Thich Nhat Hanh 101

Thich Nhat Hanh 101: A Program for Cultivating Mindfulness and Compassion in Young Hearts

Peace begins with mindfulness. For young people living in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings offer a path to understanding that peace is both an inner and outer journey. The Thich Nhat Hanh 101 program is designed to share his legacy with young people, ages 12 to 18, providing them with a deep understanding of how mindfulness and nonviolence can be a powerful response to conflict and suffering.

As a teacher, retreat leader, or youth educator, you have the opportunity to bring the wisdom of Thay into the hearts and minds of the next generation. This program offers tools to teach youth about Thich Nhat Hanh’s role in creating a global movement of peace during the Vietnam War, and how his principles of mindfulness, compassion, and nonviolent action can be applied to the challenges they face today.

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Building Peace in the Mind and the World

The Thich Nhat Hanh 101 curriculum equips educators and retreat leaders with tools to guide students on a journey of self-discovery, emotional intelligence, and compassionate action. Through a variety of interactive and engaging activities, young people will learn:

  • Mindfulness as the Foundation for Nonviolence: Students will explore how mindfulness helps cultivate calm, presence, and compassion, not just in their personal lives but also as a way to face social challenges.
  • Compassionate Responses to War and Injustice: The curriculum uses Thich Nhat Hanh’s experiences during the Vietnam War to show how valuing the dignity of all people can guide responses to conflict without resorting to violence.
  • Inspiration to Act for Peace: Through activities and discussions, students will be encouraged to reflect on how they can practice engaged Buddhism in their own lives, whether by promoting nonviolence in their communities, standing up for environmental justice, or offering compassion to those in need.

 

This program helps young people realize that, like Thich Nhat Hanh, they too can make a difference—both within themselves and in the world around them.

How it Works

Thich Nhat Hanh’s legacy isn’t just about mindfulness as a personal practice; it’s about engaging with the world through loving-kindness and action. This program brings his story to life for students, helping them understand how his deep commitment to Buddhist practice led him to found a nonviolent social movement in response to the devastation of war.

Key features of this program:

  • A Journey Through Thich Nhat Hanh’s Life: Students will explore Thay’s early life, his experiences during the Vietnam War, and how he came to believe in a Buddhist path that wasn’t removed from the suffering of the world but instead deeply engaged with it. Through his story, they’ll see how he used the Dharma as a force for peace, not only in Vietnam but across the globe.
  • Understanding Engaged Buddhism: Thich Nhat Hanh’s work is a profound example of engaged Buddhism, where mindfulness practice is woven with activism. The curriculum helps young people see how Buddhist principles of compassion, interbeing, and nonviolence can create real change in society.
  • Lessons on Nonviolence and Compassion: Through Thay’s teachings, students will learn about the importance of nonviolent action as a way to respond to suffering, conflict, and injustice. They’ll reflect on how Thay’s founding of the School of Youth for Social Service, his peace activism, and his global retreats were all part of his vision for a compassionate, peaceful world.

This program is ideal for:

01

Middle and high school classrooms looking to integrate mindfulness into their regular curriculum or social-emotional learning (SEL) programs.

02

Retreats and youth camps focused on personal development, mindfulness, or spirituality.

03

Religious or spiritual education programs aimed at helping children connect with core values of peace, empathy, and mindfulness.

04

Young people, ages 12-18

Let's Raise the Next Generation of Mindful Peacemakers

In a world that needs more peacemakers, this curriculum empowers young people to not only understand Thay’s teachings but to live them. Thich Nhat Hanh 101 is the perfect resource for teachers and youth leaders who want to introduce the next generation to the transformative power of engaged Buddhism.

By purchasing Thich Nhat Hanh 101 you will inspire and empower young people to become mindful leaders of the future, capable of fostering peace in a world that desperately needs it.

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Related Resources

We aim to make our resources accessible for all. If you are interested in our resources but aren’t able to access them due to financial reasons, please contact us.

Global Peace Heroes is a not-for-profit organization. Funds from resource membership sales go to support the ongoing cost of developing additional peace-focused educational resources and to support the expansion of our programming.