The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Book Review

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
Thich Nhat Hanh
Broadway Books 06/99 Paperback $13.00
ISBN: 0767903692

In his explanations of The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, and other basic Buddhist teachings, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, and peacemaker Thich Nhat Hanh always brings these instructions down to earth. Whereas we usually think about running away from suffering, he challenges us to be with our pain and to take good care of it. He recommends saying, "My dear suffering, I know that you are there. I am here for you and I will take care of you." To transform our suffering, we must have a big heart. And if we are patient and persistent enough, suffering can even propel us to practice compassion, love, joy, and equanimity — all qualities of enlightenment.

Thich Nhat Hanh examines many of the 84,000 doors to the Dharma, the Way of Understanding and Love. Again and again, he counsels men and women to water the seeds of love within them and not to nurture the seeds of hate. He suggests saying to our friends "If you love me, please water the wholesome seeds in me every day."

Throughout this manual, Thich Nhat Hanh scatters precious jewels about right mindfulness, the art of stopping, the cultivation of joy, the link between letting go and freedom, the practice of compassionate listening, interbeing, aimlessness, and the enjoyment of others as our body of bliss. This is a superb overview of Buddhist practice.