Postlude
Huiling Lim
Routledge eBooks October 7, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003772972-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Thích Nhất Hạnh's enduring legacy lies not in mindfulness techniques alone but in his rearticulation of Buddhism as a relational, embodied, and ethically responsive path grounded in lineage and practice. Contends that his integration of morality, wisdom, and meditation through "interbeing" avoids both secular reductionism and doctrinal rigidity, and presents his Engaged and Applied Buddhism as a living transmission requiring continual renewal through insight, community, and disciplined practice. |
Abstract
Chapter 5 synthesizes the ethical, psychological and contemplative dimensions explored throughout the book, offering a critical evaluation of Thích Nhất Hạnh&s;s contribution to modern Buddhism. It reflects on the coherence and limits of his project, addressing tensions between accessibility and depth, tradition and adaptation and individual practice and collective responsibility. The chapter argues that Thích Nhất Hạnh&s;s enduring legacy lies not in mindfulness techniques alone, but in his rearticulation of Buddhism as a relational, embodied and ethically responsive path grounded in lineage and practice. By integrating morality, wisdom and meditation through the lens of interbeing, his work avoids both secular reductionism and doctrinal rigidity. The chapter considers the implications of Engaged and Applied Buddhism for contemporary global challenges, including ecological crisis, technological acceleration and social fragmentation. Rather than proposing a fixed model, Thích Nhất Hạnh&s;s approach is presented as a living transmission requiring continual renewal through insight, community and disciplined practice.