“With compassion you can die for other people, like the mother who can die for her child. You have the courage to say it because you are not afraid of losing anything, because you know that understanding and love is the foundation of happiness. But if you have fear of losing your status, your position, you will not have the courage to do it.”

Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist of the 20th and 21st centuries, Thich Nhat Hanh is best known for founding the Plum Village monastic community and promoting mindfulness as a path to personal and global healing. His teachings blend Zen meditation, engaged Buddhism, and accessible spiritual practice, emphasizing presence, compassion, and nonviolence in daily life.