Thich Nhat Hanh returns to Vietnam

Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday with nearly 200 followers, about half of them monks and nuns, to begin a three-month visit, lasting until April 14. He will visit Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, and various temples around the country, in a visit facilitated by the state-sponsored Vietnam Buddhist Church. Nhat Hanh, age 82, has lived abroad since 1967 as a result of his protests against the war. He leads the Plum Village Meditation center in southwest France, and has written numerous books and taught at retreats in recent years. In the past he was closely associated with dissident monks who lead the now banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, such as Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do. Several of his previously banned books are now allowed to be circulated in Vietnam. (Vietnam News Agency, Jan. 12; Agence France Presse Jan. 11, North County Times Jan. 13, Plum Village Meditation center).