Thundering Silence: Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Catch a Snake

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thundering Silence presents the early teachings of the Buddha on how to see reality clearly without becoming caught by the notions and ideologies.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

62 pages, Paperback

First published September 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

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is small, but deep.

It includes a translation of the Alagaddupama Sutta, which is an important text in which the Buddha speaks about three main topics: 1) the question of whether sense-pleasures are damaging to Buddhist practice, 2) the importance of giving up attachment to all teachings (a distinction is made between practicing a teaching and clinging to its outer form), and 3) the importance of taking the middle way between the two extremes of nihilism (nothing exists) and eternalism (the self lasts forever).

The second section is a commentary on the text, by Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Hanh elucidates the key implications of the text, and shows how it parallels points made in other discourses of the Buddha.

"Thundering Silence" gave me some unexpected insights, and I've done a fair bit of reading on Buddhism. I'd recommend it for anyone with at least an intermediate familiarity with Buddhism. Here's an excerpt from Hanh's commentary:

The Buddha teaches impermanence, no-self, emptiness, and nirvana not as theories, but as skillful means to help us in our practice. If we take these teachings and use them as theories, we will be trapped. In the time of the Buddha and also today, many people study Buddhism only in view of satisfying the thirst of their intellect. They pride themselves on their understanding of Buddhist systems of thought and use them in debates and discussions as a kind of game or amusement. [...] The teachings of impermanence, no-self, and emptiness were offered by the Buddha to help us liberate ourselves from our psychological prisons and pains. If someone studies and practices these teachings and does not find release from attachment and pain, he or she has not understood the letter and spirit of these teachings. He or she is caught in the form and has not been in touch with the substance. (pp. 31-2)

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Thich Nhat Hanh's work, mostly because it's a detailed examination of religious ideas (or the opposite, depending upon how you look at it). But one idea sticks in my mind: regardless of how useful the raft was, allowing you to cross the river, it's foolish to carry it with you once you're on the other side. Doctrine has its use, and then it can cease to be useful to your journey. Don't let it bog you down. Profound.

[Nguyên Trang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Đây là sách giảng giải về Kinh người bắt rắn. Các lời dạy của Thích Ca Mâu Ni đều vĩ đại nhưng đôi khi khó hiểu. Đọc những cuốn giảng giải thế này mới tỏ tường được thêm đôi chút. Văn của thầy Hạnh thì miễn chê rồi.
Bản thân Kinh người bắt rắn, giống như nhiều kinh khác, đều rất sâu xa dù không đi thẳng như Kinh Kim Cang nhưng ý nghĩa tương tự. Với người ngu như tôi thì cứ phải đọc 10 lần giảng giải vẫn còn chưa thông.

[Serena Long ﺕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep! I would recommend it for anyone with at least an intermediate familiarity with Buddhism. The Buddha teaches impermanence, no-self, emptiness, and nirvana not as theories, but as skillful means to help us in our practice. It helps us liberate ourselves from our psychological prisons and pains. If someone studies and practices these teachings and does not find release from attachment and pain, he or she has not understood the letter and spirit of these teachings. "I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life. Dwelling in the refuge of Buddha, I clearly see the path of light and beauty in the world".
With joint palms, bowed respectfully.
Om Mani Padme Hum.

[Magnus Lidbom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The commentary on the sutra contains much wisdom and insight. But like virtually all Buddhist books that study sutras the whole book is structured around the irrational assumption of the infallibility and superiority of the Buddha's "original" teachings. Thus it constantly makes leaps of "interpretation" to try and make the text express the authors current view. I recommend instead reading Thich Nhat Hanh's books that deal directly with his own understanding. The Art of Living is in my favorite. It is no exaggeration to say that it changed my life and continues to do so.

[Ommiolgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of commentary of the Buddha’s sutra on how to catch a name in the wild! Very good, valuable to be read more than once.

Would certainly recommend

[Shee Tsim Nam · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the less enjoyable readings by Thich. But the last chapter (conclusion) gives out all the essences. It strengthens my view that "佛不用信，更不用拜，只要學。" But I really doubt the 'remedy' by a religious means to the DNA in every single human cell will ever succeed. Every new year eve people wish "peace" to the world, but there was no lack of it since history.

[Megan]

just read it

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Sutra.
Hanh's translations/commentaries are invaluable.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a traditional commentary that many of Thay's other books. Interesting sutra. Lots to contemplate--several good lessons on self, nirvana, sense pleasures and Buddhist teachings.