A Lifetime of Peace: Essential Writings by and about Thich Nhat Hanh [Paperback]

Jennifer Schwamm Willis (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2003

A Lifetime of Peace follows the successful model established by A Lifetime of Wisdom: Essential Writings by and about the Dalai Lama. It draws on dozens of sources to collect the very best writing by and about Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist. This timely collection is both a political and spiritual handbook which encompasses all of Thich Nhat Hanh's major themes—mindfulness, love, truth, compassion, and peace on earth. In 1967 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing the monk's lifelong efforts to encourage peace and reconciliation around the world. This important collection will not only present Hanh's writing about his experiences during the Vietnam War and excerpts from his journals, but also collect a range of other highlights, such as his advice for those entering into meditation practice and his unique insights into Buddhist and Christian theology. But above all, A Lifetime of Peace is a timely and thought-provoking examination of the nature of peace—both as an inner state of being and as a real condition in the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of musings, poetry and interviews has the main ingredient needed for a successful anthology-a fascinating subject. Thich Nhat Hanh is the renowned Buddhist monk who was exiled from his homeland of Vietnam in 1966 because of his global peace activism. The following year, Martin Luther King Jr. nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize. For the past three decades, the monk has taught his own form of "engaged Buddhism"-which means applying Buddhist teachings to social problems. Known to his students as "Thay" (the Vietnamese word for teacher), this small and drably dressed man has become one of the most admired spiritual teachers of the world. His writings on peace, anger, suffering and mindfulness (many of which appear in this collection) have universal appeal because of his calm voice, clarity and endearing humility. So veteran editor Willis (Explore: Stories of Survival from off the Map) had a dream combination-a great man and a great writer. She also had a previous model-that of A Lifetime of Wisdom, Essential Writings by and About the Dalai Lama, from the same publisher. Despite all this collection had going for it, it falls short of its potential. Its main shortcoming is the lack of a clear thematic structure; the anthology reads like a series of scavenged writings rather than a satisfying whole. Even so, everything Thich Nhat Hanh writes is a singular Zen delight, as are many of the other entries, especially the interviews with bell hooks and the editors of Tricycle, the Buddhist Review.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (September 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569244413
• ISBN-13: 978-1569244418
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #707,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese monk, a renowned Zen master, a poet, and a peace activist. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize by Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1967, and is the author of many books, including the best-selling The Miracle of Mindfulness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gifts from a True Master, March 21, 2006

By 

Jason Nelson "musshin" (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Lifetime of Peace: Essential Writings by and about Thich Nhat Hanh (Paperback)

A Lifetime of Peace is a compendium of writings by and about the Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Over the years Thich has written numerous books for seekers on the path and also for people looking to find more happiness in their lives. This book strings together several different works so you get a taste of a great collective body of literature.

Some of the works in this collection were interviews Nhat Hanh had given with other publications. One of them that could be especially salient in today's world was one titled What would I say to Osama Bin Laden. In this interview Nhat Hanh makes it clear that we have to try to understand a total perspective. Issues of importance are seldom black and white and if we can come to a better understanding of the discontent in someone like Bin laden we can perhaps take measures to ensure compassion. Only by true compassion can we overcome hatred and potentially find a satisfying solution to terror in whatever form it may take. A fire is never put out by throwing more fuel upon it, and only light illuminates darkness.

Another interview that was very interesting was one with Daniel Berrigan, a Catholic priest. Berrigan had been imprisoned for a time for opposition to the Vietnam War. He found a true friend in Thich Nhat Hanh who had witnessed the devastating effects of this war on his homeland. Part of the dialogue between these two religious men is written here for us to read. In this dialogue we see how politics often has a corrupting influence upon religion. One example would be where people forsake their Jewish beliefs of peace in favor of maintaining the Israeli state.

Throughout the rest of the book you'll find a couple of writings about Thich Nhat Hanh from other people like Bell Hooks and also works by Thich Nhat Hanh himself. In most of Thich's writings you'll read familiar themes. Some of these themes are the importance of mindfulness in every activity, the realization of the impermanence of all things, the benefits of peace and understanding, and the interdependence of all things.

I can't imagine anyone coming away from reading this book without a deeper sense of peace. Of course, the real challenge is implementing these teachings within a daily practice. However, this book is a good place to start to get practical suggestions and advice from one of the true masters to help you realize your entitlement to true happiness. Recommended for anyone regardless of religious beliefs and where they may currently find themselves in their quest for happiness.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and life-affirming read, January 10, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Lifetime of Peace: Essential Writings by and about Thich Nhat Hanh (Paperback)

A Lifetime Of Peace: Essential Writings By And About Thich Nhat Hanh by Jennifer Schwamm Willis is a "reader friendly" compendium showcasing a great Buddhist monk's wisdom concerning those paths to peace that all individuals (Christian, Buddhist, Jew, Muslim, or any other faith) can follow in order to bring about their desires for a better world. Emphasizing the crucial importance of mindful compassion, A Lifetime Of Peace is a powerful and life-affirming read, and highly recommended for both Buddhist Studies reference shelves and Religion/Spirituality independent studies reading lists.