Like many around the globe, I was deeply moved to hear of the deaths of South African, Anglican bishop and theologian Desmond Tutu (Oct. 7, 1931–Dec. 26, 2021), and Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, author, poet, teacher and founder of Plum Village also known as the “father of mindfulness” Thich Nhat Hanh (Oct. 11, 1926–Jan. 22, 2022). Within one month, two of the world’s most dedicated persons to peace transitioned to a deeper state of being.
While the world celebrates the radically astonishing convictions of two incredibly courageous beings, our hearts ache as the world seemingly became much less peaceful and even more unstable with the passing of each of these two spiritual leaders who dedicated their lives to teaching peace, to being peace in a world so increasingly devastated and divided.
On Jan. 27, 2022, an email in my inbox. Perhaps yours, too. The monks and nuns of Plum Village, France, in response to the grief and suffering at the death of their beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, released this beautiful recording of the chant of compassion, Namo’valokiteshvaraya. Desmond and Thay knew compassion as instinctual—we are hardwired for care and connection.
Namo’valokiteschvaraya, translated from Sanskrit, invites the presence of the One who listens with compassion. Namo—to pay respect, and valokiteschvaraya—the capacity to listen within, to be truly present in the here and the now, to experience pain and suffering AND simultaneously, to feel peace and compassion. To listen to Namo’valokiteschvaraya Chant, visit https://plumvillage.org/library/chants/namo-avalokiteshvaraya/.
Discussing why people should extend compassion in The Book of Joy, Archbishop Tutu exclaimed, “I hope they would try it out … when you say, ‘How can I help?’ even in the midst of your deep anguish, it’s got an alchemy that transforms your pain. It may not take it away. But it becomes in a way bearable, more than it was at the time when you were just saying, ‘poor me,’ thinking only about yourself.”
The monks and nuns, no doubt, extend this chant in their own grief as perhaps Thay’s and Desmond’s eternal practice—an everlasting effort to fully engage the energy of compassion, to invite it to radiate though each of us, releasing pain and suffering and living joy.
To hear Thich Nhat Hanh’s Dharma talk regarding this chant of compassion, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdHFElyjOAc.
May we radiate compassion.
—Ann Jackson, PBVM, Prairiewoods spiritual services coordinator