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

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Comment by Beatrice LATEUR LACROIX on November 19, 2009 at 12:50am: May everone from the community of Bat Nha can maintain Peace in his heart.
I join you in my heart, my bothers and sisters.
We are One.

Comment by Beatrice LATEUR LACROIX on November 19, 2009 at 12:43am: Thank you, once again, Velcrow for your wonderful and progfound film.
love and peace for all beings.

Comment by SERENE on November 15, 2009 at 11:58am: Candles for peace

Comment by Deacon Nadia on November 14, 2009 at 6:29pm: This is beautiful and moving film, thank you! I will definately be praying with them for a peaceful environment in which to continue their devotional practice and for those who oppress them to be struck down by love and humility. As a minister of a small Christian Mystic community in the US, I can relate to their sincere love for prayer and peace and I mourn for their pain and join them in hope.

Comment by Heike E. Rech, Anaré (artist name) on November 14, 2009 at 12:28am: Thank you for this important message, peace may develop at this manner.
peace, licht and blessings. heike-anaré

Comment by Irit Hakim-Keller on November 13, 2009 at 10:13pm: Many thanks to Velcrow Ripper for this film.
May the Brothers and Sisters of the Abbot be strong to keep on their life
May their life improved soon,
May all return to their homes,
May happiness, serenity and peace be upon all.

Energy and love

Irit

Comment by Janice Bakow on November 13, 2009 at 6:30pm: While the exhibition is no longer on display, perhaps its intention can bring understanding and Love to the hearts of people who learn about it.
"El Paso, TX - Holocaust Exhibit Sheds Light on Story of Unlikely Rescuers, Muslims
Published on: August 16th, 2009. The Albanian people were practicing a centuries-old code of conduct called besa.
Its 30 black-and-white photos tell the stories of some of the more than 20,000 Albanian Muslims who rescued Jews from the Nazis during World War II. "There is no evidence of any Jew being turned over to any Nazi," said Gershman, who is Jewish, from his home in Basalt, Colo. "Seventy percent of the people in Albania are Muslims."
Muslims rescuing Jews seems improbable in today's world. Gershman hopes the exhibit, which will open a five-week run Aug. 23 at the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, will help chip away at ethnic and religious stereotypes.
May God's Peace and and Universal Sovereignity protect the Bat Nha Brothers and Sisters and open all Human Hearts to The Eternal Love that brings Understanding.

Comment by Heather Sirotak on November 13, 2009 at 6:06pm: My heart is with them and would break if I did not believe that ALL is written and can never be undone!

Comment by Amanda on November 13, 2009 at 5:35pm: !Que todos los seres alcance la felicidad y las causas que producen la felicidad; Que cese el sufrimiento de todos los seres y las causas que producen el sufrimiento!

Comment by David Gould on November 13, 2009 at 3:10pm: "We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings, even those regarded as enemies."

From the Charter of Compassion.
There should be freedom to pursue whatever religion one is drawn to without persecution. This was a deeply moving film about some wonderful and peaceful souls. Recently we have been considering why Peace makers face persecution...because we oppose all that is taught to be natural in the response of people to conflict...we are taught from and early age to react with violent thoughts and aspirations. We need to restore the principle of Compassion to the centre of our lives, our thoughts, our actions and to our souls.