Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, experienced a severe brain hemorrhage

[Rihanna]

http://plumvillage.org/news/an-update-on-thays-health-13-december/

Official Announcement

Plum Village
December 13, 2014

To all Plum Village Practice Centers,
To all Practice Centers and Sanghas World Wide,
To our Dear Beloved Friends,

 
Thay continues to surprise the doctors with his strong vital signs and steady, peaceful breathing. They are still amazed that Thay has been able to survive and even to show small signs of progress.

A few days ago, one of the doctors shared that “Thay is an enigma”, and another said they were “witnessing a miracle.” When a top neurosurgeon from the US visited last week, he was deeply impressed by the medical team’s commitment to giving Thay every possible chance of recovery.

In recent days Thay has been showing some indications of wakefulness, but he continues to remain in a deep coma. There have been times when Thay had his eyes open for more than two hours, and is responsive, but he is not yet showing clear signs of communication. The doctors remind us that it may be weeks or months before we can understand the damage caused by the hemorrhage and discover the extent of healing that may be possible.

The medical team has started to stimulate Thay to have more wakefulness. Every day the nurses help Thay sit in a chair, and in addition to acupuncture and massage from the attendants, physiotherapists come to activate Thay’s body. We sing to Thay, and we also let Thay listen to Sangha chants and beautiful sounds of nature.

We are very grateful to the EIAB and Maison de L’Inspir’ sanghas and all the Venerables from Vietnam and elsewhere, who came to offer their support and presence in Plum Village, as well to all the many lay practitioners who have offered your presence, or sent energy, letters and drawings of love and support. We can feel the Sangha body, as an extension of Thay’s body, finding nourishment and healing. Here in Plum Village the Sangha continues with our Winter Retreat, offering Days of Mindfulness, monastic days, dharma talks, dharma circle sharings and classes, deepening and strengthening Thay’s sangha body.

On December 18th there will be a Monastic Ordination Ceremony for new novices, as Thay would have wished. The monastic community will ordain 31 new monks and nuns in Thailand, nine in Plum Village, and one new novice monk in Deer Park Monastery, California. This group of new monastics will belong to the “Red Oak Family”. This event is momentous for our Plum Village community as we continue the work and love of our Teacher. There truly is only continuation.

During the holiday season, please take some time off to take care of yourself, your loved ones, and friends. Find time to be with nature, to enjoy the stars, and the white clouds and to truly come home and be at home within ourselves, as Thay always encourages us to do. You may like to write love letters instead of spending money and consuming more. The New Year is a wonderful opportunity to begin anew with ourselves and let go of resentments and regret.

We will release another update about Thay’s health in the New Year.

Until then, may you and your family touch true peace and happiness.

May you be able to enjoy your true home.


“Eternity can be touched in the present moment,

and the cosmos in the palm of your hand.”

 

TNH, 18 March 2012

 

With trust and love,

The Monks and Nuns of Plum Village

 

[Tenzin Malgyur]

So relieved to read on the positive health progress of Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Such is the kindness and compassionate nature of this exceptional Buddhist practitioner that even in ill health, he is teaching us all a great lesson in developing awareness in ourself at all times.
I am also happy to note that so many individuals from all over the world are putting their efforts together towards the recovery process of Master Thich.

[eyesoftara]

I send my prayers for the Master Thich Nhat Hanh but not because my prayers matters much to him and actually will help in healing him. Any effect is certainly very minor. In sickness, Master Thich Nhat Hanh is giving us a Dharma lesson in various aspect. The lessons, on birth, ageing and death, of impermanence, of meditation and on dependent arising.
I salute Master Thich Nhat Hanh and wish he will continue to benefit all sentient beings.

[TARA]

This is a jolly good news on the Buddhist master after his coma:


Famed Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh awakes from coma, smiles

he world-famous Vietnamese Zen Monk Thich Nhat Hanh has emerged from his coma and may be transferred to a rehab at a French hospital where he has been treated for a brain hemorrhage since November 11.
“Thay [the Vietnamese term for master has gradually emerged into wakefulness, and has his eyes open for much of the day, to the point where the doctors can now say that he is no longer in a coma,” reads a post on his website, plumvillage.org.

Nhat Hanh, 88, is now able to recognize familiar faces and very responsive to verbal stimuli, the site said.
It said he has began smiling in recent days.

“However at the present time Thay is not able to speak. This indicates some degree of aphasia, which is being monitored closely and may evolve favorably following therapy,” the site said, adding “there are plans for Thay to be transferred to a specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic soon.”
Nhat Hanh, also known as a peace activist, has lived in his monastic community at Plum Village in southern France for decades.

He has traveled regularly throughout North America and Europe to offer lectures on mindfulness and peace.
Described as a monk with “an apparently stern face that suddenly blooms into the infectious smile of a child” by Italian journalist Claudio Gallo, Nhat Hanh was a pioneer in bringing Buddhism to the West after he moved there from his home country Vietnam in 1973.
An author of more than 100 books, including 40 in English, Nhat Hanh founded six monasteries and dozens of practice centers in America and Europe, as well as more than 1,000 local mindfulness practice communities, known as ‘sanghas’.

He has built a thriving community of over 600 monks and nuns worldwide, who, along with his tens of thousands of lay followers, apply his teachings on mindfulness, peace-making and community-building in schools, workplaces, businesses – and even prisons – throughout the world.
The work of Nhat Hanh has been acknowledged by several global leaders over the past 50 years. Current World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has said his practice is one "in which one can be deeply passionate and compassionate toward those who are suffering."
Martin Luther King nominated him for the Nobel peace prize in 1967 for his efforts to end the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975.

Nhat Hanh’s key teaching is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live happily in the present moment -- the only way to truly develop peace, both in one’s self and in the world.
Remarkably, Thay, as Thich Nhat Hanh’s students call him, does not ask his Western followers to abandon their religion.

Nhat Hanh has returned to Vietnam three times--in 2005, 2007 and 2008--to meet with Buddhist followers and offer prayer requiems for the war dead.

[TARA]

The above news was reported at: http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/famed-vietnamese-buddhist-thich-nhat-hanh-awakes-from-coma-smiles-37150.html?

[TARA]

The Monks and Nuns of Plum Village announced their beloved teacher has emerged to wakefulness and to be transferred to a specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic soon.


http://plumvillage.org/news/an-update-on-thays-health-3rd-january/

[Shugdener]

It is always very sad to hear of High Lamas and Masters having to go through such pain and suffering, especially that of Thich Nhat Hanh.

His teachings and quotes are a huge source of inspiration and Buddhists of this generation have been very lucky to receive the Dharma from him.

My prayers go out to this accomplished master that he may swiftly recover as soon as possible so that he can continue to spread and teach the Dharma to the world.


   

[Tenzin Malgyur]

Dear Shugdener, I have read that high lamas and masters manifest sickness and diseases as a teaching to all that good health is impermanent and one must make good use of one's good health while one is still having it. To me, it would be a wake up call to start practicing whatever of Buddha's teachings that I have learnt this far.
I also share the joys of many around the world at this good news. May all the teachers have long life and continue to guide all beings.

[kris]

Wow! so happy read this good news! Venerable has returned home! http://plumvillage.org/news/an-update-on-thays-health-6th-april-2015/

To all Plum Village Practice Centers,
To all Practice Centers and Sanghas World Wide,
To our Dear Beloved Friends,

We are happy to report that Thay’s health has continued to improve at the specialist stroke rehabilitation clinic in Bordeaux, where he has been steadily recovering his strength.

In the warm spring weather in the last few weeks, Thay has been able to enjoy going outside, sitting under a tree and listening to birdsong, drinking a cup of tea and enjoying the sound of the bell.

This week the medical team have given their approval for Thay to leave the rehabilitation clinic and return to his Hermitage at Plum Village. We are deeply grateful to the entire medical team at the University Hospital in Bordeaux for their professionalism and wholehearted care to support Thay’s healing over the past four and half months.

Thay expressed his clear wish to return home, and arrived on Friday April 3, in time to enjoy the beautiful magnolia blossoms and the first spring leaves as they unfurl. We are all very glad that Thay can come back to his spiritual home, where his devoted team of monastic attendants are continuing to support him and care for him 24 hours a day, under the guidance of visiting doctors and nurses.

We hope that in the nourishing and peaceful environment of Plum Village, and with the support of on-site physical therapy and speech therapy, Thay will have favourable conditions to treat his hemiparesis and make progress in swallowing and recovering his speech.

We would like to thank our global spiritual family for your loving energy and support. Thay’s journey of recovery will be long, and we thank you for continuing to send him your prayers and energy of compassion and healing.

It has been a pleasure to welcome so many of you at our monastic practice centers in America, Europe and Asia in the past few months as we walk, hand in hand, the beautiful path of awakening that Thay has opened up for us all.

[kris]

http://plumvillage.org/news/an-update-on-thays-health-14th-july-2015/

This is the latest update on Venerable's health condition. Rejoice to hear He is recovering well and has flown to USA for some intense treatment. In this world of much disturbance and unease, we need more great masters like Venerable to spread the teaching of love and compassion.

May Venerable's health be improved quickly and continue the turning of Dharma wheel.

[yontenjamyang]

http://plumvillage.org/news/an-update-on-thays-health-14th-july-2015/

This is the latest update on Venerable's health condition. Rejoice to hear He is recovering well and has flown to USA for some intense treatment. In this world of much disturbance and unease, we need more great masters like Venerable to spread the teaching of love and compassion.

May Venerable's health be improved quickly and continue the turning of Dharma wheel.

I rejoice too that this great Master who have benefited many in the ultimate way has chosen to life longer and continue with His work. I believe Master Thich Nhat Hanh can control his birth and death and how long He lives depends on our karma and our need for him to stay.

We pray that He will stay longer.

[kelly]

May this great master live long to benefits more being we offer our prayers to him hope he can have a speedy recovery.

[DharmaSpace]

The Venerable Master Thich Nhat Hanh came into attention during the Vietnam War, and Thich Nhat Hanh became a friend to Dr Martin Luther King. Dr Martin Luther King nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for the Noble Peace Price in 1967.

The Venerable Master has toiled for very long now, may he create many students who will carry his message of peace and compassion. If the Dr Martin Luther King had not been assasinated, I wonder what both of these great men could have accomplished further.

[kris]

http://plumvillage.org/news/an-update-on-thays-health-8th-september-2015/

Even more great news about Venerable Thay lately. He is able to make small movements, and even able to talk. It is indeed great news. With Venerable's old age, this recovery progress is indeed very encouraging.

May Venerable make progress in recovery and continue to turn the Dharma Wheel.

[lotus1]

Thank you for sharing the rejoicing news about the recovery progress of Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He has been giving a lot of teaching in a simple and easy to practice way and benefited a lot of people. Now he is using his body to show us the impermanent and urge us to use our precious lives wisely to engage in Dharma activities and at the same time let us gain merits by taking care of him.
May he live long and continue turning the wheel of Dharma.