Arguably the world's second most famous Buddhist figure after the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh will address people here on the many roles of Buddhism, including the quest for peace in contemporary society during a time of ideological division.

Advocating what is now widely known as "engaged Buddhism", the internationally renowned Viet-namese monk suggests an alternative path for people to follow in their effort to improve society without getting bogged down in the ideology of the day.

The return of Thich Nhat Hanh, who now lives in exile in France, to Thailand after his last visit here more than three decades ago reminds Buddhist and social activists of the similarity between political and social tensions now and then. They are concerned that present-day society is manifesting the same level of dichotomy and hatred.

"Ideological walls are growing taller and stronger. Verbal and physical violence is on the rise. Fear and uncertainty are being used to urge people to join one camp or the other. Talk of reconciliation is obscured by actions to the contrary," says leading monk Phra Pisal Visalo.

"When I was a student activist 30 years ago it was the same thing. We had to say either we were with the leftists who didn't mind violence in their striving for a better society or get branded as apologists for a military dictator. I found the level of hatred and anger on both sides unlikely to yield any benefits for society," adds Phra Pisal.

Where the young Pisal and many others did find refuge was in the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. In his three-week visit here in 1975, many activists had the opportunity to hear his sermons, which have helped to guide them in their social work ever since.

Thich Nhat Hanh, now 81, has been living away from his native Vietnam since the age of 40. Refusing to be trapped in the war between North and South Vietnam, he was banned by both the communist and non-communist governments for his role in promoting non-violent civil disobedience to counter the brutality of the war on ordinary people.

He started Plum Village in France in 1982 to allow anyone to come and learn the benefits of practising mindfulness in daily life, so that a more calm and aware mind can then be applied to helping other people and society. There are now some 200 monks at Plum Village and 2,000 lay people attending extended teachings every year.

"We have people from Israel and Palestine come to our retreats," says Bhikkuni Niramisa, a member of Plum Village from Thailand. "We want to create a dialogue between both sides without them passing judgement on each other. At our discussion forums, the Israelis said they didn't know how much loss and suffering the Palestinians had to go through and vice versa. In the end, both sides returned home with compassion and sympathy toward each other."

Prominent graft-fighter Rosana Tositrakul believes that a lot of valuable social work going on here has been fuelled by exposure to Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings.

"Thay [Vietnamese for teacher] has shown us how to live and continue to work for society amid the battle between the left and the right," she said. "While my college friends, who were very much into socialist ideology then, now enjoy life as corporate executives, many of us are still striving for social change in our activist way."

Thailand is certainly in need of more peace and more social advocates now, says Bhikkuni Niramisa, who hopes to establish a facility similar to Plum Village in Chiang Mai soon. Many have offered to help, including donating land to set up the monastery.

"We hope to decide on the location before the arrival of Luang Pu [Thich Nhat Hanh]. We established a Plum Village in Vietnam two years ago and it now has more than 300 monks. I hope Thailand will be the next place where people can learn from his valuable teachings."

Phra Pisal is also pleased that women will have a chance to be ordained as Zen Bhikkuni once Plum Village Thailand is established.

From May 23-27, some 700 monks and lay people will be offered a taste of Thich Nhat Hanh's thought as he will lead a five-day retreat in Chiang Mai. He will also deliver public speeches and sermons in Bangkok including on Visakha Bucha Day.

"Nothing of this scale has ever been organised in Thailand before and the level of interest is astonishing, which is evidence that Thais are looking for a deeper and also more practical form of Buddhism," said Thitima Urapeepathanapong, who has volunteered to help organise the event.

Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings on mindfulness and social engagement are very similar to those of Thailand's own Buddhadasa, says Phra Pisal.

"The benefits of Buddha's teaching are not to be bottled up inside ourselves, but to be used to better ourselves so that we in turn can do a better job helping others," he said.

Nantiya Tangwisutijit

The Nation