Three years ago Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh experienced a devastating stroke. Initially, neurologists did not believe he would survive more than a week. Three years later he is alive, living in Thailand at Plum Village, and regaining some motor skills. Lion's Roar editor, Melvin McLeod, recently interviewed Sister Chan Khong, (Thich Nhat Hanh's closest associate) inquiring about his health and his order. Here's what she shared . . .
On his current condition - "He cannot stand up on his feet yet, but he is stronger and stronger every day. He has started to say a few words, although not very clearly. Sometimes we sing songs like, “I have arrived, I am home in the here and now,” and he’ll say “here,” “now,” and so on. He is making good progress, but it is slow."
On the future of his Sangha - "At the beginning after Thay’s stroke, we thought it would be difficult to continue. Every year, we have a gathering at Plum Village in France for four days to practice and hear dharma talks. When Thay was giving the talks, about twelve to thirteen hundred people would come for them. Now, the same number of people come to hear the talks at Plum Village, maybe even more. So the benefit of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings will continue in Europe, in the United States, in Asia, and elsewhere. I don’t think there will be any problem with the continuation of Thay’s teachings. Many people come because they have read his books. They try their best to transform and so they come for a day or a week of mindfulness. There’s no doubt that Thay’s impact is growing."
On a new leader for the Sangha - "Thay prepared everything in advance. He didn’t want to have one heir to replace him. He said the sangha’s collective insight is very important.So his continuation is the sangha of dharma teachers, the sangha of monks and nuns, and the sangha of lay practitioners. That is the key for us. Sometimes, as a big sister, I might think I have the power and the right view. But it’s not true. We need the collective insight of many dharma teachers. That is one of the dharma seals of Thich Nhat Hanh. He gave his heritage to the whole sangha of monastics and lay practitioners."
On his current condition - "He cannot stand up on his feet yet, but he is stronger and stronger every day. He has started to say a few words, although not very clearly. Sometimes we sing songs like, “I have arrived, I am home in the here and now,” and he’ll say “here,” “now,” and so on. He is making good progress, but it is slow."
On the future of his Sangha - "At the beginning after Thay’s stroke, we thought it would be difficult to continue. Every year, we have a gathering at Plum Village in France for four days to practice and hear dharma talks. When Thay was giving the talks, about twelve to thirteen hundred people would come for them. Now, the same number of people come to hear the talks at Plum Village, maybe even more. So the benefit of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings will continue in Europe, in the United States, in Asia, and elsewhere. I don’t think there will be any problem with the continuation of Thay’s teachings. Many people come because they have read his books. They try their best to transform and so they come for a day or a week of mindfulness. There’s no doubt that Thay’s impact is growing."
On a new leader for the Sangha - "Thay prepared everything in advance. He didn’t want to have one heir to replace him. He said the sangha’s collective insight is very important.So his continuation is the sangha of dharma teachers, the sangha of monks and nuns, and the sangha of lay practitioners. That is the key for us. Sometimes, as a big sister, I might think I have the power and the right view. But it’s not true. We need the collective insight of many dharma teachers. That is one of the dharma seals of Thich Nhat Hanh. He gave his heritage to the whole sangha of monastics and lay practitioners."
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