Thich Nhat Hanh, the late Vietnamese Zen master, is well-known for his peace activism, teachings on interbeing, and the social movement of engaged Buddhism. No less significant, however, is his prowess as a writer, poet, and literary scholar. The world-renowned monk, whose students called him Thay, wrote over 100 books, served as editor-in-chief of Vietnam’s first national Buddhist magazine, and wrote under twenty-eight pen names. Under his own name, he wrote poetry.

In honor of Thay’s 100th continuation day, scholar Adrienne Minh-Châu Lê, who is currently writing Thay’s biography, will tell us more about the Zen master’s literary legacy. (Thay used the term “continuation day” instead of birthday to reflect the Zen teaching that there is no birth and no death.) How did his writing evolve, and what ideas crystallized in the process? What themes run through his poetry and how did writing help him to connect with people all over the world? How did he use different voices to reach different audiences? Join us on Tuesday, October 13 for a discussion and selection of readings.

This event is free with an option to make a donation.