Thich Nhat Hanh’s Contribution to Shaping Inclusive and Ethical Global Policies

 -Julius-Kei Kato, PhD

This is the full version of a presentation that I gave at the ICCGC-CoNGO conference in Iksan, South Korea in August 2025. The conference's general theme was: 'Global Society and Leadership for Life and Peace: Healing and Liberation in a Divided World and Wounded Earth' .

Introduction: Thich Nhat Hanh and Me

I’ve been acquainted with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s (henceforward, TNH) person and teaching for some 30 years now since reading his Living Buddha, Living Christ[1] back when I was a graduate student in Rome in the mid-90s. From that book, I began to learn a lot about TNH's (or “Thay” as his students call him fondly) interpretation of the Buddha and Buddhism that make them relevant for our contemporary world.

     It was in the 2010s however when I began to confront Thay’s person and teaching with more seriousness, putting more energy and concentration into studying, meditating on, and practicing his seemingly simple yet, at the same time, quite profound iteration of the Dharma for today.

     And then came the 2020s. That period started with a “bang” in the form of a terrible worldwide pandemic. We were all “trapped” inside our homes and could not relate in person with one another aside from our fixed “bubbles.” One consequence was that we could not assemble in our usual places of worship. That situation naturally favored the development of a more contemplative way of life. I for one eagerly embraced it. That was one good result of the pandemic for me because it connected me more firmly with Thich Nhat Hanh and his way.

     By that time, I was already convinced that TNH’s person and teaching could not only renew Buddhism for today (He has actually stated this aim in an explicit way when he was alive).[2] I began to believe deeply that Thay’s iteration of the principal teachings of Buddhism could also be a powerful yet gentle invitation to people who have given up on religion or who have not been touched at all by religion (the so-called SBNRs, religious “Nones” or religious “Dones”) in this, our secular world, to wade into the rivers of—what I consider—the core of all religious traditions. That heart of all religion is commonly known as SPIRITUALITY.[3]

     I cannot pinpoint the moment exactly but, at a certain point, I decided to become a “novice” of Thich Nhat Hanh and his Way. “Novice” of course is also Catholic religious jargon. It refers to a person who is learning the spiritual teachings and way of life of a religious order or a spiritual master, in a process called “formation.” And my novitiate continues until now. TNH’s way, commonly known nowadays as “The Plum Village tradition”[4] has strongly resonated with me and I continue to try to deepen myself in its specific teachings and practices, as well as study it as a scholar-practitioner.

     I thought I’d begin with that brief background about my relationship with Thich Nhat Hanh in order to say that, as a serious student of TNH for 20+ years, I’ve thought deeply about this session’s theme while endeavoring to apply it to the Plum Village tradition.