Thich Nhat Hanh Healing in Vietnam The Wonderful World of Gathas

mindfulness BELLA Journal of the Art of Mindful Livingin the Tradition of Thich Nhat HanhPublished by Plum VillageIssue 45 Summer 2007Advisor and EditorManaging EditorAssociate EditorDesignProofreaderSubscriptions & AdvertisingWebsite DesignWebmasterAdvisory BoardSister AnnabelJanelle CombelicJudith ToyLuminArtsElaine HildDavid PercivalLien HoBrandy SacksThay Phap KhamRichard BradyJerry BrazaBarbara CaseyMatt ShermanPeggy Rowe WardWriting Submissions: Please send us the fruits ofyour practice. We welcome feature articles (1,500 to2,500 words), essays, and stories, as well as poetry. Weespecially welcome submissions from young people ofany age.Art & Photo Submissions: We welcome photos, artwork,and cartoons from your local sangha, family, andcommunity. Please send digital images as TIFF or JPEGfiles no larger than 1 MB. We can promptly return all originalssent by mail.Send submissions via e-mail to editor@mindfulnessbell.org or by mail to Mindfulness Bell, 745 Cagua S.E., Albuquerque,NM 87108, U.S.A.Advertising Inquiries and Subscriptions: ads@mindfulnessbell.org, subs@mindfulnessbell.org. orDavid Percival, 745 Cagua S.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108,U.S.A.The Mindfulness Bell is published three times a year bythe Community of Mindful Living, Deer Park Monastery,2499 Melru Lane, Escondido CA 92026, U.S.A.On the cover: Tantric fire dancer performs during GreatRequiem Ceremony at Chua Non Temple in Hanoi, while ThayPhap An and Sister Chan Khong stand on the sides,photo by David NelsonDear Thây, dear Sangha,The Buddha taught the natureof interbeing. In our own timescientists have discovered thenon-local nature of elementaryparticles. We feel in our daily livesthat one nation is deeply connectedto all nations of the world — we call this globalization. As Thay travelsthe world we feel the appropriateness of this way of teaching.Thay goes to Vietnam and whether we stay behind in the U.S. or buyan air ticket to join the Plum Village delegation in Vietnam, we share inthe karma of Thay and Vietnam.The Grand Offering Ceremonies Bringing Relief without Discriminationfrom Past Injustice taking place in Vietnam during Thay’s visit arecertainly very grand and powerful. Here at home we can set up our ownlittle altar and gather as a family or sangha to read the Five MindfulnessTrainings for the souls of those who laid down their lives willingly andunwillingly during, or as a result of, the war in Vietnam four decadesago. The souls find relief in our own home although it may be far fromVietnam because they are non-local and our commitment to practicesila, the mindfulness trainings, is strengthened. As we gather before thealtar our compassion is aroused for beings who are visible or invisible,already born or yet to be born, alive or departed. Here in the U.S. wehave our role to play in practicing the mindfulness trainings, so that thetremendous inequity that lies between developing countries like Vietnamand over-developed countries can be redressed.Still, in developing countries material development is already damagingthe spiritual and moral dimension of life as it has done in the overdevelopedcountries. With the destruction of this dimension the familybreaks up because communication breaks down. Sila no longer has itsplace. The three spiritual powers — putting an end to the mental poisons,understanding, and love — give way to worldly and material power.Globally we need a practice of redeeming the three spiritual powers; thisis what Thay is teaching in Vietnam and teaching the whole world.We are praying that in August we shall have enough good merit toreceive Thay in the U.S. so that Thay can encourage us and show us howto develop the spiritual and moral dimensions and powers in our ownlives.On a local level the Maple Forest Monastery of Vermont will moveto the Blue Cliff Monastery of New York at the beginning of May. Wehope to see you there in a spacious, beautiful, and comfortable setting atour opening (June 2), Wesak (June 3), OI Retreat (June 29, if you are anordained OI member), or at our Summer Opening (July 6-20, for anyonewho cares to come). Thay has given us the name Blue Cliff, so that wecan work on the koan of our life: the koan that has practical meaning interms of our everyday suffering and obstacles. (The Blue Cliff Monasteryin China is the monastery where the most famous record of koans wascompiled in the 12th century.)May the monks and nuns of Maple Forest take this opportunity tothank all of you who are so generously supporting the purchase of thismonastery with your material and spiritual support.Sister Annabel, True Virtue2 Summer 2007