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Thich Nhat Hanh, 92, known affectionately to his followers as “Thay” (teacher), traveled back to his homeland in Vietnam on 26 October last year from Thailand, where he had been convalescing since late December 2016. The celebrated Zen master, who has been recovering from a severe stroke since 2014, said in a letter to his disciples that he had decided to spend the remainder of his life at Tu Hieu Pagoda, where he was ordained as a novice monk at the age of 16.
“The Buddhist knowledge and wisdom I learned from Tu Hieu is now spreading all over the world, and I believe it’s time for me to get back to my roots,” Thay, who is reported to be in stable health, said in his letter. “Students of Tu Hieu are now living and practicing Buddhism in many different places around the world and as a way to remind them of their roots, I want to die here in Tu Hieu.”
“The Buddhist knowledge and wisdom I learned from Tu Hieu is now spreading all over the world, and I believe it’s time for me to get back to my roots,” Thay, who is reported to be in stable health, said in his letter. “Students of Tu Hieu are now living and practicing Buddhism in many different places around the world and as a way to remind them of their roots, I want to die here in Tu Hieu.”
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Study can increase knowledge and bring wisdom as well as improve one's disposition, perfect ones' character, and alter one's temperament. People who do not study are unrefined and their words lack luster. - Hsing Yun
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What we are all looking for, even though we are searching in the most improbable places, is infinite wisdom, infinite joy, infinite love. In other words, we are trying to discover our real nature. - Eknath Easwaran
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I have a friend who is a a wonderful aunt to the children pictured in these photos. She has been gently teaching them and modeling for them both meditation and yoga. Recently while on a family vacation, they demonstrated how comfortable they are with meditation poses. My friend is not with them on this trip nor are the poses "scripted". These kids just decided to sit (perhaps very briefly) in meditation. The Vedic concept jivanmukti comes to mind. Jivan means life and mukti means liberation. This Vedic concept teaches that full liberation or enlightenment is possible and desirable in one lifetime. These young people have been given a great "jump start" by their aunt and are "little juvanmuktis" in progress.
(photos courtesy L. Sparkman)
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"A large proportion of older adults are inactive, and do not meet the balance and muscle strengthening recommendations set by government and international health organizations," said Divya Sivaramakrishnan, from University of Edinburgh.
So, he and a team began reviewing 22 studies that had investigated the effects of yoga on physical and mental well being in older adults. The yoga programs varied in length from one month to seven months, and duration of sessions ranged from 30 to 90 minutes.
"Based on this study, we can conclude that yoga has great potential to improve important physical and psychological outcomes in older adults. Yoga is a gentle activity that can be modified to suit those with age-related conditions and diseases," Sivaramakrishnan said in a statement.
The researchers found that people who practiced yoga had improved balance, flexibility, leg strength, depression, sleep quality, vitality and perceived mental and physical health—compared with no activity. Compared with other activities yoga improved lower body strength, lower body flexibility and depression.
So, he and a team began reviewing 22 studies that had investigated the effects of yoga on physical and mental well being in older adults. The yoga programs varied in length from one month to seven months, and duration of sessions ranged from 30 to 90 minutes.
"Based on this study, we can conclude that yoga has great potential to improve important physical and psychological outcomes in older adults. Yoga is a gentle activity that can be modified to suit those with age-related conditions and diseases," Sivaramakrishnan said in a statement.
The researchers found that people who practiced yoga had improved balance, flexibility, leg strength, depression, sleep quality, vitality and perceived mental and physical health—compared with no activity. Compared with other activities yoga improved lower body strength, lower body flexibility and depression.
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Attention flowing to the past is not energy used; it is energy wasted. - Eknath Easwaran
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The Dalai Lama, who takes a global view of events on the plant, spoke to the Russian State Owned News Agency Sputnik, emphasizing the positive potential Russia can have on the planet because it's a superpower.
"Russia is a big nation and a bridge between Europe and Asia. I think you [Russia] can make some significant contribution to the promotion of peace of mind,” His Holiness told the news agency. “I think that Russia is a great nation, very powerful. Recent events showed that Putin as a leader of the Russian nation pays more attention to the issues in different parts of the world. I think that is good."
"Today the world is passing through a critical period. In such a time President Putin should think very carefully, take into consideration a wider perspective and a long-term interest. That’s important,” he stressed.
He also questioned the need for outdated political institutions such as monarchy, calling for a focus on education and democracy on the path to peace.
“A few days ago the Japanese emperor [Naruhito] acceded to the throne, and yesterday a new British prince was born [Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal baby]. I really feel that [monarchy] is outdated. Russian Bolshevik revolution eliminated the tsarist rule, and the French Revolution also eliminated the king’s rule. I feel this is right. All these kings, queens are part of old thinking. In that system, there was too much emphasis on military power,” he said.
"Russia is a big nation and a bridge between Europe and Asia. I think you [Russia] can make some significant contribution to the promotion of peace of mind,” His Holiness told the news agency. “I think that Russia is a great nation, very powerful. Recent events showed that Putin as a leader of the Russian nation pays more attention to the issues in different parts of the world. I think that is good."
"Today the world is passing through a critical period. In such a time President Putin should think very carefully, take into consideration a wider perspective and a long-term interest. That’s important,” he stressed.
He also questioned the need for outdated political institutions such as monarchy, calling for a focus on education and democracy on the path to peace.
“A few days ago the Japanese emperor [Naruhito] acceded to the throne, and yesterday a new British prince was born [Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal baby]. I really feel that [monarchy] is outdated. Russian Bolshevik revolution eliminated the tsarist rule, and the French Revolution also eliminated the king’s rule. I feel this is right. All these kings, queens are part of old thinking. In that system, there was too much emphasis on military power,” he said.
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The palate is the ideal starting point for getting some mastery over your senses. You have three, four, maybe more opportunities a day: breakfast, lunch dinner. No need to talk of fasting or strange diets, just resolve to move away from foods that don't benefit your health and being choosing foods that do. - Eknath Easwaran
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Practitioners who do not wear silk, leather boots, furs, or down, or consume milk, cream, or butter can truly transcend this world. When they have experienced the consequences of their previous acts, they will not have to re-enter the Triple Realm. […]Both physically and mentally one must avoid the bodies and the by-products of living beings, by neither wearing them nor eating them. I say that such people have true liberation.
What I have said here is the teaching of the Buddhas. Any explanation counter to it is
the teaching of demons.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Surangama Sutra 6:27-29
What I have said here is the teaching of the Buddhas. Any explanation counter to it is
the teaching of demons.
—Buddha Shakyamuni, Surangama Sutra 6:27-29
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If a person commits many offenses and does not repent of them, but cuts off all thought of repentance, the offenses will engulf him, just as water returning to the sea will gradually become deeper and wider. If a person commits offenses and, realizing they are wrong, reforms and does good, the offenses will dissolve by themselves, just as a feverish person who begins to perspire will gradually be cured. —Buddha