In their profile for the Thich Nhat Hanh, known affectionately to his followers as “Thay” (teacher), the award committee writes: “Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet, and peace activist revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. His key teaching is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live happily in the present moment—the only way to truly develop peace, both in oneself and in the world.” (Luxembourg Peace Prize)
Thay was given the award for “Outstanding Inner Peace,” a category of the annual awards aimed at people or institutions that promote health for body and mind. The different categories of the Luxembourg Peace Prize awarded each year are: peace education, peace activist, peace organization, public peace efforts, peace support, peace technology, youth peaceworker, peace process, peace journalism, environmental peace, art for peace, and inner peace.
Thich Nhat Hanh, 93, was unable to attend the award ceremony in person, but two monks from his order attended to receive the prize on his behalf.
(To learn more about these peace prizes visit the web site: https://luxembourgpeaceprize.org/ )