About Thich Nhat Hanh

Thích Nh?t H?nh is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who now lives in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguy?n Xuân B?o, Thích Nh?t H?nh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thi?n) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nh?t H?nh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He is often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm T? (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thi?n, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.