Thousands in Vietnam mourn Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist monk who brought mindfulness to West
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist died on Saturday aged 95
- Mourners in Vietnam pay respects to monk who had ‘influence across the world’
The Zen master, whose reach within Buddhism was seen as second only to the Dalai Lama, died aged 95 on Saturday at the Tu Hieu Pagoda in the city of Hue.
Widely known as the father of mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh spent nearly four decades in exile after he was banished from his homeland for calling for an end to the Vietnam war.
He wrote more than 100 books on mindfulness and meditation and hosted retreats worldwide.
Early on Sunday morning, chanting monks carried his body covered by a yellow sheet along with decorative umbrellas through the throng of mourners.
The smell of incense wafted in the air as they put his body in a wooden coffin and placed it in the meditation hall decorated with yellow daisies.
Buddhist monks in yellow and brown robes recited prayers and followers wearing grey stood in silent contemplation of a remarkable life.