Love In Action: Writings on Nonviolent Social Change

by Thich Nhat Hanh

This book, introduced by Daniel Berrigan, collects over twenty years of Nhat Hanh�s influential writings on nonviolence, peace, and reconciliation. Reflecting on the devastation of war�from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf�Nhat Hanh speaks, in the tradition of such spiritual and political giants as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., of cultivating insight and altruistic love as the basis for effective social action and transformation. He introduces the reader to methods of looking deeply to discover the roots of war in ourselves, in our destructive patterns of living, and in greed and deluded self-interest on a global scale.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Buddhism, Philosophy, Politics, History, Social Change

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love In Action is unique among the books of Thich Nhat Hanh that I have read. It is a collection of essays written between the time of the war in Vietnam and the book's publication in 1993. Many of the essays vary in character from one another, some very topical and, unlike most of Thay's writings that I have read, of a certain time and/or place - but also with the transcending wisdom the reader may have come to expect. The reader will find much reference to war in the early going but later will find the topics varying, including the essay "The Sun My Heart" (subjectively, one of my favorite essays in the collection) which seems like a precursor to 2013's Love Letter To The Earth.

To the non-Buddhist like myself, Thich Nhat Hanh's ideas may seem to exist in a realm outside of the concrete to some degree. With Love In Action we see Thay's words address the very realities of this world in a way that many of his writings do not. And as I finished this book I found that my appreciation of his writing has grown tremendously with new perspective of who he is. I suspect that reading of other of Nhat Hanh's books will be improved for me by this new perspective. Highly recommended.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed book for this time. To focus on peace, love and goodness — this is where I need my heart & mind to reside. I especially love his poem- call me by my true names, where he understands we’re all complicit in this journey. One part of his beautiful poem:

“I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin as bamboo sticks.
And I am the arms merchant,
selling deadly weapons to Uganda.”

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think about this book a lot - action starts in the individual but not in the “go vegetarian, join pta, and recycle more” way, but in the way that love and compassion for humanity felt psychologically can be the foundation for political action

[Elizabeth Lozano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of uneven quality. But chs. 13 and 16 are so well written and moving, they brought tears to my eyes. Thich Nhat Hanh is the best 💕

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant collection of his writings on the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and beyond, illustrating the devotion and courage of his peers and victims of war during wartime conflict and atrocity. Includes works of poetry and prose. If you are expecting a coherent guide to nonviolent social change and specific actions you can take, you may be disappointed; but if you allow it, the truth shines through and illuminates the path for you, which is a commitment to neutrality in the interest of always fighting for justice and compassion, rather than fighting for one particular political entity over another. In that way you can open a true dialogue between opposing sides and stand to effect the kind of change that is capable of being truly transformative.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting thoughts on how to enable social change with out any form of physical or social violence. A must read for anyone who wants to improve the political and social situation of their own community. Many great, perception changing ideas are presented and discussed in this book. Most warmly recommended - also from a political science perspective!

[sushiladybug · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you, thay.

[Nora Murad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unassuming gem of a book starts with a long allegory, "The Path of Return Continues the Journey," written by hich Nhat Hanh in 1967 in the form of a play. Four murdered young men from the School of Youth for Social Service float down the river with a Buddhist nun who had immolated herself for peace. Their conversation about the war, Buddhism, humanity, and the roles of the dead and living are an absolutely brilliant and stunningly beautiful insight into Vietnamese culture and the experience of the war. The rest of the small book includes speeches delivered during the war to US audiences with an almost unimaginable nonjudgmental openness. This book should be required reading for everyone interested in the impact of US war overseas -- in other words, for everyone.

[Bohdan Pechenyak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional collection of Thich Nhat Hahn’s speeches, essays, petitions, poetry, and reflections from the times of the Vietnam War through his years of activism and into 1990s. An indelible and inimitable portrait of a wide and compassionate person working through love and thus preaching what he practices - love in action. A stark embodiment of the bodhisattva values of Buddhism. His message of interbeing, interdependence, the need to wake up, stop ruining and polluting both the natural and the cultural worlds, stop fighting wars in our hearts and minds, first of all, and also in the world, stop causing more pain, suffering, misery and hatred. And all of it delivered without an ounce of anger, fear, or fanaticism. An example to us all.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I vow to read this once every year in order to renew and remember my commitment to humanity, to the planet, and to myself.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

a collection of speeches, letters and other writing. mostly from the 70s and 80s.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first and last pieces of this collection were SO GOOD, the middle essays were mixed

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple yet so profound. This is such a good read, and a wake-up call for myself. I wish the world could think this way.

[Eric]

The that I finish reading is called "Love In Action", by Thich Nhat Hanh. This book is about a guide that also taught you that love can bring peace, even if you have to love your enemies. I like this book because the author talks about his past while in Vietnam War. I felt sad when he talks about his past because the author and his people had to struggle all the way to create love in life. I wish that the author and his people could live in a better life because they struggle so much that they all end up suffering. I rate this book as a 10 because it can teach me how to love in the right way no matter what.

[Pro Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep read - suitable for someone who has had some previous exposure to Thich Nhat Hanh's writing and life. Some lovely examples of how love in action can manifest itself. Particularly relevant in today's world (February 2017).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

i need to buy this one instead of continuously borrowing from the shelf. Somehow this one small monk manages to transform the most difficult questions into answers of simplicity. Each time i read this i find a gentle mirror being held to myself. hmmm maybe the reason i find myself checking out from the library vs. owning this is because i keep reading and then shelving his words both literally and figuratively in my life.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life and is my very favorite of Hanh's writings. This book takes the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, and calls on all of us to love, to action in love, through mindfulness and compassion, toward the goal of social justice. The background on Hanh's life in Vietnam during the war is inspiring and the open letter in this book from Hanh to American Vietnam War Veterans is heartfelt---truly nothing less than beautiful, and very touching.

[Chanita]

Love in Action offers essays on nonviolence, peace, and reconciliation. Thich Nhat Hanh writes eloquently in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. on the need for mindfulness and altruistic love as the basis for political action."
(from Amazon)

[Billie Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

thich nhat hahn opened my heart to compassion and spiritually engaged activism.

[rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegant, simple, powerful. Thich Nhat Hanh speaks profound truth that has been so hard for me to arrive at. You need to read this now.

[Angie.casper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it... Fantastic reflections on our way of leaving, on war, division.... we must work for consciousness to achieve peace.

[Kara Poe Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful, enlightening text about nonviolence, peace, and civil discussion.

[Glen Gersmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

by the great Buddhist thinker and teacher, nonviolence writer, and Vietnamese opponent of the SE Asian wars and conflicts since

[Chavi]

Part of a syllabus on nonviolence