Thomas Merton and Thich Nhat Hanh: Engaged Spirituality in an Age of Globalization

by Robert H. King

Thomas Merton and Thich Nhat Hanh were and are two of the foremost spiritual writers of their times. They met only once--at Gethsemani Abbey on May 26, 1966. "Individually," says Robert King, "they are important, but considered together they may be even more significant. For although their lives developed independently of one another and took quite different forms, they shed light on each other in wonderful and unexpected ways." What binds the two is the theme of contemplation and action. King explores how they came to understand the relationship between contemplative practice and social action in the context of their respective religious traditions, and he identifies the common features in their approach to engaged spirituality--a form of religious practice that could serve as a unifying paradigm for the world's religions in an age of globalization.

Genres: Spirituality, Zen, Buddhism

216 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Robert Harlen King

Reviews

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Merton and Thich Nhat Hanh only met on one occasion, but King is interested in how their messages were similar, and he sees a central message of both men as a necessity for both contemplation and action. Both men were monks, Merton a Catholic, and That Hanh a Buddhist. Most people think of monks as individuals who withdraw from a public world into a private one; however, this was not the case with either of these men.

Both would agree that action and contemplation are both required in meaningful prayer, and that “mindfulness’ is essential to either one. As Nhat Thanh expressed in his ZEN KEYS, “it is the energy that sheds light on all things and all activities, producing the power of concentration, bringing forth deep insight and awakening.” That is close to what a Catholic priest told Nhat Hanh what he meant by the Holy Spirit, that it is an “energy sent by God.”

The interest in Christianity by That Hanh and in Buddhism by Thomas Merton didn’t mean that either was interested in converting anyone. Jesus Christ is at the heart of Christianity and Merton felt that belief gave a more personal sense of unity in the awakening process than Buddhism which he thought was more impersonal.

Each of of them was able, though, to find in another religion elements which deepened the appreciation and practice of his own tradition. As one Buddhist remarked, “what happens in an encounter [between religions] such as this is that by hearing terms from another tradition we bring them into our own tradition. Rather than creating another terminology, it’s a matter of stretching one’s own to take in the other’s terminology.” I’s a matter of looking for commonalities rather than differences in beliefs and practices.

For That Hanh, his initial activism for the cause of peace resulted in initial failure to end the war in Viet Nam and led him inward to contemplation. For Merton, his initial withdrawal from the world into a monastery, led him outward, especially in a quest to end the nuclear arms race. That, too, was an apparent failure, but Merton’s message of peace went far beyond that.

King’s conclusion is that Merton and Nhat Hanh “were global heroes because ther common humanity transcends their religious identity.” They carried on a type of dialogue which revealed both as deeply involved, both profoundly personal as well as in the affairs of the world.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much to uncover when it comes to interfaith dialogue, and these two are exemplars for open hearted listening to the other. Moving towards a richer understanding of the deep need for a full bodied Christianity that avoids the pitfalls of dualism.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the intersection of the beliefs of Thomas Merton (Christian Monk) and Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist Monk). It reinforced my view that there are many ways to find the path to spirituality and God.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 3 out of 5]

King uses Merton and Nhat Hanh to demonstrate the full flowering of spirituality occurring in the twentieth century with these two spiritually expansive monks from different religious and cultural traditions. The books ideas are less new than they purport to be—an "engaged spirituality" has been a central theme in Christian spirituality throughout the centuries. The book is more compelling in its examination of the relationship between these two formidable and visionary men of the spiritual life.