Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist monk, a peacemaker, a poet, a storyteller, and a beloved teacher. In this paperback aimed at children from ages 8-12, he states that anyone can be a Buddha by waking up, living in the present moment, and helping other beings.
Thich Nhat Hanh tells a story called "The Hermit and the Well" which includes his encounter with the Buddha within when he was 11 years old. We especially appreciated a suggestion by children at Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's retreat center in France, that they celebrate "Today's Day" as the most important day of our lives. We have Mother's Day and Father's Day, so why not a special day where we live happily and completely in the present moment?
Children have to deal with anger — their own and that of others. Thich Nhat Hanh gives them a practice called "A Pebble in Your Pocket." (See the excerpt.) He also shares ideas on walking meditation, stopping and breathing, eating an orange, tree-hugging, touching the earth, and arranging flowers.
