4a. Introduction
Many of the ideas and tactics utilized by peace movements have their roots in, or at least link to, particular principles and philosophies that have a long history.
In this module we will examine a few individuals – peace thinkers I will call them – who developed ideas that inspired specific movements particularly during the 20th to 21st centuries. All have in common a belief that nonviolence, whether as tactic or philosophy, are essential as both means and ends to address conflict.
Many of these principles become linked together in modern-day peace movements.
You are probably more familiar with the concepts than with the specific people.
In this module we’ll take a look at a Zen Buddhist monk named Thích Nhất Hạnh. You may have heard of him because his philosophy and practice of mindfulness have become popular in the west, mainly as a form of meditation and stress reduction. Begin this module by taking some deep breaths and listening to The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering) spoken by Thích Nhất Hạnh. I have often used this video as a mindfulness approach to begin a class. Hopefully, it puts you in a frame of mind that helps you focus on the moment at hand.
R Smittenaar. (2009, September 10). The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering). [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/6518109