My Master's Robe: Memories of a Novice Monk

by Thich Nhat Hanh, Nguyen Thi Hop (Illustrations), Nguyen Dong (Illustrations)

Zen Master, poet and peace and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh was born in central Vietnam in 1926 and joined the monkhood at the age of sixteen. Written by the author in his late twenties, My Master’s Robe is set in the heart of a peaceful monastery that is surrounded by war during the years from 1942-1947.

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Memoir

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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

[vasi 🏹 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toliko sam zahvalna što sam ovu knjigu kupila baš u Vijetnamu, posetila budističke hramove i barem malo osetila atmosferu ovih kratkih priča.
Jedva čekam da pročitam ostale knjige ovog Zen Mastera 🧘🏻‍♀️

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Master's Robe helped give important historical and personal context to the Thich Nhat Hanh I have encountered in writings, interviews, documentaries, and podcasts over the years. Previous to reading this I am embarrassed to say I had never really thought about the young Thich Nhat Hanh. Most of what I knew and read about him was from the 60s and later in conversation with Thomas Merton and then at Plum village and throughout the world. Reading about him entering the monastery and living in Vietnam during war helped me to understand better the conditions under which he became and monk and how that shaped his practice and worldview. The writing is innocent, simple (in language but not in content), deep, and strikingly true (for me at least). He writes of practice, discipline, friendship, and love. Two things that particularly stick out to me are: 1. the concept of answers dependent on who is asking the question to widen their understanding and 2. the story that gives the book its title. Would absolutely recommend.

[Akshay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book to learn more about Thay after he passed away. This book covers his first few years at the monastery. It allows you to take a peek into the life of a trainee monk and the amount of work they need to put in for bringing values such as mindfulness and compassion in life. The idea that monks just sit and bliss out gets blasted to smithereens. The writing is gentle yet piercing and leaves you wanting so much more. Thay made himself immortal by writing such beautiful books.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming read.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories of TNH as a monk from the start of his monkhood - less abt religion than abt going into this path. Wonderfully calming memoir.

[AP · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Master's Robe is a collection of short stories from Thich Nhat Hanh's early days as a monk in Vietnam. Each story centers around a different person from the monastery and the lessons that Thay learned from them. Overall, the book was a short and easy read that gives readers a little more insight into Thay as a person beyond his teachings.

Some of the little stories I enjoyed:
- Thay's interactions with a French soldier
- Adventures tending the cattle
- Auntie Tu and the love she shared through food
- Brother Duong and the ringing of the Great Bell

[Alan Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually the first book by Thich Nhat Nguyen that I've ever read, but it most certainly won't be the last! This book details his journey to help his fellow Vietnamese Buddhists during and after our stupid war in RVN... which is where I first became aware of buddhism proper by wondering how the remote village people could be living a somewhat normal life within the constant state of war surrounding them in 1967-68! He was just one man personifying the concept of Everyday Zen!

[Mark Robison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only Thich Nhat Hanh completists need to read this one. They are short, autographical memories of life when Thay was a novice. They were written in his 20s and published in a small Buddhist magazine in the 1950s.

The stories are simply not very interesting. The best parts are hearing about French troops — France occupied Vietnam at the time — cross paths with the monks. But Thay tells these stories better in other books.

[Stevie (Stephanie) Rothermel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful view into process of becoming ordained as a Buddhist monk, including perspective on the reasons one should (or should not) pursue this path. Favorite moments included learning Thay’s least favorite chore, his openness to connect with a French soldier during their occupation of his region, and his general propensity for youthful smart-assery with his best friend.

[Thomas Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pleasant Read about a different life

I really enjoyed reading this short book It is written in teach not on usual Friendly style Pictures are beautiful And there is something about the story that gives me peace

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice read. Simple and deep.

[Kapila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of Thich Nhat Hanh's books have to do with helping you, the reader, live your life in a peaceful, sane, joyous way, amidst all the challenges that life brings us. I treasure this little collection of stories because it offers a more direct glimpse into the life of Thay. The stories are understated and full of caring, in all kinds of ways and situations. I only wish there had been more stories in this slim volume!

[Alesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple little book of stories, filled with grace about Thich Nhat Hanh's younger days. He writes of the war, but mostly about small details of his life in a monastery and his friends there. It is always a pleasure to spend time, as a reader, with this saint of a man.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories from within the monastery are simple and clear. The stories take place in a peaceful monastery and share that humanity can take place within the midst of violence.

[Ken French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written memoir by the Buddhist monk.

[Asela Jayarathne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice read. Reminds you to see happiness in everyday mundane things, through stories of a novice Zen monk.

[Linda Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief autobiographical story of Thay's youth as an asperant and novice.

[Serena Long ﺕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! Was laughing out loud when reading this book. Lovely... my ordination teacher, the father of mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic life.