I was born as a Buddhist, live as a Buddhist and will leave this earth as a Buddhist. I do not believe in superstition. I only believe in karma.

A Handful of Leaves

A Handful of Leaves

Tipitaka: The pali canon (Readings in Theravada Buddhism). A vast body of literature in English translation the texts add up to several thousand printed pages. Most -- but not all -- of the Canon has already been published in English over the years. Although only a small fraction of these texts are available here at Access to Insight, this collection can nonetheless be a very good place to start.

Major Differences

Major Differences in Buddhism

Major Differences in Buddhism: There is no almighty God in Buddhism. There is no one to hand out rewards or punishments on a supposedly Judgement Day ...read more

Problems we face today

jendhamuni pink scarfnature

Of the many problems we face today, some are natural calamities and must be accepted and faced with equanimity. Others, however, are of our own making, created by misunderstanding, and can be corrected...

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