Powerful Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes: Remembering The Revered Zen Buddhist Monk

The revered Zen Monk who popularized Buddhism and the benefits of being mindful in the West has died at the age of 95. Nhat Hanh, known as Thay to his disciples left behind a rich heritage and legacy of teachings, books, and values on the austere ways of Buddhism.

Born as Nguyen Xuan Bao and ordained at 16, Nhat Hanh worked all his life to spread Buddhist philosophy on compassion and peace and dedicated his life to popularizing the importance of Mindfulness. He was responsible for making Zen Buddhism gain popularity and acceptance in both the East and the West. His life touched many a soul and his teachings will continue to reverberate in the innumerable quotes that you can read and enrich yourself today.

Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes

Make sure to check out our collection of Thich Nhat Hanh quotes that are sure to empower you with a recharged love for life.

Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes On Mindfulness

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

“Because you are alive, everything is possible.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ

Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes On Peace

“Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, The Art of Power

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes On Love

4 Aspects of True Love Within Ourselves And Everything Around Us

1.  Love (Maitri/Metta)
Intention and capacity to offer joy, kindness and happiness.

2. Compassion (Karuna)
Intention and capacity to relieve suffering and lighten sorrows.

3. Joy (Mudita)
If love does not bring joy, it is not true love. 

4. Equanimity (Upeksha)
Refers to Calmness, nonattachment, nondiscrimination, or letting go.

“If you love someone but rarely make yourself available to him or her, that is not true love.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ

“When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and argument. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes On Change

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation

“There is a misconception that Buddhism is a religion and that you worship Buddha. Buddhism is a practice, like yoga. You can be a Christian and practice Buddhism. I met a Catholic priest who lives in a Buddhist monastery in France. He told me that Buddhism makes him a better Christian. I love that.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh

A true spiritual partner is the one who encourages you to look deep inside yourself for the beauty and love you’ve been seeking. A true teacher is someone who helps us discover the teacher in yourself.
– Thich Nhat Hanh

“Everything—including love, hate, and suffering—needs food to continue. If suffering continues, it’s because we keep feeding our suffering.” ― Thích Nhất Hạnh

I have the impression that many of us are afraid of silence. We’re always taking in something—text, music, radio, television, or thoughts—to occupy the space. If quiet and space are so important for our happiness, why don’t we make more room for them in our lives? — Thich Nhat Hanh

“Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself – Thich Nhat Hanh

You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Enlightenment Is When A Wave Realizes It Is The Ocean
– Thich Nhat Hanh

We have a tendency to think in terms of doing and not in terms of being. We think that when we are not doing anything, we are wasting our time. But that is not true. Our time is first of all for us to be.  To be what? To be alive, to be peaceful, to be joyful, to be loving. And that is what the world needs most.
-Thich Nhat Hanh

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Thich Nhat Hanh on The Art Of Letting Go
The Art of Mastering Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Four Aspects of True Love by Thich Nhat Hahn