I just read this the other day and felt it to be really insightful and relevant to these times.
Someone asked me, “Aren’t you worried about the state of the world?” I allowed myself to breathe and then I said, “What is most important is not to allow your anxiety about what happens in the world to fill your heart. If your heart is filled with anxiety, you will get sick, and you will not be ableto help.” There are wars — big and small — in many places, and that can cause us to lose our peace. Anxiety is the illness of our age. We worry about ourselves, our family, our friends, our work, and the state of the world. If we allow worry to fill our hearts, sooner or later we will get sick.
Source: The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh
一行 has some awesome teachings that we’re blind to me until I saw his popularity in China. In the west because he’s surrounded by mostly the older hippy Buddhist crown I never paid attention.
I have immense respect for Thay. Together with 虛雲 I believe him to have been one of the clearest examples of true, modern day, Bodhisattvas. Truly remarkable in both speech and deed.
Another great example! Late 19th-20th century Asia does have a bunch of great monastics. Maybe 印光 too