Nhat Hanh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh

Exiled Buddhist leader makes second Vietnam visit to promote reconciliation, healing

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/21/...ter-Returns.php



An exiled Vietnamese monk, one of the world's most famous Buddhists, has returned to his homeland to lead mass prayers promoting reconciliation in a nation still nursing memories of war.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a best-selling author who has lived outside Vietnam for four decades, made his first homecoming in 2005 after being forced to live outside the country during the Vietnam War.

Now he is back for a second visit, planning three "Grand Requiem Masses" intended to unite people across regional, religious and political lines.

The Zen master arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday and plans to travel around Vietnam visiting temples until May 9.

Hanh, who lives in France, is the most famous Buddhist monk in the West after the Dalai Lama. He has traveled frequently in the United States, where several of his books have become best sellers.

A proponent of peace, Hanh was shunned by the leaders of both the former South Vietnam and the government of eventually victorious North Vietnam.

U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. once nominated Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Although religious freedom has recently increased in Vietnam, the communist government still strictly controls religion, recognizing just half a dozen official faiths.

Vietnam is quickly modernizing, and two-thirds of its 84 million citizens were born after the war ended in 1975.

But memories of the conflict endure for the older generation.

Plum Village, Hanh's retreat in France, issued a statement encouraging believers to recite prayers from whatever faith they embrace. For those with no religious faith, they offered another suggestion.

"Marxists are invited to recite passages and statements from Marx which reflect his spirituality and his love for humanity," the statement said.

The prayers are meant to comfort the souls of the more than 3 million Vietnamese believed to have died in the war.

Cheers to the reconciliation and a better Vietnam.



Chuc Mung Nam Moi

this is what we needs!

Well done monk, the nest thing you know is those VNCH motherfu-kers will label him "VC".

well he is

go to hell VNCH motherfu-kers.

I always belong in hell

If you labels him as a communist, why dont you label The Pope communist as well? he is doing the exact same thing, promoting peace and unity. Please dont forget that The Popo, Benedict XVI was a member of HITLER's YOUTH.

May Buddha and God bless Thich Nhat Hanh to live at least over 100 years so that he can do many more good deeds for the human race.

^And so he could rub it in the face of those VNCH motherfu-kers.

Your posts always crack me up Happy.

Happy Asian is the only Ghetto Boy whom I respect on here.

He is a merciless shark.

HA,

Seriously dude..... you look like a troll more than everyone in this Chat Room. After 11k posts and if you run out of things to say then don't say anything man. all I see from you like 8/10 is that same old one-liner. You sure get your mouth dirty early in the New Year. talking about "barking" in on the New Year....hahahaha

Firstly I am not using my mouth to write this post but instead I use the keyboard, so my mouth is not dirty yet. Secondly, typing is not really barking, if you want to see barking wait until April 30th . You live in Cali right

We can have a better conversation (I mean we can have good keyboard typing) if we cut back on name-callling and profanity! Well, I think those who protest are no different from some people in here voicing their opinion on things. The difference is they don't sit on the computer all day but they actually step outside and not afraid to be seen or heard. Not like many in here hiding behind there computer.

How can we pray for world peace,when we are having war amongst ourselves in this forum..?

If they truely believe in democracy they should buy tickets and stage a protest in Hanoi instead, the capital of those "evil corrupt dogs/pigs" bla bla bla Oh wait, they eat dogs in Hanoi

Going to Vietnam doesn't mean he's supporting the communist regime. Some commies are just so delusional.

^ What bullsht!!! Every family in VN that I know lost someone or several people in the war but they don't go on and on about it ... "still nursing memories of war" my arse!!!!!