Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, and peace activist renowned for his profound teachings on mindfulness and engaged Buddhism. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo in 1926, he became a Zen monk at 16 and later assumed the name Thích Nhất Hạnh upon ordination. His literary legacy includes over 100 books, such as "The Miracle of Mindfulness," "Peace Is Every Step," and "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching," which have been translated into more than 40 languages. A nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967, his works blend spiritual wisdom with practical guidance for cultivating peace in daily life.
A key figure in the Lâm Tế (Rinzai) Zen tradition, Thích Nhất Hạnh founded Van Hanh Buddhist University and the School of Youth for Social Service in Vietnam. Exiled for his activism during the Vietnam War, he established Plum Village in France, which grew into Europe's largest Buddhist monastery and a global center for mindful living. His writings often explored themes of compassion, interconnectedness, and nonviolence, reflecting his lifelong commitment to social justice. Recognized as one of the most influential spiritual teachers of his time, he continued to write and teach until his passing in 2022, leaving a timeless body of work that bridges Eastern philosophy and contemporary mindfulness practices.
Being Peace Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Being Peace (With: Arnold Kotler)
1987
2
Touching Peace: Practicing the Art of Mindful Living (With: Arnold Kotler, Mayumi Oda)
1990
Mindfulness Essentials Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
How to Eat (With: Jason DeAntonis)
2004
2
How to Sit
2014
3
How to Love (With: Jason DeAntonis)
2014
4
How to Walk (With: Jason DeAntonis)
2015
5
How to Relax (With: Jason DeAntonis)
2015
6
How to Fight (With: Jason DeAntonis)
2017
7
How to See
2019
8
How to Connect
2020
9
How to Focus
2022
Non-Fiction Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire
1967
2
Cry of Vietnam (With: Vo-Dinh)
1971
3
Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice
1974
4
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
1975
5
The Raft is Not the Shore: Conversations toward a Buddhist/Christian Awareness
1975
6
Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism
1987
7
Be Still and Know: Reflections from Living Buddha, Living Christ
1987
8
The Sutra on the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings: A Buddhist Scripture on Simplicity, Generosity and Compassion
1987
9
The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra
1987
10
The Pine Gate
1987
11
The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing: With Commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh
1988
12
The Sun My Heart
1988
13
Transformation and Healing: Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness
1990
14
Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living
1990
15
Our Appointment with Life: Discourse on Living Happily in the Present Moment
1990
16
Plum Village Chanting Book
1991
17
Path of Return Continues the Journey
1991
18
Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
1992
19
The Diamond That Cuts Through Illusion: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Diamond Sutra
1992
20
Love in Action: Writings on Nonviolent Social Change
1993
21
Hermitage Among the Clouds: An Historical Novel of Fourteenth Century Vietnam
1993
22
Thundering Silence: Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Catch a Snake
1993
23
Touching the Earth: Intimate Conversations with the Buddha
1994
24
A Joyful Path: Community, Transformation, and Peace
1994
25
Breathe! You Are Alive: Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing
1996
26
Cultivating the Mind of Love: The Practice of Looking Deeply in the Mahayana Buddhist Tradition
1996
27
Song of No Coming No Going
1996
28
Helping the Baby Buddha to be Born (With: Alex White)
1997
29
Living Buddha, Living Christ
1997
30
Stepping into Freedom: Rules of Monastic Practice for Novices
1997
31
Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals, 1962-1966
1998
32
The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
1998
33
Mindful Movements: Mindfulness Exercises Developed by Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village Sangha
1998
34
The Blooming of a Lotus: Guided Meditations for Achieving the Miracle of Mindfulness
1999
35
Wisdom Of Thich Nhat Hanh
2000
36
The Path of Emancipation
2000
37
Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers
2000
38
A Pebble for Your Pocket
2001
39
With Words of Thich Nhat Hanh
2001
40
May Our Heart's Garden of Awakening Bloom with Hundreds of Flowers
2001
41
A Journal with Words of Thich Nhat Hanh
2001
42
Transformation at the Base: Fifty Verses on the Nature of Consciousness
2001
43
Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames
2001
44
Master Tang Hoi: First Zen Teacher in Vietnam and China
2001
45
No Death, No Fear
2002
46
My Master's Robe: Memories of a Novice Monk
2002
47
Understanding Our Mind: 50 Verses on Buddhist Psychology
2002
48
Be Free Where You Are
2002
49
Under the Rose Apple Tree
2002
50
Friends on the Path: Living Spiritual Communities
2002
51
Finding Our True Home: Living in the Pure Land Here and Now
2003
52
I Have Arrived, I Am Home: Celebrating 20 Years of Plum Village Life
2003
53
Buddha Mind, Buddha Body: Walking Toward Enlightenment
2003
54
Joyfully Together: The Art of Building a Harmonious Community
2003
55
Opening the Heart of the Cosmos: Insights on the Lotus Sutra
2003
56
True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart
2004
57
Taming the Tiger Within: Meditations on Transforming Difficult Emotions
2004
58
You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment
2004
59
Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World
2004
60
Freedom Wherever We Go: A Buddhist Monastic Code for the Twenty-first Century
2004
61
Peace Begins Here: Palestinians and Israelis Listening to Each Other
2004
62
Peace In Our Lifetime: Insights From The World's Peacemakers
2004
63
Keeping the Peace: Mindfulness and Public Service
2005
64
Wisdom from Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
2005
65
Calming the Fearful Mind: A Zen Response to Terrorism
2005
66
Moments of Mindfulness: Daily Inspiration
2005
67
Power
2006
68
The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice
2006
69
Teachings on Love
2006
70
Chanting from the Heart: Buddhist Ceremonies and Daily Practices
2006
71
Two Treasures: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening and True Happiness
2006
72
For a Future to Be Possible: Buddhist Ethics for Everyday Life
2007
73
The Art of Power
2007
74
Nothing to Do, Nowhere to Go: Reflections on the Teachings of Zen Master Lin Chi
2007
75
Brush Dance Thich Nhat Hanh Journal
2008
76
A Rose for Your Pocket: An Appreciation of Motherhood
2008
77
The World We Have: A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology
2008
78
Under the banyan tree: Overcoming fear and sorrow
2008
79
Beyond the Self: Teachings on the Middle Way
2009
80
Peaceful Action, Open Heart: Lessons from the Lotus Sutra
2009
81
Answers from the Heart: Practical Responses to Life's Burning Questions
2009
82
Calm, Ease, Smile, Breathe
2009
83
Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices
2009
84
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life (With: Lilian Cheung)
2010
85
Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child
2010
86
Together We Are One: Honoring Our Diversity, Celebrating Our Connection
2010
87
Sunshine & Green Leaves: The Essential Writings
2010
88
Fidelity: How to Create a Loving Relationship That Lasts
2011
89
Peace Is Every Breath: A Practice for Our Busy Lives
2011
90
One Buddha is Not Enough: A Story of Collective Awakening
2011
91
Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children
2011
92
Your True Home: The Everyday Wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh: 365 days of practical, powerful teachings from the beloved Zen teacher
2011
93
Breathe: A Thich Nhat Hanh Journal
2011
94
Making Space: Creating a Home Meditation Practice
2011
95
Work: How to Find Joy and Meaning in Each Hour of the Day
2012
96
Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries
2012
97
Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm
2012
98
The Art of Mindfulness
2012
99
Path of Compassion: Stories from the Buddha's Life
2012
100
Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Society
2012
101
The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh
2012
102
Love Letter to the Earth
2013
103
Peace of Mind: Becoming Fully Present
2013
104
The Bells of Mindfulness
2013
105
The Art of Communicating
2013
106
Walking the Noble Path
2013
107
Zen Battles: Modern Commentary on the Teachings of Master Linji
2013
108
The Mindfulness Survival Kit: Five Essential Practices
2013
109
Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha
2014
110
No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering
2014
111
Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise
2015
112
The Way Out is In: The Zen Calligraphy of the Father of Mindfulness
2015
113
Inside the Now: Meditations on Time
2015
114
Leading from Within: The Art of Mindful Leadership
2015
115
This Moment Is Full of Wonders: The Zen Calligraphy of Thich Nhat Hanh
2015
116
At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk's Life (With: Jason DeAntonis)
2016
117
The Art of Living: mindful techniques for peaceful living from one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders
2017
118
Happy Teachers Change the World: A Guide for Cultivating Mindfulness in Education (With: Katherine Weare)
2017
119
The Other Shore: A New Translation of the Heart Sutra with Commentaries
2017
120
The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now
2018
121
Walking Meditation: Easy Steps to Mindfulness (With: Nguyen Anh-Huong)
2019
122
Living Peacefully: A Thich Nhat Hanh Inspirational Journal
2019
123
The Heart of the Plum Village Teachings: The Forty Tenets of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (With: Annabel Laity)
2020
124
How to Live When a Loved One Dies: Healing Meditations for Grief and Loss
2021
125
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet
2021
126
The Admonitions and Encouraging Words of Master Guishan: Text and Commentary
2022
127
The Bodhisattva Path: Commentary on the Vimalakirti and Ugrapariprccha Sutras
2023
128
Cracking the Walnut: Understanding the Dialectics of Nagarjuna
2023
129
Peace Is This Moment: Mindful Reflections for Daily Practice
2023
130
Chanting from the Heart Vol I: Sutras and Chants for Recitation from the Plum Village Community
2023
131
How to Smile
2023
132
Chanting from the Heart Vol II: Ceremonies and Practices from the Plum Village Community
2023
Standalone Novels
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Novice: A Story of True Love
2011
Picture Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Each Breath a Smile (With: Nguyen Thi Hop, Nguyen Dong, Thuc Nghiem, Sister Susan)
2002
2
The Hermit and the Well (With: Vo-Dinh Mai)
2004
3
The Coconut Monk (With: Vo-Dinh Mai)
2006
4
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles (With: Wietske Vriezen)
2012
5
Is Nothing Something?: Kids' Questions and Zen Answers About Life, Death, Family, Friendship, and Everything in Between (With: Jessica McClure)
2014
6
Where Is the Buddha?
2021
Thich Nhat Hanh Poems
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Zen Poems
1976
2
Call Me by My True Names: The Collected Poems
1996
3
Drops of Emptiness (With: Plum Village Community)
1997
Short Story Collections
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Stone Boy and Other Stories (With: Nguyen Thi Hop, Vo-Dinh Mai, Jim Forest, Mobi Warren)
1996
2
The Dragon Prince: Stories and Legends from Vietnam
2007
Modern Spiritual Masters Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Mohandas Gandhi (By: Mahatma Gandhi)
1970
2
Gandhi on Christianity ( By: Mahatma Gandhi)
1991
3
Caminemos Con Jesus (By: Roberto S. Goizueta)
1995
4
Thich Nhat Hanh (With: Annabel Laity)
2001
5
In Our Own Tongues (By: Peter C. Phan)
2003
6
The Challenge & Spirituality of Catholic Social Teaching (By: Marvin L Krier Mich)
2005
7
John Henry Newman (By: John T. Ford)
2012
8
Suffering and the Christian Life (By: Richard W. Miller)
2013
9
John Muir ( By: John Muir)
2013
10
William Stringfellow (By: Daniel Berrigan, William Stringfellow)
2013
11
Spirituality Seeking Theology (By: Roger Haight S.J.)
2014
12
Thomas Berry (By: Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim)
2014
13
Mysticism and Spirituality; Part Two Spirituality, The Way of Life (By: Raimon Panikkar, Milena Carrara Pavean)
2014
14
Henry David Thoreau (By: Tim Flinders)
2015
15
The Bible and Literature (By: Elizabeth Michael Boyle, Carol J. Dempsey)
2015
16
Phyllis Tickle (By: Jon M. Sweeney)
2015
17
Vincent Van Gogh (By: Carol A. Berry)
2015
18
Ralph Waldo Emerson (By: Jon M. Sweeney)
2016
19
Jacques Ellul (By: Jacob E. Van Vleet)
2016
20
Cardinal Walter Kasper (By: Cardinal Walter Kasper, Robert Krieg)
2016
21
James Martin (By: James T. Keane)
2017
22
Joyce Rupp (By: Joyce Rupp)
2017
23
Richard Rohr (By: Joelle Chase, Judy Traeger)
2018
24
Jon Sobrino (By: Robert Lassalle-Klein, Jon Sobrino)
2018
25
Ruth Burrows (By: Michelle Jones, Ruth Burrows)
2019
26
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (By: Or N. Rose, Netanel Miles-Yepez)
2020
27
Ronald Rolheiser (By: Alicia Von Stamwitz, Ronald Rolheiser)
2021
28
Matthew Fox (By: Matthew Fox, Charles Burack Ph.D.)
2022
Thich Nhat Hanh Anthologies
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Comparative Political Culture in the Age of Globalization
2002
2
Spiritual Perspectives on America's Role as a Superpower