Resilience in Moderation

During the Vietnam War, Buddhist monks were horrified by the increasing violence between the North and South. The engagement of other countries in the Vietnam War did not ease their worries since Buddhists practiced a nonviolent approach to conflict. As some monks and activists resorted to intense practices such as live burnings and extended fasting periods to bring awareness to the violence, others fled from Vietnam and sought to establish practices in other areas of the world. Thích Nhất Hạnh was one of these activists who, after being banned from Vietnam for speaking out against violence, established numerous monasteries in his pursuit of spreading awareness of the war and embracing nonviolent, peaceful practices. His mindset of everything in “moderation” illustrates the importance of remaining passionate against a certain cause without letting passion turn to violence. His most notable monasteries are Plum Village Monastery in France and Deer Park Monastery in the United States. Known for his soft-spoken nature and wisdom, he received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from one of America’s most celebrated activists, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

My family visits this monastery a few times a year to practice the teachings of Thích Nhất Hạnh and spend time with extended relatives or distant friends from the Buddhist community. Although the majority of those who attend Deer Park Monastery to practice mindfulness are of Vietnamese descent, the monastery is open to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or cultural background. The monastery achieves this by taking on a more general way of teaching, where they use various exercises to express how the ideals of nonviolence can be incorporated and practiced not only through Buddhism, but also through other religions. These exercises include eating in silence, walking in silence, and meditating in silence while sticking with the group throughout the entire day.  

Despite the significant contributions made by Vietnamese American soldiers, caretakers, and workers during the Vietnam War, their efforts were largely overlooked by the American government. However, rather than harboring resentment and frustration, our community members choose to prioritize maintaining a healthy relationship with their culture. This nonviolent approach is what led to the resilience of the Vietnamese American communities that we see today, including those at Deer Park Monastery. Practicing mindfulness and awareness of our emotions rather than resorting to violence helps us persevere through hardships and maintain unity within our communities. By allowing our beliefs to flow fluidly through multiple communities rather than rejecting the beliefs we view as threats, we can allow our traditions to become more accessible to diverse groups of people.