Thich Nhat Hanh’s last days in Vietnam

In Oct. 2018 Thich Nhat Hanh returned to Tu Hieu after being hospitalized in France for four and a half months with a stroke.

The zen master, who is referred to as “Thay” (teacher) by many followers, offers incense as he returns to Tu Hieu from France.

Thay greets nuns and monks at Tu Hieu on Oct. 28, 2018.

Venerable Thich Tri Tuu, head of Thien Mu Pagoda, or the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady Pagoda, in Hue, visits Thich Nhat Hanh at Tu Hieu in 2018.

On Nov. 12, 2018, Thay participates in an event to commemorate the death of Venerable Nhat Dinh, the founder of Tu Hieu.

Thay offers incense for breaking ground for the renovation of Tu Hieu’s main hall in 2019.

Thay’s students take him on a tour around Tu Hieu.

Thay receives nuns, monks and followers at Tu Hieu on Lunar New Year’s Day in 2019, the first time in 40 years he celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) at the pagoda.
Born in 1926, Thich Nhat Hanh became a monk at the age of 23 after studying Buddhism for seven years. He left the country in 1966 and lived in Plum village in southern France for decades, traveling regularly across North America and Europe to give lectures on mindfulness and peace.

Thay joins his students and followers for a morning walk in Tu Hieu.

Thich Nhat Hanh on Lunar New Year 2021. His health was worsening by then.

Monks take care of Thich Nhat Hanh at Tu Hieu.
The zen master passed away early Jan.22 at the age of 95. For decades he was promoting “engaged Buddhism”, which focuses on humans’ active role in facilitating change. His key teaching has been that through mindfulness people can learn to live happily in the present, which is the only way to truly develop peace both within oneself and in the world outside.