What Is Engaged Buddhism? | Thich Nhat Hanh (short teaching video)

Many people think...

that engaged Buddhism is
a kind of Buddhism that...

that...

that does social actions,
engaged in social activism.

Trying to help reducing...

inequality, injustice
and so on.

Fighting for more...

freedom, democracy
and so on.

But engaged Buddhism...

is, first of all, a kind of Buddhism that 
can be practiced any time of the day.

a Buddhism not only practiced
in the meditation hall,

but also in the bathroom,

when you drive a car,

when you take a shower,

when you work in your office,
and so on.

Buddhism should be present
in every moment of your daily life

so that you have more peace,

more freedom,
and more joy.

And if you have peace, freedom, and joy,
other people will profit.

You don't need to do...

Before you do something to help them,
you are already helpful,

because you...

you set an example.

And you have the energy of peace, 
brotherhood, and compassion

radiating from your person.

It is like a tree standing in the front yard.

The tree does not seem
to do a lot of things...

not engaged enough!

in social life.

But the tree is doing its best.

It is making beautiful leaves,
beautiful flowers, and so on.

Healthy and beautiful.

And all of us have a hope
if the tree is real tree,

healthy, solid.

Imagine a tree
less than a tree.

All of us will get into trouble.

And that is why...

if we know how to be
a healthy person, human being,

happy, compassionate,

we are already serving the world.

We do not have to go out
in order to do that.

Wherever we are,
we are helpful.

So anything you can do for yourself,
you do it for all of us.

If you know how to handle
a painful feeling,

you profit from that

but all of us will also profit
from that at the same time.

If you are angry, in despair,

all of us will suffer also.

And that is why...

anything you can do for yourself,
you do it for all of us.

'Being' should be the foundation
of 'doing'.

Before you 'do peace',
you have to 'be peace'.

When you are peace,
everything you do is peace work.

Even if you sweep the floor, 
clean the toilet,

take a shower,

everything is for peace
if you are peace within yourself.

And that is why,
to practice mindfulness,

to take care of your body,
your feelings, your perceptions,

your mental formations,

That is the art of being peace.

And everything you do,
will be peace work, peace activities.