Mindful Development

Saturday, 30 April 2011 16:55 |

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Mindful Development

A message of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh at the International Vesak 2011

In which way should our society develop, economically and socially, so that we can touch interbeing, the interconnectedness of all on this planet – cultures and governments, continents and nations, earth and sky, plants and animals, students and teachers, and fathers and sons?

How can we guide the next generation of young people to a world that is more sane and healthy – bodily, emotionally, and spiritually?

What teachings and practices of Buddhism can help us find true happiness and freedom, and handle and deal with our current social and economical state?

We congratulate the Buddhist Supreme Sangha Council and all the participants and organizers of the 8th UNDV conference, for gathering as a community to celebrate and enjoy our togetherness and to build brotherhood and sisterhood. It is our conviction that the Buddhist teachings and practices can make a major contribution towards a global spirituality and ethic that can guide humanity in this critical moment.

With the various crises we are witnessing in different parts of the world, it is clear that the era of independent nations with borders and separate interests is gradually coming to a close; that the suffering and pain of one nation is fundamentally linked to and is shared by the hearts of people of all nations; that the instability and depression of another nation affects the prosperity and security of peoples all over the planet. In our present time and place, it is clear that social and economic development and all the challenges that come with it are no longer individual matters.

But we are not without hope. The problems that confront our planet and our humanity – environmental tension, social and family dysfunction, economic instability, and political unrest – give us an opportunity to pause, recognize, re-examine the sources of our suffering, and find a path that can lead us towards a brighter future and to an even brighter present. This is the basic formula that the Buddha used during his own lifetime to guide his fellow beings to tend to their suffering. This basic formula can help guide us now, to our own salvation. The three distinctively Buddhist virtues of mindfulness, concentration, and insight can lead us to this salvation. Applied appropriately and skillfully, they can help us discover a global ethic and a mindful way of living that can guide the development of our society towards a more sane and healthy direction.

We must find ways to apply the Buddhist teachings – namely, the practice of mindfulness, the teachings on suffering and well-being, the wisdom of inter-being and non-discrimination, the Five Mindfulness Trainings (5 Precepts-see attached), and the teachings on the Four Nutriments – so that our society can become more mindful in its production and consumption; so that companies and individuals can produce less toxic waste that harms our collective minds and the environment, and can consume less and in a way that nourishes our body and heart. We as individuals and as nations should apply the Buddhist teachings of moderation, of knowing that we already have enough.

In the intimacy of our homes, fathers and sons apply the teachings so they can have more time and be more present for one another (rather than for their computer screens), and can restore communication by learning to listen deeply and speak more lovingly.

In the sterile classrooms and cold halls of our institutions, teachers and students can learn ways to support one another as in the warm atmosphere of the family, to be less stressful, to relax and handle their feelings and emotions, and to apply themselves in a direction that is meaningful and wholesome – graduating young people not just for the work-force of a capitalistic machine, but for a kinder and freer generation who cooperate more than compete.

In power oriented offices of companies and governmental workplaces, colleagues and fellow workers can serve more mindfully, building brotherhood and sisterhood, nourishing their compassion and generosity, and guiding our society in the direction of true happiness and reconciliation.

In our modern times, as we look for models of development in the ten directions, freedom to develop is highly prized and sought after, but at what price to our young ones and our fragile environment and at what cost to our individual and collective body and consciousness.

It is never too late to pause and reflect and to find practices that can bring responsibility and ethical behaviors back into our society, our governments, into our families, and our lives.

With love and trust,

Thích Nhất Hạnh

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Comments (13)

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thank u
written by amanda , May 08, 2011

Hi, Thich Nhat Hanh, I read your books everyday and thank you for your guidance. You have helped change my life and given me inner strenght. Love from Amanda and family in Ireland

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written by Apple Trai , May 05, 2011

I need to be your student.

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For my Beautiful Teacher....
written by Rebecca Anne Martinez , May 05, 2011

I love you smilies/kiss.gif

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Coordinator
written by Chris Helmuth , May 04, 2011

Thích Nhất Hạnh,

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your wisdom with us. You exude your teachings and for that, I listen.

I have been structuring the answer to the above questions, and the west is not interested in hearing them. They are too loud impressing themselves and each other. I would like very much to build a coffee house for young men who are destined to be in prison and have foster care children. I want the coffee house to fund a four-year campus to teach these men AND women self value, family care, being honorable, and master a trade. They would, in their fourth year, be required to teach the younger people the same. If each person were sponsored by a company, that company would get in return a groomed, loyal, and informed employee. It would work out for the young person, the company, society, and the children of that person. Thank you

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written by Anita Anand , May 04, 2011

As we are always on the search for better paradigms for development, mindful development is a welcome and thoughtful addition.

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written by baji , May 03, 2011

this letter is so succinct and right on

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written by Nhi , May 03, 2011

Cam on Thay that nhieu. Chuc Thay luon luon an lanh va manh khoe.

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Dharmacharya
written by Ian Prattis , May 03, 2011

A wonderful update for the Sutra On the Better Way to Catch a Snake. What not to be caught by and the skilfull application ot the Buddha's teachings to the 21st century.

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Celebrating UN Vesak too..!
written by Julian Bamford , May 03, 2011

Thank you Venerable Thich Nhat Hahn. Wishing you and all your readers and students Happy Vesak. We are also celebrating UN Vesak in Melbourne Australia on 21 May at Melbourne Town Hall. Website: www.unvesk.org

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written by George Hoguet , May 03, 2011

Thank you, Thay, so much. I hope that I can grow as young as you someday. I commit to live this vision, as best I can, in my daily life, with my family, my neighbors, community and especially with, and for, the next generation,

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a flower from the home garden
written by albina , May 02, 2011

I share this message full of love for menkind and for all nations and countries and for everything , from the smaller creature to the entire Earth Planet, thanks to the teacher and to the Sangha for enlightening my dayly life and my mind.
A smiling flower fronm the home garden for you all....

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written by Maritza Carrasco-Marchessi , May 02, 2011

Thank you for such enlightning message, Thich...a teacher myself who is always listening and forever learning...'cause is so much to listen and do. Thank you, again...