In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino explore the art of transmission in Buddhism: wisdom and teachings being passed down over time, from teacher to student.
The hosts touch on the profound and nuanced ways in which Buddhist teachings and insights are passed down through generations, with the goal of cultivating understanding, compassion, and liberation; the role of nature as a powerful transmitter of wisdom; the significance of rituals and ceremonies in honoring this transmission; and more.
Brother Phap Huu emphasizes the importance of deep listening, humility, and direct experience in the transmission process, and how true transmission goes beyond the imparting of knowledge, to a requirement that both teacher and student be in a state of non-self and openness to receive the teachings.
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Quotes
“Listening is the first doorway to communication. And many of us think that communication is about speaking or writing. But the foundation for speaking and for writing is listening.”
“What we say, how we say it, and the tone of saying it creates a reality. That creates a transmission of knowledge, a transmission of feelings, a transmission of energy.”
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🔔 The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living is a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.
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🎙️ The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App and Global Optimism with support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
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Resources
🎙️ Live show: The Way Out Is In podcast with special guest Ocean Vuong
Interbeing
Album: A Cloud Never Dies
Dharma Talk: ‘The Five Powers: Faith, Diligence, Mindfulness, Concentration, Insight - Brother Phap Huu’
Dharma Talks: ‘Redefining the Four Noble Truths’
Thich Nhat Hanh: Redefining the Four Noble Truths
‘The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village’
The Way Out Is In: ‘Feel It to Heal It: The Dharma of Music (Episode #79)’
Dharma Talks: ‘Redefining the Four Noble Truths’