“Man is not our enemy.”
by Dhyana Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Promise me,
promise me this day,
promise me now,
while the sun is overhead
exactly at the zenith,
promise me:
Even as they
strike you down
with a mountain of hatred and violence;
even as they step on you and crush you
like a worm,
even as they dismember and disembowel you,
remember, brother,
remember:
man is not our enemy.
The only thing worthy of you is compassion –
invincible, limitless, unconditional.
Hatred will never let you face
the beast in man.
One day, when you face this beast alone,
with your courage intact, your eyes kind,
untroubled
(even as no one sees them),
out of your smile
will bloom a flower.
And those who love you
will behold you
across ten thousand worlds of birth and dying.
Alone again,
I will go on with bent head,
knowing that love has become eternal.
On the long, rough road,
the sun and the moon
will continue to shine.
Recommendation
by Thich Nhat Hahn 1965
"Man is not our enemy" but fanaticism, hatred, ambition and violence are." Yet these
"negative and destructive energies or consciousnesses," just as "manure" can be
composted and transformed into valuable materials which can be used to grow flowers
and vegetables, can also be transformed into positive, healing, evolutionary energies
and consciousness, such as deep understanding, love and wisdom which is what
humanity needs to evolve and grow its own consciousness."
"negative and destructive energies or consciousnesses," just as "manure" can be
composted and transformed into valuable materials which can be used to grow flowers
and vegetables, can also be transformed into positive, healing, evolutionary energies
and consciousness, such as deep understanding, love and wisdom which is what
humanity needs to evolve and grow its own consciousness."
"I still remember the time when in my work for the peace movement
(around 1963-1973) I was often accused of not being able to tell friends from enemies.
At that time I and my friends based our struggle for peace on the realisation that
"man is not our enemy" but fanaticism, hatred, ambition and violence is. Because of this standpoint we were condemned by both warring parties. Our greatest crime was that
we saw people of both sides as our brothers whether they were on the communist or
the anti-Communist side. The collection of poems called With Joined Palms We Pray
for the White Dove to Appear published underground in Saigon in the year 1964 was
opposed by both warring parties. It was confiscated by one of them and condemned on the
radio by the other.
(around 1963-1973) I was often accused of not being able to tell friends from enemies.
At that time I and my friends based our struggle for peace on the realisation that
"man is not our enemy" but fanaticism, hatred, ambition and violence is. Because of this standpoint we were condemned by both warring parties. Our greatest crime was that
we saw people of both sides as our brothers whether they were on the communist or
the anti-Communist side. The collection of poems called With Joined Palms We Pray
for the White Dove to Appear published underground in Saigon in the year 1964 was
opposed by both warring parties. It was confiscated by one of them and condemned on the
radio by the other.
The Green Sun
I still adhere to my standpoint of those times but now I have gone farther. Before I
used to say our enemy is ambition, hatred, discrimination and violence but for the
past twenty years or more I have no longer wanted to call these negative mental
formations enemies which need to be destroyed. I have seen that they can be
transformed into positive energies such as understanding and love, just like a
gardener can transform rubbish into green manure which can be used to grow
flowers and vegetables. For the last thirty years I have been practising and
teaching Buddhism in the West from this perspective called the insight of interbeing
which is explained in the Avatamsaka Sutra. Interbeing can be translated into
French as inter-être and into German as intersein. My friends in the West who have
been able to learn and practice according to this insight have been able to transform
greatly and have found much happiness.
used to say our enemy is ambition, hatred, discrimination and violence but for the
past twenty years or more I have no longer wanted to call these negative mental
formations enemies which need to be destroyed. I have seen that they can be
transformed into positive energies such as understanding and love, just like a
gardener can transform rubbish into green manure which can be used to grow
flowers and vegetables. For the last thirty years I have been practising and
teaching Buddhism in the West from this perspective called the insight of interbeing
which is explained in the Avatamsaka Sutra. Interbeing can be translated into
French as inter-être and into German as intersein. My friends in the West who have
been able to learn and practice according to this insight have been able to transform
greatly and have found much happiness.
If you wish to have the insight of Interbeing you only need to look at a basket of fresh
green vegetables which you have just picked. Looking deeply you will see the sunshine, clouds, compost, gardener and hundreds of thousands of elements more. Vegetables
cannot arise on their own, they can only arise when there is sun, clouds, earth etc. If
you take the sun out of the basket of vegetables the vegetables will no longer be there.
If you take the clouds away it is the same...
green vegetables which you have just picked. Looking deeply you will see the sunshine, clouds, compost, gardener and hundreds of thousands of elements more. Vegetables
cannot arise on their own, they can only arise when there is sun, clouds, earth etc. If
you take the sun out of the basket of vegetables the vegetables will no longer be there.
If you take the clouds away it is the same...
In Buddhism we are taught to love according to the principles of loving-kindness,
compassion, joy and equanimity. Equanimity means not discriminating against.
True love is the love which includes and can embrace all people and all species which
are suffering. Whenever we see someone suffering we love that person, we do not have
to know whether they are Buddhist, Communist or Christian. Practising in this spirit I
have written dialogues with Christians and Communists in words of Joy, Equanimity
and Compassion. Books which are aimed at dialoguing with Christians such as
Living Buddha Living Christ and Going Home, Jesus and Buddha as Brothers have
been written by me using the kind of language which Buddhism calls loving speech.
They have helped hundreds of thousands of Christians understand Buddhism, to see
the true spirit of Christianity and to let go of a narrow and prejudiced attitude.
Christians, including priests and nuns, have written letters thanking me deeply.
As far as Catholics in Vietnam are concerned I have also used this loving speech.
In the book Lotus in a Sea of Fire (1966) I said clearly that if our Catholic friends in
Vietnam go in a direction of people's Catholicism and are determined to live in
harmony with all other segments of the people there is no reason for Vietnam not
opening its arms to welcome them into the heart of the nation. I have also used loving
speech towards Vietnamese Communists, especially in the book Dialogue, the Door to
Peace (1967). At that time not many Communists wanted to listen to me but now I think
there are many Communists who read my books and hear my message. I know that
there are many cadres and security police who have had the opportunity to read my
books and hear my cassettes and thanks to that have transformed a great deal of their
suffering. Sometimes I have seen the mentality of the cadres and security police,
especially the security police in the cultural and religious sectors. From the highest
places to the lowest in the government the policy is that Thay Nhat Hanh's books and
cassettes should not be published. For that reason whenever my books and cassettes
are brought into Saigon or Hanoi they are confiscated, either at the airport or by the
post office. I tell my friends over here: "Do not be upset, because the people who
confiscate books and tapes have a chance to listen to and read those books and tapes."
That is thinking in the spirit of the King of the Land of So who lost his bow. But the
people of the land got back the bow so nothing was lost.
compassion, joy and equanimity. Equanimity means not discriminating against.
True love is the love which includes and can embrace all people and all species which
are suffering. Whenever we see someone suffering we love that person, we do not have
to know whether they are Buddhist, Communist or Christian. Practising in this spirit I
have written dialogues with Christians and Communists in words of Joy, Equanimity
and Compassion. Books which are aimed at dialoguing with Christians such as
Living Buddha Living Christ and Going Home, Jesus and Buddha as Brothers have
been written by me using the kind of language which Buddhism calls loving speech.
They have helped hundreds of thousands of Christians understand Buddhism, to see
the true spirit of Christianity and to let go of a narrow and prejudiced attitude.
Christians, including priests and nuns, have written letters thanking me deeply.
As far as Catholics in Vietnam are concerned I have also used this loving speech.
In the book Lotus in a Sea of Fire (1966) I said clearly that if our Catholic friends in
Vietnam go in a direction of people's Catholicism and are determined to live in
harmony with all other segments of the people there is no reason for Vietnam not
opening its arms to welcome them into the heart of the nation. I have also used loving
speech towards Vietnamese Communists, especially in the book Dialogue, the Door to
Peace (1967). At that time not many Communists wanted to listen to me but now I think
there are many Communists who read my books and hear my message. I know that
there are many cadres and security police who have had the opportunity to read my
books and hear my cassettes and thanks to that have transformed a great deal of their
suffering. Sometimes I have seen the mentality of the cadres and security police,
especially the security police in the cultural and religious sectors. From the highest
places to the lowest in the government the policy is that Thay Nhat Hanh's books and
cassettes should not be published. For that reason whenever my books and cassettes
are brought into Saigon or Hanoi they are confiscated, either at the airport or by the
post office. I tell my friends over here: "Do not be upset, because the people who
confiscate books and tapes have a chance to listen to and read those books and tapes."
That is thinking in the spirit of the King of the Land of So who lost his bow. But the
people of the land got back the bow so nothing was lost.
From time to time the security police go on a raid and confiscate my books and tapes
which have been printed and copied underground in every part of the country.
The truth is that there are security police who after confiscating or censoring my
books and tapes (without returning them to the person who properly has the right to
receive them) have sat and read or listened to them all night. They have realized
how interesting and beneficial these books and tapes are and have been able to
transform much of their suffering through them. Nevertheless, after censoring
the books and tapes they do not return them to the people who by right should receive
them. Sometimes they do return them, but first of all they erase all the images and
sounds on the tape. Before that they have copied the tapes, sending one copy to the
Ministry of the Interior and keeping another copy for themselves to listen to from
time to time.
I understand and love them, because they are afraid of being
reprimanded by their superiors and losing their job. There are security police who,
when they have read my books or heard my tapes, are asked: "Why are those books
and tapes not allowed to be circulated? Can you see in the books and tapes ways of
thought which are harmful for the country, the people or the government?"
They have replied: "Everything taught by Thay Nhat Hanh in these books
and tapes is very interesting, wonderful, in accord with the spiritual path
and very beneficial for the spiritual life and the human heart. The reason
why we do not allow the books and tapes to be circulated is
that we do not know whether behind the teachings and practice of Thay
is hidden a political conspiracy or not?" They have spoken out what they
really feel - their fear and suspicion. This fear and suspicion is not theirs alone,
it is also that of their superiors.
which have been printed and copied underground in every part of the country.
The truth is that there are security police who after confiscating or censoring my
books and tapes (without returning them to the person who properly has the right to
receive them) have sat and read or listened to them all night. They have realized
how interesting and beneficial these books and tapes are and have been able to
transform much of their suffering through them. Nevertheless, after censoring
the books and tapes they do not return them to the people who by right should receive
them. Sometimes they do return them, but first of all they erase all the images and
sounds on the tape. Before that they have copied the tapes, sending one copy to the
Ministry of the Interior and keeping another copy for themselves to listen to from
time to time.
I understand and love them, because they are afraid of being
reprimanded by their superiors and losing their job. There are security police who,
when they have read my books or heard my tapes, are asked: "Why are those books
and tapes not allowed to be circulated? Can you see in the books and tapes ways of
thought which are harmful for the country, the people or the government?"
They have replied: "Everything taught by Thay Nhat Hanh in these books
and tapes is very interesting, wonderful, in accord with the spiritual path
and very beneficial for the spiritual life and the human heart. The reason
why we do not allow the books and tapes to be circulated is
that we do not know whether behind the teachings and practice of Thay
is hidden a political conspiracy or not?" They have spoken out what they
really feel - their fear and suspicion. This fear and suspicion is not theirs alone,
it is also that of their superiors.
These cadres and security police also from time to time manifest their awakened
understanding and compassion. They turn a blind eye to the underground publication
of some of my books and tapes. They do this because they know that the books and
tapes have a good effect on the people at this point in the life of the country and
the people. They know only too well that social evils abound, corruption, drug abuse,
prostitution, hatred, children running away, marriages breaking up, divorce, families
broken, pornographic films and books. While politicians and educators have almost
given up trying to clear away these huge mountains of garbage, the tapes and books of
Thay Nhat Hanh which encourage people to practice being awake, reconcile with each
other and return to a pure way of life are prohibited and confiscated. The security
police are forced to censor and confiscate them but in their heart of hearts they have
qualms about it. They do not feel one bit at ease about this policy and that is why they
have sometimes turned a blind eye to the underground publication and copying of
some cultural and moral works. Monks, nuns and laypeople, whenever they conduct
relief operations for the victims of flooding or poverty often slip into the gift packages
a chant or short sutra in the belief that this gift will help relieve their material distress
only for a couple of weeks but the sutra will relieve their suffering and sorrow for
much longer. There are security police who are narrow, prejudiced and determined
not to give permission saying that these chants are political handbills. However,
here are security police who are happy about, give secret approval to and even like
the teachings. We have wholesome roots in our hearts. If we are accepted and dealt
with in a wholesome way the seeds of compassion and tolerance in us will be watered.
If we are always despised, hated and opposed we shall lose that opportunity. Therefore
however severe and unpleasant the security police in the cultural and religious sectors
are, the monks, nuns and lay people who know how to practice are still sweet and
patient with them. One day or another with this kind of treatment they will also have
a chance to transform. A security policeman in Hue was heard to say: "Thay Nhat
Hanh lives far away, I cannot do anything about him. But you are here right in our
hands. I can crush you into little pieces whenever I want." When I heard that I felt
much compassion for that security policeman. Someone who just wanted to perform
some social service for his fellow countrymen, why should we crush them into small
pieces?
understanding and compassion. They turn a blind eye to the underground publication
of some of my books and tapes. They do this because they know that the books and
tapes have a good effect on the people at this point in the life of the country and
the people. They know only too well that social evils abound, corruption, drug abuse,
prostitution, hatred, children running away, marriages breaking up, divorce, families
broken, pornographic films and books. While politicians and educators have almost
given up trying to clear away these huge mountains of garbage, the tapes and books of
Thay Nhat Hanh which encourage people to practice being awake, reconcile with each
other and return to a pure way of life are prohibited and confiscated. The security
police are forced to censor and confiscate them but in their heart of hearts they have
qualms about it. They do not feel one bit at ease about this policy and that is why they
have sometimes turned a blind eye to the underground publication and copying of
some cultural and moral works. Monks, nuns and laypeople, whenever they conduct
relief operations for the victims of flooding or poverty often slip into the gift packages
a chant or short sutra in the belief that this gift will help relieve their material distress
only for a couple of weeks but the sutra will relieve their suffering and sorrow for
much longer. There are security police who are narrow, prejudiced and determined
not to give permission saying that these chants are political handbills. However,
here are security police who are happy about, give secret approval to and even like
the teachings. We have wholesome roots in our hearts. If we are accepted and dealt
with in a wholesome way the seeds of compassion and tolerance in us will be watered.
If we are always despised, hated and opposed we shall lose that opportunity. Therefore
however severe and unpleasant the security police in the cultural and religious sectors
are, the monks, nuns and lay people who know how to practice are still sweet and
patient with them. One day or another with this kind of treatment they will also have
a chance to transform. A security policeman in Hue was heard to say: "Thay Nhat
Hanh lives far away, I cannot do anything about him. But you are here right in our
hands. I can crush you into little pieces whenever I want." When I heard that I felt
much compassion for that security policeman. Someone who just wanted to perform
some social service for his fellow countrymen, why should we crush them into small
pieces?
A True Change for the Better
My children and brothers, whether you are descendants of Buddha,
of Jesus Christ, of Communism or Anti-Communism, you are all
children of Vietnam and all my children
and brothers. Whenever someone is suffering and needs help I have to come and help
them. It is only in this way that we can love in the spirit Buddha taught.
of Jesus Christ, of Communism or Anti-Communism, you are all
children of Vietnam and all my children
and brothers. Whenever someone is suffering and needs help I have to come and help
them. It is only in this way that we can love in the spirit Buddha taught.
All of us have made mistakes - whether we are Buddhist, Catholic, Communist,
the Party or the Government. Because we are so sure of our perceptions,
because we are fanatic and prejudiced we could have wounded painfully our
people, but if we can wake up and know how truly to begin anew we
could learn from the painful lessons of the past. There are security police
and cadres who have made us miserable but with Buddha's love we
continue to want them to have a chance to change for the better, to make
rubbish into compost and flowers, to produce understanding and love
so that their life will be relieved of suffering and we can have more
space to live in. If we are too trusting in ideologies we can bring about great
distress for our people and our country where millions have already died in
conflict. In the past (in 1964 when the collection of poems With Joined
Palms We Pray for the White Dove to Appear was published) I said:
"Ideologies are the fetters of the results of wrong action used to bind
the body of our people." Tran Manh Hao puts it better than I do: "The
paths which are like rods of history which whip our country." When
we wake up and see our mistakes the determination to follow the
path of love and compassion is always the thing we want most.
the Party or the Government. Because we are so sure of our perceptions,
because we are fanatic and prejudiced we could have wounded painfully our
people, but if we can wake up and know how truly to begin anew we
could learn from the painful lessons of the past. There are security police
and cadres who have made us miserable but with Buddha's love we
continue to want them to have a chance to change for the better, to make
rubbish into compost and flowers, to produce understanding and love
so that their life will be relieved of suffering and we can have more
space to live in. If we are too trusting in ideologies we can bring about great
distress for our people and our country where millions have already died in
conflict. In the past (in 1964 when the collection of poems With Joined
Palms We Pray for the White Dove to Appear was published) I said:
"Ideologies are the fetters of the results of wrong action used to bind
the body of our people." Tran Manh Hao puts it better than I do: "The
paths which are like rods of history which whip our country." When
we wake up and see our mistakes the determination to follow the
path of love and compassion is always the thing we want most.
Since I have been in exile it has given me great happiness to be able to continue to write
books for my countrymen to read. From 1966 although some of my books have been
published in South Vietnam it has had to be under a pen name because I have committed
the crime of calling for peace. From 1975 my books have only been copied by hand, and
then printed and circulated underground. I myself do not know who has organised the
printing and publishing. Because of my countrymen's need to learn and to practice there
are people or groups of people who without regard for their own safety made possible the
printing and publishing of those books. The same applies to audio and video cassette tapes.
The former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong has read the three volumes of the History of Vietnamese Buddhism which I wrote and expressed his admiration of it. In the Ministries
of Home and Foreign Affairs many have read my books especially in the Ministry of Home
Affairs. All the Vietnamese Ambassadors in the West have also read my books. I am certain
that many communists have read and greatly liked my books. There are elderly Party officers and
members who have read books such as Old Path White Clouds, Going Back Home,
Peace is Every Step.....and liked them so much. They have felt they have rediscovered
the clear ideal of their youth. I have the feeling that nearly everyone who was once
infatuated by Marxist ideology but no longer has any faith in it, are those who are
happiest when reading my books. Countless people have taken up following a religion
or the Party with all the purity and zeal of youth. However, after thirty years of their
religious practice or following the Party they have felt they have lost a great deal
because they have suffered from their religion or the Party. Such people can more
easily accept the Buddhist practice of Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
than anyone else. They are the people who gain most happiness from reading my books and hearing my tapes. They are very silent and very content whenever they meet someone who is truly practising. However, they are also very unhappy when they see monks and nuns who are
corrupt going in search of honors or sensual pleasure without knowing they are betraying
their ideal of monkhood. Among the young, children and grandchildren of the politicians
and cadres living in Vietnam or outside of Vietnam, many read my books eagerly. In the
Vatican there are many bishops who have read my books. To me it is not important whether
people agree or do not agree with what I write. What is important is whether they are ready
or not to read what I have written. Some people start reading in order to examine and censor
but as they read they enjoy what they are reading because they feel it is benefitting them,
making them feel well and light.
books for my countrymen to read. From 1966 although some of my books have been
published in South Vietnam it has had to be under a pen name because I have committed
the crime of calling for peace. From 1975 my books have only been copied by hand, and
then printed and circulated underground. I myself do not know who has organised the
printing and publishing. Because of my countrymen's need to learn and to practice there
are people or groups of people who without regard for their own safety made possible the
printing and publishing of those books. The same applies to audio and video cassette tapes.
The former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong has read the three volumes of the History of Vietnamese Buddhism which I wrote and expressed his admiration of it. In the Ministries
of Home and Foreign Affairs many have read my books especially in the Ministry of Home
Affairs. All the Vietnamese Ambassadors in the West have also read my books. I am certain
that many communists have read and greatly liked my books. There are elderly Party officers and
members who have read books such as Old Path White Clouds, Going Back Home,
Peace is Every Step.....and liked them so much. They have felt they have rediscovered
the clear ideal of their youth. I have the feeling that nearly everyone who was once
infatuated by Marxist ideology but no longer has any faith in it, are those who are
happiest when reading my books. Countless people have taken up following a religion
or the Party with all the purity and zeal of youth. However, after thirty years of their
religious practice or following the Party they have felt they have lost a great deal
because they have suffered from their religion or the Party. Such people can more
easily accept the Buddhist practice of Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
than anyone else. They are the people who gain most happiness from reading my books and hearing my tapes. They are very silent and very content whenever they meet someone who is truly practising. However, they are also very unhappy when they see monks and nuns who are
corrupt going in search of honors or sensual pleasure without knowing they are betraying
their ideal of monkhood. Among the young, children and grandchildren of the politicians
and cadres living in Vietnam or outside of Vietnam, many read my books eagerly. In the
Vatican there are many bishops who have read my books. To me it is not important whether
people agree or do not agree with what I write. What is important is whether they are ready
or not to read what I have written. Some people start reading in order to examine and censor
but as they read they enjoy what they are reading because they feel it is benefitting them,
making them feel well and light.
The Path of Loving Kindness
Having learnt and practised the teachings of Interbeing I no longer see anyone as my
enemy, and in my heart is a feeling of lightness and immense space. I do not even feel hatred towards people who have made me or my people suffer because I know how to look at them
with the eyes of understanding and love. You may ask: "Then are you going to give that band
of mad, cruel, fanatical thieves and murderers freedom to continue to destroy and make
misery without doing anything to stop them?" No! We have to do everything we can to stop
them, we cannot allow them to continue to kill, plunder, oppress and destroy, but our
actions will never be motivated by hatred. We have to stop them, not allowing them to cause misery. If necessary we can bind them, put them in prison, but this action has to be directed
by our bodhisattva's heart and while we act like this we continue to maintain our
loving-kindness, wanting them to be able to have a chance to wake up, and change.
Acting from a basis of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity we automatically
choose the path of non-violence whereon we make an effort to protect the life of all species
as much as we possibly can. Obviously we cannot be absolutely non-violent, just as my plate
of steamed greens cannot be 100% vegetarian, because when we boil vegetables so many
bacteria die. However, going in the direction of non-violence we can spare bloodshed and
protect the life of all species to the greatest possible extent.
enemy, and in my heart is a feeling of lightness and immense space. I do not even feel hatred towards people who have made me or my people suffer because I know how to look at them
with the eyes of understanding and love. You may ask: "Then are you going to give that band
of mad, cruel, fanatical thieves and murderers freedom to continue to destroy and make
misery without doing anything to stop them?" No! We have to do everything we can to stop
them, we cannot allow them to continue to kill, plunder, oppress and destroy, but our
actions will never be motivated by hatred. We have to stop them, not allowing them to cause misery. If necessary we can bind them, put them in prison, but this action has to be directed
by our bodhisattva's heart and while we act like this we continue to maintain our
loving-kindness, wanting them to be able to have a chance to wake up, and change.
Acting from a basis of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity we automatically
choose the path of non-violence whereon we make an effort to protect the life of all species
as much as we possibly can. Obviously we cannot be absolutely non-violent, just as my plate
of steamed greens cannot be 100% vegetarian, because when we boil vegetables so many
bacteria die. However, going in the direction of non-violence we can spare bloodshed and
protect the life of all species to the greatest possible extent.
In a struggle against a foreign invasion, all activities in the fields of information, culture and education aimed at purposefully creating trust, unification of the whole people, carrying out
a policy of non-co-operation with the invaders can be directed wholly in the spirit of openness, tolerance and non-violence. If we succeed in these fields the military only need play a very
small role. Even if we are forced to use military strength, we can still act in the spirit of
non-violence, sparing bloodshed as much as is possible; the bloodshed of our people and of
the invaders. So, the military can also practice loving-kindness and compassion as can moral leaders, statesmen and humanists. The great military victory of the Tran era (14th C.) against the invasions of the Mongols was largely possible because of the work of moral leadership, statesmanship and culture of the Tran era. The military factor is not the only factor which
leads to success. The movement for democratic rights in the time of Mr. Diem was the same, the army only played a concluding role which, though necessary, was very minor. Whether our
country and people, having come out of this difficult period, make progress or not depends
on whether or not we know how to practice in order to give up discrimination and hatred.
If we call for unification but continue to discriminate against each other, hate and eliminate
each other, when can there be true unification? To be able to look well in order to see that
the other person is also our brother or sister and not to try and find ways to remove that
person from our daily life is the learning and practice we all have to undertake, whether we
are Buddhist or not. Some people are amiable, some are difficult and some are very difficult. However if we are a descendant of the Buddha we have to try to love everyone according to
the principle "Man is not our enemy". Our enemy is not our enemy or, in other words, the
person who hates us is not the person we hate. We do not have enemies. If we can see that and act according to that, when at last we lie down and close our eyes we shall be able to smile.
a policy of non-co-operation with the invaders can be directed wholly in the spirit of openness, tolerance and non-violence. If we succeed in these fields the military only need play a very
small role. Even if we are forced to use military strength, we can still act in the spirit of
non-violence, sparing bloodshed as much as is possible; the bloodshed of our people and of
the invaders. So, the military can also practice loving-kindness and compassion as can moral leaders, statesmen and humanists. The great military victory of the Tran era (14th C.) against the invasions of the Mongols was largely possible because of the work of moral leadership, statesmanship and culture of the Tran era. The military factor is not the only factor which
leads to success. The movement for democratic rights in the time of Mr. Diem was the same, the army only played a concluding role which, though necessary, was very minor. Whether our
country and people, having come out of this difficult period, make progress or not depends
on whether or not we know how to practice in order to give up discrimination and hatred.
If we call for unification but continue to discriminate against each other, hate and eliminate
each other, when can there be true unification? To be able to look well in order to see that
the other person is also our brother or sister and not to try and find ways to remove that
person from our daily life is the learning and practice we all have to undertake, whether we
are Buddhist or not. Some people are amiable, some are difficult and some are very difficult. However if we are a descendant of the Buddha we have to try to love everyone according to
the principle "Man is not our enemy". Our enemy is not our enemy or, in other words, the
person who hates us is not the person we hate. We do not have enemies. If we can see that and act according to that, when at last we lie down and close our eyes we shall be able to smile.
-Promise me,
promise me this day,
promise me now,
while the sun is overhead
exactly at the zenith,
promise me:
Even as they
strike you down
with a mountain of hatred and violence;
even as they step on you and crush you
like a worm,
even as they dismember and disembowel you,
remember, brother,
remember:
man is not our enemy.
The only thing worthy of you is compassion –
invincible, limitless, unconditional.
Hatred will never let you face
the beast in man.
One day, when you face this beast alone,
with your courage intact, your eyes kind,
untroubled
(even as no one sees them),
out of your smile
will bloom a flower.
And those who love you
will behold you
across ten thousand worlds of birth and dying.
Alone again,
I will go on with bent head,
knowing that love has become eternal.
On the long, rough road,
the sun and the moon
will continue to shine.
promise me this day,
promise me now,
while the sun is overhead
exactly at the zenith,
promise me:
Even as they
strike you down
with a mountain of hatred and violence;
even as they step on you and crush you
like a worm,
even as they dismember and disembowel you,
remember, brother,
remember:
man is not our enemy.
The only thing worthy of you is compassion –
invincible, limitless, unconditional.
Hatred will never let you face
the beast in man.
One day, when you face this beast alone,
with your courage intact, your eyes kind,
untroubled
(even as no one sees them),
out of your smile
will bloom a flower.
And those who love you
will behold you
across ten thousand worlds of birth and dying.
Alone again,
I will go on with bent head,
knowing that love has become eternal.
On the long, rough road,
the sun and the moon
will continue to shine.
Recommendation
by Thich Nhat Hahn 1965
This poem is presented in honor of all people who struggle for freedom. The young
Vietnamese monastics from the Bat Nha Monastary, who practice in the tradition of
Thich Nhat Hanh, have requested World Prayers' support of their cause for religious freedom. We encourage all our visitors to learn more by watching this short video,Prayers for Bat Nha.-Thich Nhat Hahn
This poem is presented in honor of all people who struggle for freedom. The young
Vietnamese monastics from the Bat Nha Monastary, who practice in the tradition of
Thich Nhat Hanh, have requested World Prayers' support of their cause for religious freedom. We encourage all our visitors to learn more by watching this short video,Prayers for Bat Nha.-Thich Nhat Hahn
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