What is an Engaged Buddhist Response to Suffering? | Brother Phap Linh (Br. Spirit)

This Dharma Talk was recorded on June 12, 2024 in New Hamlet, Plum Village France. It is the 6th talk of the series of talks published from the 2024 June Retreat held in Plum Village, France, with the theme: ""Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times: Applied Ethics."
Full Retreat Playlist: • 2024 June Retreat | An...
"In this powerful talk, Brother Phap Linh offers a compelling and comprehensive response to critics who have said that the Plum Village Community is ""not doing enough"" and ""is no longer Engaged Buddhism"". He explains how our ""faith"" can be limited by our worldview, and that the ""awakened way of living"" is a powerful, engaged response to the suffering of the world.
Brother Phap Linh begins with an explanation of the teaching of the Five Powers, in particular the first power, ""Faith"". What do we have faith in as a Buddhist practitioner?
When we are confronted with suffering, how do we respond? Are we able to be with the discomfort of not knowing what to do or how to help? Have we trained our mind to be with uncertainty?
He explores the Buddhist understanding of action, which is present-centered, and deeply nuanced, a field of action that is far broader than ""saying things online"". Is it possible to engage in actions for justice without blaming?
Looking at the arc of Thich Nhat Hanh's life, Brother Phap Linh explains how the evolution of his teaching was a ""crescendo"" of Engaged Buddhism. The choice to focus his attention on creating residential communities of mindful living was a deep response to the roots of suffering in society and the world. Thich Nhat Hanh realized that people are already overwhelmed, and that only when mindfulness practice can give people the relief and space they need, can they have the capacity to truly feel the pain and suffering of others and the world, and then be able to have energy to take action.
This is only possible with deep, right mindfulness - mindfulness as the ""holy spirit"" rather than a diluted, extracted ""mindfulness for stress relief"". With a spiritual practice and spiritual community, the field of action is not limited to material action. Deep, awakened action in one place is action everywhere. "
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[@JWoodf]

Dear Br Phap Lin, it’s somewhere between 2 & 3am on 19/6/24 where I am. I live in a government owned house next door to a luxury house owned by two medical specialists. I will be 67 in a few months and feeling much older than my years but can’t easily access specialist care even in the wealthy city I am in. I am an unpaid carer trained as a social worker and have been so grateful for Thay’s teachings over at least the past two decades. (A cloud never dies). I am also grateful to be able to listen to the talks by the Plum Village monks and nuns. These are such hard times the world is travelling through and I am especially grateful for your talk tonight, your teachings are so very important to me. I will be watching this video a few times over the coming weeks. What a precious jewel Plum Village is to the world. Many thanks to you all. 🙏🏻❤️ 🌱

[@earthpearl3790]

First , let me say I think Plum Villages should take a stand re: the crisis in Gaza and should be also be involved with the peace movement. I’m appalled that Zionist donors are trying to manipulate you by withholding funds. It seems like when it comes to publicly taking a position, you want your actions to come from a place of a truth that transcends the influence of the outside groups. I think you should consider responding to your donors who are threatening to withhold future donations in a similar fashion by asserting your resolve not to be controlled by their conditions and to accept that they might withhold future contributions.

[@Thiscannotbetruebutitis]

For me this was the most helpful dharma talk in a long time. The war in Gaza and all the other wars on this earth are happening in front of our eyes. Plum Village and the other monasteries are a continuation and transformation of Thay’s teachings. Thank you, brother Spirit for all your practice and for bringing this highly appreciated support to me.

[@James-ys3um]

I also found it very insightful for a lack of better words

[@gemmabouwman1098]

Thank you Brother Spirit. For your passion, your faith, your honesty, your courage.....For the deep resonance, the humming of the Universe.

[@James-ys3um]

Ohhmmm 🎉❤

[@23Bentley45]

@@gemmabouwman1098 What a beautiful comment

[@Bee1Luv]

I’m so thankful for how plum village navigates these issues. “Holding this space of peace and making it available to everyone” “embrace people who do not agree” “pray for awakening with all our heart” this is what I hold so dear about this sangha. 🙏

[@wonderfulaspirationofthesource]

This was an extraordinary talk that articulated the heart of the Plum Village practice so clearly. An absolutely beautiful talk that contained multitudes for me.

[@deborahknight4312]

Every step you make, every in breath and out breath is a statement, an offering of peace to the world. Plum Village monastics, you are loved and needed. Thank you.

[@stephaniebenn2202]

Dear Brother Phap Linh, thank you for your tremendous effort to convey this message of fierce faith that walking the path of peace toward our collective wellbeing has real transformative power. I have been dismayed by so much silence in the face of atrocities that continues to degrade us all. I have turned to Thay’s life to help me in my response to this and I will continue to use loving speech to invite others to touch our collective capacity to be compassionate and to take right action in raise awareness and in the hope of generating enough collective energy to stop the genocide in Gaza. I agree that we need a multiplicity of actions right now to end so much suffering. Perhaps this very important dharma talk would never have happened without the pointed fingers? A deep bow for your practice.

[@larryjoyceneumark8540]

What a wonderfully eloquent, insightful and inspiring talk! I plan to revisit it numerous times. Br. Phap Lin raised consciousness through posing many relevant questions, being personally honest and challenging all of us to reexamine our lives. At the age of 78 and, given the state of the world, it was just what I needed to hear. For example, I have long wondered about "naming the stars" rather than simply being with them. Hence, I resonated with the statement, "There is no awakening within scientific materialism...If you look at the stars and you don't know what they are, then you can see them." I continue to be grateful for the Plum Village monastics and their gift to humanity and the world. May we all strive to live "the awakened way of life!"👍❤

[@JWoodf]

These are the words we’ve all been searching for & so needing to hear. Thank you Br Spirit 🙏🏻❤️🌱

[@maren5586]

"If you look at the stars and you don't know what they are, then you can see them." - Even only this phrase would have been worth watching the whole two hours. But every minute of this Dharma talk really spoke to me. So much to reflect on and practice with. Thank you so much.

[@leanh4435]

I’m so grateful for the precious dharma talk Brother Phap Linh 🌻🙏🙏🙏🌻💐💚

[@jwillis011]

“There’s a living Thay right in front of you, he hasn’t stopped….” So true Dear Brother Spirit, so true. Thank you for the teaching

[@James-ys3um]

To die to live is finally in the hands of the common man.

[@andreadadaab6276]

Thank you very much, brother Phap Linh for this powerful talk. Thank you for the courage to talk about the challenges Plum village sangha is facing. Your teaching about Thay's activism related to the stages of his life - so clear, easy to understand, very profound. There are too many declarations without any effect - sometimes i think declarations are made just to gmive the feeling something was done. Imagine the time which is put in to make declarations is used to sit still and allow strong emotions to be embraced - i am sure - am i ? - in this way anxiety, despair will be less. Due to Plum village and Thays teachings my focus is on being as stable as possible to become the one person in the boat who stays calm when the boat is in danger to capsize.

[@TheCuteRibbon1]

Thank you Plum Village, Thank you Brother Spirit!❤ Listening to these talks makes it easier for me to sustain mindfulness. I am very grateful for your work🌸🤍

[@susancerezo401]

Thank you dear Brother !❤ Important stuff !!!!!!!!!!!

[@flowingwiththeriver986]

Words do not do justice to the depth of insight and wisdom in this sharing. 🙏🏻

[@brian-beeler]

Brother Phap Linh always gives excellent talks, this one included. While honoring the teachings of Thầy he speaks about the troubles of our times with his own voice. I believe if Thầy was here today he would smile when thinking about the monastic brother Phap Linh has become.

[@ericahamilton78]

Much gratitude to Br Phap Linh for delving into a difficult topic! I'd like to share this quote by Marshall Rosenberg (founder of Nonviolent Communication): "Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic expression of an unmet need." There are unmet needs in the letters that the monastics received from lay practitioners, and I hear unmet needs from Brother Phap Linh, who is perhaps representing the monastics here. Understanding the needs of both lay practitioners and the monastics could help in bringing more harmony to the MahaSangha. The main needs I hear from Br Phap Linh are needs for understanding (of Thay's teachings on engaged Buddhism and also an understanding of engaged Buddhism as practiced by PV monastics currently), trust ("do you think so little of us?" could perhaps be translated as "please trust in our integrity"), harmony (vital in the MahaSangha), recognition and perhaps more appreciation of what the monastics are doing, and freedom from judgment. I'm a long-time practitioner and I actually signed one of those letters, though I wished that it had been written in a way that was less judgmental and more expressive of the greater aspiration to relieve suffering. Within that letter, I saw basic human needs for: acknowledgment (of injustice and enormous suffering), guidance (both spiritual and practical), support and clarity (what could be right actions?), communication (not limited to a statement per se; "we want more communication about this issue..."), and understanding of the deep sense of compassion that many of us feel for people who are suffering in ways that are difficult to even fathom. I would have written that letter very differently, however, I wrote a note that hopefully conveyed my understanding and gratitude to the monastics. Do I think online statements make a difference? Perhaps it depends. Sometimes statements can seem perfunctory, or judgmental and righteous. They likely turn people off. In contrast, I resonated with the statement, "Responding to War with Love" by Nonviolent Global Liberation (nglcommunity.org/responding-to-war-with-love/ ) because there was so much deep compassion in it, which then watered seeds of compassion in me. Thay's poems and writings have watered seeds of compassion in me in similar ways; and sure, written Dharma is low on the hierarchy, so to speak. It can convey understanding and love too. To me, it's the personal stories, such as those in the book, "Peace Begins Here: Israelis and Palestinians Listening to Each Other," that open my heart. That heart-opening feeling is perhaps what Brother Phap Linh or Thay might say is "The Holy Spirit," that sense of feeling deeply connected. I aspire to listen deeply in ways that can heal. I have disabilities and I care for a child and parents with disabilities. Sure, there are times I feel overwhelmed, and there are also times in which I feel like I am overflowing with compassion. The extreme challenges I've experienced have been a sort of crash course (over several decades!) in how to take care of my feelings and practice compassion for myself. So I would say this: feeling overwhelmed at times is not necessarily a deal-breaker for feeling peace within ourselves / generating peace in the world. Feelings of overwhelm are impermanent. And we are the whole cosmos (kshanti paramita). Lastly, I am listening deeply and I hear you Brother Phap Linh (we met long ago, actually). I trust in your integrity and the integrity of the monastics. I appreciate your insights on engaged Buddhism. Thank you for continuing Thay.

[@ayeayesailor]

I'm sorry this was the response you recieved- I wish this monk had the capacity to respond with the understanding and compassion you showed here.

[@donnathomas293]

❤

[@misinca]

Thank you, Br. Phap Linh ! A really deep, useful, and beautiful talk. Greetings from Spain 🪷 🙏

[@ceciliar8458]

Thank you, Br Phap Linh! 🙏🪷💫

[@JillConnaway]

Thank you so much for this dharma talk. 🙏

[@James-ys3um]

Was sooo good

[@dawnwilliams9524]

Thank you for your powerful and clear as possible talk on something so important to us all. I have learnt so much more about Thay’s teachings and feel relieved that you have shared this. Your practice at Plum Village keeps me going in the UK as I practice my way through trauma from violence so that my children and grandchildren can effect change in the world. I am so grateful to you all for your practice. It is saving me. ❤

[@OHaraMcNamara]

Wow, this was extraordinarily powerful! ❤ As a hardcore rationalist and a mechanicist, and an atheist (as well as a Buddhist, of course!) this point of view is extremely interesting, and provided me a whole lot of food for thought! Thank you, dear brother. Thank you! What an absolute gem!

[@sonjagracin961]

Dear Brother Phap Linh, at the very start I felt the heavy burden, sorrow and pain you carry on your back. Sleepless nights reflect on your face. Brave, honest, inspiring as always is your Dharma talk. Due to Thay’s work we are a better human sharing compassion and love to our near ones and to ourselves. Without that we can not take other steps. With love and bow, Sonja Gracin. Peaceful Diligence of the Heart.

[@rosemarykeleher254]

Amazing explanation of engaged practice!

[@luna03100]

This is a stunning dharma talk. Thank you brother Phap Linh

[@lclark808]

Thank you for this sublime and relevant teaching, Brother Phap Linh. With a deep bow, a lotus for you.

[@helenadavies5525]

I really feel compassion for the pain of those reaching out to Plum Village to do more, I appreciate their requests understanding their feeling of desperation with what is going on in Gaza and it is a desperate situation. I appreciate Plum Village are practicing Engaged Buddhism and what they see as right action, trying to do the best they can for all of us, and the responsibility of holding so much of the suffering in the community. I feel compassion and care for all of us, that we hold each other with peace, faith and love and pray for no more violence.

[@tamitysonwindell934]

Thank you for this brilliantly and passionately delivered homily. I learned more about engaged Buddhism through this talk. Carry on, Brother Spirit, carry on.

[@duh_incredible_dolt]

✌️❤️ on behalf of all, who like me, needed to hear this, in what may be our final hour, we humbly thank you. I hear the voice of Thay in you...the voice of compassion, wisdom and strength. May peace be with us all who hear this and those who don't have that luxury.

[@susanpoulos5611]

This beautiful talk was like a drink of cool clean water in a hot and dusty day. Deep gratitude dear Brother Spirit🪷🙏🏽

[@unetherized]

This talk is a gift to me and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. I've watched it six times in two days. Thanks for your clarity and your compassion and your courage. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@triciapearson7360]

Bravo. Thank you for shining the light on the Dharma, the practice. I did not know any of the narrative was happening. I do not spend a lot of time online. May those who need to hear it be present and awaken.

[@biffycotter3121]

This was so deep, it opened my mind and heart. Thank you for being a voice for Faith and the practice and to live the path of awakening. I am enough, as I heal, awaken and be compassionate this brings these energies into our world. I can be the peace in the face of chaos. One by one we create the peace in which the world so desperately needs. Your talk ignited a peace march in my heart and mind! God bless you dear brother 🙏🏼🫶

[@AKmandy689]

Thank you for this talk, venerable brother 🙏

[@simplycece9160]

Thank you Brother for your deep, unconditional surrender to the moment of the bell. Thank you to the bell ringer for being mindful of all of our collective energies. Thank you deeply

[@user-ni4eu9hp7e]

So ❤ dharma teaching...it traspare all the devotion and love that Br. Spirit has for Thai, his Master...I believe that it so beautiful to have this feeling for our Masters...the need to investigate on their action even if we'll never known completely....An example for the attention we should put in all the relationship in our life...if not for all, at least for the people we loved...I think...I feel -quite- sure about. Thanks Brother Spirit, thanks to all the Plum Village Sangha....and more...🙏

[@shymas]

dear Br Phap Linh, I feel your pain and pray with you for peace

[@sumonamukherjee9512]

Thank you so much dear brother 🙏🙏

[@dianaabdelnour2557]

Dear Phap Linh I thank you very much for the light you have offered in this magistral talk. Hope.the book you are writing now on scientific explanation of reality bring the world some.right vue. Waiting for it and looking forward to reading it. Congratulations because your are already growing while working on it

[@zanettevandermerwe6384]

Dear brother, l bow to you with the deepest reverence and gratitude 🙏

[@Wallyisking]

Sending you love and blessings, thank you for your passion, care and wisdom 🙏

[@shantiragyi6611]

🙏Beautiful, Courageous and Enlightening Dharma Talk. The Holy Spirit embraces the most beloved Thai’s Sanghas around the world, including Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, with compassionate love and eternal gratitude! We love 💗 you all forever. 🪷

[@s.terris9537]

Thank you, Brother Phap Linh. I never doubted "Plum Village", since we interare. I appreciate you, and all of you, practicing alongside each one of us. Deep respect.

[@ParminderChauhan-mm5wk]

An amazing and inspiring talk. Once again i stopped what i was doing and my whole heart soul and spirit when it to listening to this teacing . Lots of love to u Br Phap Lin. Peace in the world and within us .

[@pacosamo]

Again, one of the best talks outhere. Your talks would make and excellent book. Thank you brother. Thai would be proud.

[@phaplinh2101]

Thank you so much for watching/listening. I am writing a book… so something coming soon-ish 😊

[@annehardy5062]

Thank you so much. What you said about the Holy Spirit as an inspiration and about praying for awakening within all of us, really touched me.

[@jeannehatherley6369]

Right on❤

[@claudiamonicasalazarvillav5129]

Dear Br. Phap Lin. Thank you so much for this talk. I really needed it. Bless you, bless Plum Village.

[@gailstuart-ie3cn]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🪷🙏🏼🙏🏼 WOW! Thank you🙏🏼

[@caroledrury1411]

caring presentation… food for thought

[@alanavanderwerker3008]

Brother Spirit, thank you for your deep teaching about how to respond to deep suffering. You touched on so many points but the main one is to find peace in the soul/heart of each of us. This is to help everyone find the center of love and empathy so that we can help effectively. I heard you, felt tears flowing at some points, laughed with you too. You remind us to take refuge in similar ways Thay taught us and he lives on with all of you in Plum Village and around Mother Earth. Thank you for all of us, from my heart to your heart.

[@dorokrautkramer2226]

🙏thank you brother Pháp Linh🛎️much lovely greetings from Germany to you and the Sangha in Plum Village Doro🌼🐉🙏

[@mariagarvey7182]

Thank you Br Phap Linh for your loving, courageous, inspirational talk. Thank you for being peace and showing us the way. In the words of Jesus ‘if they wouldn’t listen to Moses and the prophets neither would they be convinced if someone were raised from the dead’ Lk, 16.

[@spitfire_33]

I feel like action responses could easily end up being ego; especially in judgment. Also, I believe that how we live our life is the best teacher.

[@spitfire_33]

I believe there is a way without pointing finger. Realizing they are unconscious, living life thru their egoic mind, makes me remember "Forgive them for they know not what they do." Where, if I get pulled into their illusion, I catch myself, step back (look inward/breathe). I confess I have commented "I will pray for your awakening."

[@ngwaneso]

Thank you Brother Spirit 💚🙏🏾

[@spitfire_33]

Yes, thinking & speaking too "sure".... become aware of egoic mind, instead of conscious awareness. And yes "feelings" , emotions involve egoic self, in my humble opinion. Perspective, perception, & projection. Observe unconscious "thinking", over thinking, useless thinking over useful thinking. 🙏☮️💓✨️

[@monicaarcher7107]

Dear Br Phap Lin, I look forward so very very much to your book a out the stsrs. Please where will we be able to find it? Very thankful to you and the Sangha for your faith and awe. For how you seek to link us to the imaginative awakes ones in all the faiths. (The anchoress Julian of Norwich! !) For helping us to note the limits of science as it stands today. It is the living practice thataterd not the press releases. Using our lives effectively....thank you, thank you.

[@kristindrijvers3263]

❤❤❤

[@simplycece9160]

It's a different Time than the Vietnam War and appropriate action is appropriate for the Present. I Trust Plum Village and am grateful for your continued Presence

[@chachi7457]

The comments complaining about breathing and pausing… you need these dharma talks lol!

[@ayeayesailor]

Br. Spirit-ual Bypass? I felt saddened and disappointed by this response to what was obviously a sincere and heartfelt request.

[@Frank-retired]

🙏🏿🙏🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏼

[@I-am-Hanuman711]

I couldn't agree with you more in regards to science disparity and the cosmos and it would be nice to have the deepest of soul reflection discussions as I'm sure we could learn alot from each other my friend🌌🙏🏻 thank you for caring 💜

[@James-ys3um]

Going start practicing as a God-fearing, peaceful buddhist!

[@user-ug5ze2fn6s]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@carlaluz9421]

Please prey for carla, jesusina

[@christianedesprat7246]

helas je ne connais pas l'anglais et je n'ai pu écouter cet enseignement , alors que je suis une fidéle des enseignements de Tchi Na Than ?où trouver la traduction? MERCI

[@sohocraft]

❤🙏🏻

[@happytraveller8953]

At 1:28:50 or so, you made the most concise comment with such passion in your voice that sums up the engaged Buddhism is for me, and daggum near brought me to tears: 'it's not about that' when you spoke of others essentially accusing the village of being carpetbaggers and all about the money. No, sir, you are correct: engaged Buddhsim is so much more and it isn't 'about that'. I don't suppose your village would accept a 60+ year old as a sister, eh? Thank you for your wisdom and teaching.

[@slowinthecity7071]

Amen, ❤Amen,❤ Amen❤

[@vipassana72]

👃🙂

[@carlaluz9421]

Please traducir español

[@RoEllen]

💛🧡🩷💜🙏🏻

[@carlaluz9421]

Please traducir to spanish

[@carlaluz9421]

Se ruega traducir varios diálogos o oraciones al español por favor

[@peterz53]

Thank you. Minor suggestion -next time pls position the mic so it doesn't pick up your breathing.

[@23Bentley45]

I love listening to his breathing. I noticed that after some minutes, I was breathing exactly at his pace. That brought me so much peace and joy!

[@regencynovelist]

I appreciated the reminder to keep breathing

[@ezgiguner3105]

So many of us are heartbroken by your skilful avoidance. And what about that? Just the audience laughter is enough to feel so disappointed given what is at stake. There are koans about a cat’s life, now hundreds of thousands of lives are stake and this is the lightness with which we are expected to take it. I am almost certain that Thay would position himself and speak differently, not so defensive, not taking things so lightly. What about our hurt feelings by this avoidant and almost indifferent tone? I’m sorry for being so direct but I wished the purpose of this talk was to make the suffering of Palestinians just a little bit more legible and accessible to all the ignorant, greedy, harmful and hateful ones. Instead I heard it as a defense, one that wasn’t convincing even for someone who has so much faith and confidence in the sangha like me. I’m sorry…

[@jc-tu6pg]

The long pauses and slow pace is killing me. Why do ya'll all talk like this? It's so annoying

[@josiahgill1176]

The space in between is for us to find our breath. Space for our minds to change/space to think over what was said

[@chachi7457]

Silence is valuable. If it is hard for you to sit with silence, you can make the playback speed faster

[@sonjagracin961]

Breathe in and breathe out. Cultivate joy and happiness. Bow.

[@23Bentley45]

It is so sad to live in a society where everything needs to be fast and loud. Please breath, listen deeply; enjoy the pause between words, between breaths,between your steps…

[@letolethe3344]

I'm sorry that you're so hurried and stressed.