This is an excerpt from the Dharma talk given by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh on April 07, 2005 in Quy Nhơn City, Bình Định Province, Central Vietnam.

🔔 Video transcript

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"We count on science and technology. We count on the path of industrialization and modernization. And we believe that path will lead to happiness.

"However, we know that the undertaking of industrialization and modernization and the applications of science and technology give rise to all sorts of social evils that are increasingly blatant in our society. Crime. Violence and hostility. Sexual misconduct. Drugs abuse and addiction. Corruption. Among others.

"Because we have superstitions, we think happiness is only possible when we are successful in terms of science, technology, industrialization, wealth, power, fame, and prestige.

"Meanwhile, happiness can be had right here and right now if we can dwell peacefully in this moment, recognizing the conditions of happiness already available in this moment.

"This teaching, this practice, is the answer to today's world of busy-ness and restlessness, where everyone competes in ruthless pursuit of wealth, power, prestige, or status symbols to prove themselves."

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✩ Full talk's original title: "Quy Nhơn - Sống Chăm Sóc Gia Đình và Xã Hội - Ngày 07 tháng 04 năm 2005"

✩ Full talk originally posted by Thich Nhat Hanh Library Archive Team, date posted unknown

✩ Talk given: April 07, 2005, in Quy Nhơn City, Bình Định Province, Central Vietnam

✩ Excerpt's length: 31 minutes 37 seconds

✩ Watch the full Dharma talk with English subtitles and transcript here.

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RELEVANT READINGS

📌 Thich Nhat Hanh, 2011, Our Appointment with Life: A Commentary on The Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone, California, USA: Parallax Press.

📌 Thich Nhat Hanh, 2012, Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Society, California, USA: Parallax Press.

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REFERENCES (Resources used to translate this Dharma talk): Please visit the Video Transcript link for the full list. Thank you!

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Republished on the Plum Village App with kind permission of Thich Nhat Hanh's Talks channel 🙏