The Great Bell Chant: In honour of the exceptional life example of revered teacher Venerable Thích Nhất Hạnh, we offer this beautiful prayer recited by Thay himself and chanted by brother Phap Niem.
Plum Village writes…. With a deep mindful breath, we announce the passing of our beloved teacher, Thay Nhất Hạnh, at 01:30hrs on January 22, 2022 at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam, at the age of 95.
We invite our global spiritual family to take a few moments to be still, to come back to our mindful breathing, as we together hold Thay in our hearts in peace and loving gratitude for all he has offered the world.
Let us each resolve to do our best over the coming days to generate the energy of mindfulness, peace, and compassion, to send to our beloved Teacher.
To join us in this time of collective practice over the coming days, visit the website.
The Great Bell Chant
May the sound of this bell
penetrate deep into the cosmos.
Even in the darkest spots,
living beings are able to hear it clearly,
so that all suffering in them ceases.
Understanding comes to their hearts.
And they transcend the path
of sorrow and death.
The universal dharma door
is already open.
The sound of the rising tide is heard clearly.
The miracle happens – a beautiful child
appears in the heart of a lotus flower.
One single drop of this compassionate water
is enough to bring back the refreshing spring
to our mountains and rivers.
Listening to the bell
I feel the afflictions in me begin to dissolve.
My mind is calm; my body relaxed.
A smile is born on my lips.
Following the sound of the bell
my breath brings me back
to the safe island of mindfulness.
In the garden of my heart
the flowers of peace
bloom beautifully.