Journal Article — The Sociological Contexts of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Teachings — by Darren Noy

Placing sociology into dialogue with the theories of Thich Nhat Hanh can prove a fruitful endeavor, especially as another example of the growing conversation between science and spirituality. Engaging in a dialogue with Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings, however, requires that we understand these teachings both (1) within their context as an example of a family of engaged spiritualities that arose in the 20th century to address the dreams and dilemmas of modernity, and (2) within their context as a contemporary adaptation of traditional Buddhist philosophy. This essay discusses both of these contexts, while also suggesting possible ways that academic sociological theories might relate to or parallel with the Engaged Buddhist theory of Thich Nhat Hanh.