“Someday, with no effort at all, you will understand. You only have to allow yourself to be there, to touch deeply each thing you encounter, to walk mindfully, and to help others with the whole of your being. This is the practice of non-practice.”
Buddhist teachings and way of life can often be complicated to understand for a layman. As a monk, Hanh has learned the teachings from a young age and has dedicated his life to mastering them. However, he comes to fully grasp the concepts when he falls in love even though romance is against their way of life. Therefore, Hanh takes the opportunity in his narrative to inform the reader of the true nature of enlightenment. In that, the teachings are not meant to be mastered on an intellectual level for them to resonate. But asserts that it is more of an understanding that comes to an individual through the presence and complete surrender without any conscious effort.
“For me, there is no difference between this love story and the sutras of the Buddha. Hearing the love story can help you understand the Dharma, and hearing the Dharma can help you understand the love story.”
His experience of falling in love with a nun gave Hanh a more profound understanding of life and the teachings he has dedicated his life to. Hanh expounds on the true experience of romance that involves patience and presence. He draws parallels with the oaths in Buddhism and the emotions within the confines of love. The statement expresses how the two constructs complement each other despite being traditionally set apart. He grasps a better understanding of the sutras through his forbidden love and also learns about loving through his teachings.
