Thich Nhat Hanh Recovery Possible
Well known Buddhist monk and teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, remains hospitalized after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage Tuesday. The 88-year-old Zen master who has been influencing people’s lives since the Vietnam War era is receiving around the clock care at a hospital in western France. Despite the severity of the brain hemorrhage and his advanced age, Plum Village reported that he is “still very responsive” and that “there are signs that a full recovery is still possible.”
Thich Nhat Hanh is known for many things, mostly for bringing Buddhism to the West, founding six monasteries and even more practice centers all throughout America and Europe. He has written over 100 works on meditation, mindfulness, Engaged Buddhism, poems, children’s stories, and commentaries on Buddhist texts. He traveled to America during the Vietnam War sharing a message of peace and urging an end to all hostilities in Vietnam, his home country. He even met with famed fellow peace activist, Martin Luther King, Jr., who referred to Thich Nhat Hanh as “an apostle of peace and nonviolence.”
Plum Village, one of the many monasteries that Thich Nhat Hanh established and also one of his main residences in France, has been keeping the public up-to-date on any changes in his health. In their official report, they let the public know that he had been experiencing a decline in health due to old age and had already been in the hospital since November 1, before the brain hemorrhage occurred.
Thich Nhat Hanh has been making an impact for over 50 years and has made an impression on great multitudes of people including author and Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg. Salzberg reported to The Huffington Post that his dire health situation “should compel the others to continuing striving to improve themselves through service“. Other famous spiritual leaders have spoken up about Thich Nhat Hanh’s health, like author and speaker Marianne Williamson sending “prayers and healing.”
Word from Plum Village that Thich Nhat Hanh has had a severe brain hemorrhage. Prayers for the healing and full… http://t.co/28bvkrcoPs
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) November 12, 2014
Even from a hospital bed it seems that he is still teaching those willing to learn. He is being quoted all over the Internet, spreading his message of peace, service, and mindfulness. Plum Village has asked that in order to help Thich Nhat Hanh or “Thay,” the Vietnamese term meaning “teacher,” heal that people meditate and “send Thay this healing and loving energy.” Our thoughts are with Thich Nhat Hanh at this time hoping for a full recovery so he can continue teaching us all how to live a better life.
[Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia]
