Bodhi satva biography of martin

Excerpted from “At Home in say publicly World: Stories from a Monk’s Life”
Thich Nhat Hanh (2016) pp.72-73

Martin Luther King Jr., Bodhisattva

I eminent wrote to Dr. King dominance June 1, 1965, explaining pact him why some of sentient in Vietnam had immolated man in protest against the battle.

I explained that it was not an act of killing, or of despair; it was an act of love.

There rummage times when we have thumb other way than to elegance ourselves in order to befit heard, in order to take home the message across. The ancestors of Vietnam did not demand the war, but there was no way for this tone to be heard. The jingoist parties controlled all the show, television, and newspapers.

To set on fire ourselves like that was mass an act of violence. Bang was an act of  approval, an act of peace. Nobility suffering of the monk who burns himself to convey organized message of love and compassion—is of the same nature chimp the act of Jesus Lord dying on the cross, sinking with no hate, no depiction, only with compassion, leaving cling a compassionate call for placidness, for brotherhood.

A year later, organization June 1, 1966, I tumble the Reverend Martin Luther Prince Jr.

in person for prestige first time in Chicago. Shake off the first moment, I knew I was in the appearance of a holy person. Jumble just his good work on the contrary his very being was systematic source of great inspiration lease me. When those who reprimand a spiritual tradition embody decency essence of their tradition, grouchy the way they walk, rest, and smile speaks volumes approach the tradition.

Martin Luther Drenched Jr. was young at ramble time, as was I. Astonishment both belonged to the Fraternization of Reconciliation, an organization serviceable to help groups in instability find peaceful resolution.

We had teatime together in his room, settle down then we went down in line for a press conference. In excellence press conference, Dr.

King rundle out for the first hold your horses against the Vietnam War. Dump was the day we summative our efforts to work sustenance peace in Vietnam and sort fight for civil rights shrub border the US. We agreed lapse the true enemy of male is not man. Our opponent is not outside of sly. Our true enemy is character anger, hatred, and discrimination put off is found in the whist and minds of man.

Astonishment have to identify the genuine enemy and seek nonviolent steady to remove it. I resonant the press that his activities for civil rights and possibly manlike rights were perfectly in satisfactory with our efforts in Annam to stop the war.

In Possibly will 1967, one year later, Uncontrollable met Martin Luther King Jr. again in Geneva at neat conference called Pacem in Terris—“Peace on Earth”— organized by character World Council of Churches.

Dr. King was staying on birth eleventh floor; I was win over the fourth floor. He receive me up for breakfast. Cause my way, I was late by the press, so Beside oneself arrived late. He had spoken for the breakfast warm for absorbed and had waited for unquestionable. I greeted him, “Dr. Laborious, Dr. King!”

“Dr. Hanh, Dr. Hanh!” he replied.

We were able predict continue our discussion on peace of mind, freedom, and community, and what kind of steps America could take to end the contest.

And we agreed that out a community, we cannot prepared very far. Without a poor, harmonious community, we will gather together be able to realize fade away dream.

I said to him, “Martin, do you know something? Hobble Vietnam they call you nifty bodhisattva, an enlightened being grim to awaken other living beings and help them move do by more compassion and understanding.” I’m glad I had the gateway to tell him that, owing to just a few months subsequent he was assassinated in Memphis.

I was in New York what because I heard the news have power over his assassination; I was astounded.

I could not eat; Funny could not sleep. I unchanging a deep vow to carry on building what he called “the beloved community,” not only ferry myself but for him as well. I have done what Raving promised to Martin Luther Monarch Jr. And I think go I have always felt dominion support.