PRAYERS FOR BAT NHA

“If we want to end the war in the world, we need to end the war in our own hearts.”


I made this short film in support of Thich Nhat Hanh, and his sangha in Vietnam, who are in crisis right now. Please support them, and share this video widely.

Thich Nhat Hanh's monks and nuns of Bat Nha Monastery are facing religious persecution in Vietnam right now, from the communist government. Threatened by the rising popularity of Thich Nhat Hanh's form of engaged Buddhism in the country, the state has cracked down. The monks and nuns have been evicted from their monastery, and are now living as refugee's in the city of Bao Loc, in a small temple. Please support them! To learn more, visit: http://www.helpbatnha.org

A Fierce Light Flash! Directed by award winning filmmaker Velcrow Ripper. Ripper's latest film, Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action, features Thich Nhat Hanh. http://www.fiercelight.org

Dear friends,
Let us continue to send our energy of practice, our peace and calm to the Bat Nha Brothers and Sisters who are still under surveillance and without a clear resolution to their situation. Sangha Brother Velcrow Ripper has made this little film as a prayer to our BN Monastics. Let us also send our energy to the Abbot of Phuoc Hue Temple and his Sangha who has compassionately taken our young brothers and sisters in for refuge; to the many lay friends and supporters of Bao Loc who are fearlessly bringing food and coming to help with cooking and bringing the sick to the hospital at the risk of persecution; and to our elder Brothers Phap Hoi, Phap Sy, and Phap Tu, who can not return to their Bat Nha Community of younger monks and nuns; and to all beings who are still covered in the cloud of misunderstanding and suspicion.

“Love is born from understanding – understanding the suffering of the other person, his or her suffering and deep aspiration; and that understanding brings about true love. And in order to understand, we must have the time to look deeply and to listen deeply.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh