Enjoying the Ultimate: Commentary on the Nirvana Chapter of the Chinese Dharmapada

by Thich Nhat Hanh

For Buddhists seeking perfection, the Sanskrit word "nirvana" is held as the unreachable goal. But in this definitive, direct translation of the Chinese Dharmapada by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, nirvana is not what you think it is.

"Nirvana is our daily business," Thich Nhat Hanh says. Based on talks given in his home monastery of Plum Village in France at the peak of his long teaching career, The Nirvana Chapter conveys Thich Nhat Hanh's insights on the 36 verses on nirvana in the Chinese Dharmapada. Described there as "the absence of notions that cause suffering," we discover that nirvana can be experienced at any time. Previously unavailable in English, these teachings on the experiential path which can help us touch nirvana are an "instant classic" for Buddhists and meditation practitioners.

With his fluency in Classical Chinese and his knowledge of Sanskrit and Pali, Thich Nhat Hanh is the perfect guide to lead the way to a new understanding of nirvana for an international audience. Through his commentary, ranging freely in his vast knowledge of Vietnamese Buddhist history, we gain a master practitioner's view of a tradition of Zen Buddhism that has been, until now, inaccessible to Western students. We also gain insights into the elusive "space outside of space" of nirvana's ultimate dimension.

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2021

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

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thich Nhat Hahn has spent his life in a monastic setting and as such advises us all to follow suit. The idea that Nirvana may be accessible to anyone at any time is discussed but actual delivery to the huddled masses is withheld, unless they can some how foreswear their lives and live as monastics.

[Femke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This definitely needs a reread or two… or five…
But Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings just really resonate with me and even though he is trying to teach that you don’t have to become a monastic to experience true happiness, I hope to one day go to plum village for some time.

[jennah colborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will spend the rest of my life rereading this.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author points to God, Nirvana, Pure Land ... present. Such words point to an indescribable, unnamable. Nirvana is, Thay writes, obscured by two aspects: afflictions, wrong perceptions - this latter the root of suffering.

One of my favorite reads from Thay. I especially appreciate how he integrated theistic religion and Buddhism - nontheism -, each pointing to something outside dualistic thinking - dualistic thinking being ignorance, or wrong view. He reminds me that atheism (God is not) and theism (God is) are both expressions of attachment to wrong view... - both pointing fingers at each other, but playing the same game. "It is very strange to say, God is or God is not." Rather, the "extinguishing of all notions" is entailed in nirvana, he says.

[Steve Urick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost anything by Thich Nhat Hanh is great. The main message of this book is that nirvana is right here and it is up to us to choose it. Precepts and practice are emphasized, so the idea is not one of sudden enlightenment. I didn't know about this chapter in the Chinese Dharmapada (I didn't even know it was different), and was was interesting learning about it. More that that, understanding the meaning of nirvana as explained by the author is very inspiring.

[TonyTeaCups · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts were really beautiful and insightful, mainly the first half for me. Then the second half started to feel slightly repetitive. But overall I think it helped with me being more mindful of my negative emotions and habits.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

More technical than much of his other writing, but still a great read.

[Pro Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smiling…

It’s possible.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good and simple distillation of Buddhist ideas, but a bit repetitive.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love the writings by Thich Nhat Hanh is this book, the amount that is not from him, but rather is from his student diminishes its impact for me.