Thich Nhat Hanh weathered out his long exile, which he began 1966, returning to Vietnam in 2005. Following that watershed moment, temples where Buddhism had developed into little more than annual ceremonial candle lighting for the dead, are now re-energized by the kindling spark of Buddhism as continual daily practice.
These are each momentous. So too are the countless anecdotes. In 1983, for instance, at his visit to America's first Zen monastery, he noted a conspicuous absence of smiles. So it's noteworthy that the volume collecting much of his practices is called Happiness. Smile … breathe … pause. This moment is a happy moment.
From Thich Nhat Hanh I have learned that for there to be peace in the world, there must be peace within ourselves. When there's peace in myself, since I'm in the world there is peace in the world. Here's to peace in my heart ... peace in the world ... peace in my beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.