To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion.
Thich Nhat Hanh

With the Eyes of Compassion
Topic: Love, Compassion, & Kindness
The root-word “budh” means to wake up, to know, to understand. A person who wakes up and understands is called a Buddha. It is as simple as that. The capacity to wake up, to understand, and to love is called Buddha nature…
When you understand, you cannot help but love… To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion. When you understand, you love. And when you love, you naturally act in a way that can relieve the suffering of people.
Early Life and Education: Thich Nhat Hanh was born on October 11, 1926, in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Vietnam. At the age of 16, he entered the monastery at nearby Từ Hiếu Temple, where he was ordained as a monk. He then went on to study both Vietnamese traditions of Buddhism and Western philosophy at the Báo Quốc Buddhist Academy and the University of Saigon. His synthesis of Eastern and Western thought led him to develop a unique approach to mindfulness and Zen practice, which he shared with people from different walks of life.
Activism and Teachings: During the Vietnam War, Thich Nhat Hanh was a strong advocate for peace and reconciliation. He founded the School of Youth for Social Service, training young activists in Buddhist principles and nonviolent resistance. His efforts to end the violence and his calls for peace drew international attention. Martin Luther King Jr. nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. Thich Nhat Hanh authored numerous books, teaching mindfulness and compassion, and founded the Plum Village Tradition, a network of monasteries and practice centers around the world.
Later Life and Legacy: In his later years, Thich Nhat Hanh continued to travel, write, and teach, spreading the message of mindfulness and love. He suffered a severe stroke in 2014 that limited his ability to communicate but remained an inspiring figure. After spending some years in France at Plum Village, he returned to Vietnam in 2018 to spend his remaining years at his root temple, Từ Hiếu. Thich Nhat Hanh passed away on January 22, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of profound teachings that continue to inspire individuals and communities across the globe to live with understanding, compassion, and interconnectedness. His life's work serves as a beacon for those seeking a path of peace and love in the world.
Being Peace
Hạnh Thich Nhất. Being Peace. Edited by Rachel Neumann, Parallax Press, 1987 [Thich Nhất Hạnh, Being Peace] pp. 18, 21-24.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Theme: Compassion
About This Thich Nhat Hanh Quote [Commentary]
Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that true understanding comes from seeing with the eyes of compassion. “To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion.” He explains that the root of the word “Buddha” means “to wake up,” and that awakening includes both understanding and love. When one truly sees another without judgment, recognizing their suffering and shared humanity, compassion arises naturally. This way of seeing is not passive but an active practice that nurtures wisdom and care.
“When you understand, you love,” he continues, showing that real understanding transforms how we relate to others. Meditation and mindfulness help cultivate this clarity, allowing people to remain steady even in difficult times. He teaches that this practice of looking deeply can dissolve fear and resentment, opening the way for connection. Rather than being trapped by personal suffering, one becomes present to the suffering of others, responding with kindness instead of reaction.
With understanding and love comes action. “When you love, you naturally act in a way that can relieve the suffering of people.” Compassion is not just a feeling but a way of being that moves people to care for one another. Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that in times of hardship, even one person’s calm presence can bring clarity and peace. By embodying understanding in daily life, individuals can help create a world where suffering is met with love, and love leads to meaningful change.
Richard Rohr, Look with the Eyes of Compassion
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