Thich Nhat Hanh’s Concept of Practice: Its Origins, Meaning, and Function in Engaged Buddhism and Buddhist-Christian Dialogue

Author Information

Norimasa Fujimoto, Vietnam Japan University–Vietnam National University, Vietnam

Abstract

This paper explores Thich Nhat Hanh’s concept of “practice” as a possible key to understanding the relationship between his wartime Engaged Buddhism, later mindfulness teaching, and Buddhist-Christian dialogue. Through a literature-based analysis in intellectual history, it examines his peace appeals during the Vietnam War, his reflections on mindfulness, and Living Buddha, Living Christ. The paper focuses on how Nhat Hanh repeatedly uses practice not simply as the application of doctrine, but as an embodied way of returning to the living source of religion. In wartime Vietnam, this orientation appeared in relief work, peace activism, and interreligious cooperation. In his later writings, it was further developed through his interpretation of the living Buddha, the living Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Rather than presenting a final conclusion, this paper offers a preliminary framework for further research. It suggests that a fuller understanding of Nhat Hanh’s concept of practice requires closer examination of his own writings, Vietnamese Buddhist terminology and context, and the development of his postwar activities in exile.

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