Walking the Noble Path

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh presents the true path to a personal and global ethic in this stand alone chapter of Good Creating Enlightened Society.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Zen

19 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2013

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Jorge García · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us the importance of understanding, empathy and compassion in order to relieve the suffering of others and ourselves.

The noble path settles a clear way towards five fundamental practices of mindfulness

1. Reverence for life: aware of the suffering caused by destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of all sentient beings
2. True happiness: aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to practice looking deeply to see that happiness and suffering of others are nit separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion
3. True love: aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and societies.
4. Loving speech and deep listening: aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating these two practices in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations.
5. Nourishment and healing: aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society, by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I will practice looking deeply into how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition and consciousness.

This is the core teachings if the book. Easy to reading, harder to practicing. As a real good mastering, it requires to be read as slow cook during a whole life.

[Remy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excerpt from the book "Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Society" by Thich Naht Hanh. I think it is very useful that they made this excerpt a short book on its own because it helps folks new to this tradition to ground themselves in the five mindfulness trainings. These trainings seem to be referenced in many places within the teaching of Thich Naht Hanh/Buddhism and this is a great introduction to them. Since it is short, it is easy to go back and reference. There are mantras included in the descriptions of the trainings that are nice to reference if reciting mantras is part of your practice. Lately, I have been choosing one and reciting it while I practice drumming or shaking meditation and dedicating that practice/meditation time to also reflecting on that mindfulness training/mantra. Check it out- it's a very short read! I read it while in the bath.

[Neen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I found the core of it immensely important, especially when it came to extending deep compassion to those suffering and the acceptance of pain and anger in ourselves. Some aspects, though, especially when it came to eating and sex, I found too moralist and judgemental. While I understand its place in Buddhist thought, I think it perpetuates shame and misunderstanding more so than it does comprehension and mindfulness, which is antithetical to the goal of this text.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extravagant

I think that the book is well composed and put together very nicely the author is an amazing human with incredible stories to tell and also teach you by giving you a deeper reading about our mind and how everything works and can be put together to become a better world and how to better yourself and others around you.

[Kent R. Spillner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary of the Noble Path

This "book" is really just a chapter from a longer book. However, it still serves as a good introduction to the Noble Path, in my opinion.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short book, and easy to read, but it is packed with a wealth of wisdom and truth. No matter your religion of belief system, I believe you will find truth and beauty in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh. He teaches that we are all connected, and that when we do anything that harms another, we are harming ourselves, and everyone else. He also teaches us to understand that everyone suffers, and everyone's suffering is just as real as our own. Love, understanding, compassion, self-control, and many other virtues are beautifully taught in his words.

[Leigh Ann Lipscomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful words of wisdom

Invaluable guidelines for peaceful living. Wise and instructive, but not preachy or critical. Very deep insight presented in a simple way that is accessible to all.

[Katherine Parvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read slowly to really absorb the learning

Read slowly and thoughtfully in order to absorb and embrace what is being taught . great short read for beginners

[Coco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro sencillo y corto que explica cómo caminar sobre la senda de la nobleza. Un libro recomendable para todo aquel que desea vivir en la conciencia plena y tener una vida sencilla y tranquila.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

this man is so amazing and has such a soothing presence in his writing. i cannot wait to read more