Renowned Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh leaves hospital after stroke
9/4/15
Internationally
renowned Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh has been discharged from a
hospital in France
recently after four and a half months of stroke treatment and rehabilitation.
Hanh,
88, returned to his monastic community at Plum
Village in southern France on April
3, according to a post on his website, plumvillage.org.
In
the last few weeks, Hanh has been able to “enjoy going outside”, “sitting under
a tree”, “listening to birdsong”, and “drinking a cup of tea” at the University
Hospital in Bordeaux, the Plum Village’s monks and nuns said in the post.
“A
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,” reads the
post.
The
monks and nuns said they hope he will have "favorable conditions to
treat his hemiparesis and make progress in swallowing and recovering his
speech,” with the support of on-site physical therapy and speech therapy.
Hanh
was hospitalized in early November after experiencing a severe brain
hemorrhage. Two months later, he was transferred to the rehabilitation clinic
at the hospital after emerging from his coma.
Hanh
has lived at Plum Village for decades, traveling regularly throughout
North America and Europe to offer lectures on
mindfulness and peace.
His
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,
Hanh does not ask his Western followers to abandon their religion.
He
has returned to Vietnam
three times -- in 2005, 2007 and 2008 -- to meet with Buddhist followers and
offer prayer requiems for the war dead.
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Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk who has inspired generations of people towards mindful meditation and non-violence
His monastery that is based in the Plum Village of France released this statement amidst fears that Thich Nhat Hanh had died of his condition.
Despite the fears of many, it has been suggested that Thich Nhat Hanh may make a complete and full recovery
he is recovering
New tests have been done and doctors report that he is showing good progress in terms of remaining stable and not having major changes in his condition during this critical part of his recovery.
This has given great hope to those around the world that have looked to Thich Nhat Hanh for leadership and guidance over the last forty years.
He has challenged many people to think outside of themselves and the world around them.
One of the people that Thich Nhat Hanh inspired was Martin Luther King Jr. – so much so that Martin Luther King Jr. nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize.
With his emphasis always on non-violence and “engaged” Buddhism, many people including celebrities have been encouraged to look at the world from a different perspective.
Thich Nhat Hanh travels around the world preaching acceptance and non-violence. He was especially opposed to the Vietnam War and other wars that felt completely pointless.
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