“In the past there were people who were not rich but contented with their living style, laughing and happy all day. But when the new rich people appear, people look at them and ask, 'why don't I have a life like that too, a beautiful house, car and garden,' and they abandon their values.”

Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, author, poet, and teacher. He was widely known as the "father of mindfulness" and for founding the Plum Village Tradition, which is recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. He became a major influence on how Buddhism was practiced in the West. His work and teaching were closely tied to mindfulness and engaged Buddhism, and his reputation rested on both his writing and his role as a Buddhist teacher.