HKIEd - Press Release

More than 8,000 Hong Kong professionals are to benefit from a 10-day mindfulness guidance programme from world-renowned Zen Master, the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay), which begins tomorrow.

The Hong Kong programme is co-organized by the Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong (CBS, HKU); the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education (CRSE, HKIEd); and Tsz Ming Buddhist Center.

The programme commences with a lecture at The University of Hong Kong on “True Power” (10 May) for more than 300 representatives from consulates and major public and civil organizations of various nationality backgrounds. This will be followed by a five-day retreat (11-15 May) at Wu Kai Sha Youth Village, Shatin, and a day camp (16 May) at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) Tai Po Campus. Participants include university professors, doctors, clinical psychologists, counsellors, teachers, students and interested public from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and nearby Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The tour will conclude with a public talk (18 May) for 5,000 people to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This is Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh’s third visit to Hong Kong. He was born and educated in Vietnam and has been an ardent advocate of the peace movement. He is one of the best known Zen masters in the West, having authored more than one hundred books of poetry, fiction and philosophy, including the bestselling Being Peace, Peace Is Every Step, Living Buddha Living Christ, The Miracle of Mindfulness, Teachings on Love, and Anger. Back in the year 1967, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King, Jr., for his efforts in promoting world peace. He now lives in Plum Village, a Buddhist community in exile in France, where he teaches, writes, gardens and works to help refugees in Vietnam and Third World Countries.

Having been informed about the general level of stress borne by people in Hong Kong, including many who served in the teaching profession, Thay responded positively to the organizers’ invitation for this Hong Kong Tour.

“Hong Kong is a city that lives under constant pressure, and its people often experience loneliness and interpersonal alienation. The overwhelming response from the various professionals in participating in the programme is ample proof that there is a great demand for guidance in handling stress and dealing with changes in Hong Kong society. The public talk will give the public an opportunity to learn more about Thay’s mindful breathing and awareness, and hopefully result in progress for spiritual and psychological well being,” said Ven. Hin Hung from CBS, HKU.

Dr Wong Ping-ho, Head of CRSE at the HKIEd, added, “The most important challenge in life is to manage change. Teachers play a pivotal role in the intellectual, affective and moral growth of our future generations. In this regard we hope that through Thay’s teaching and inspiration, Hong Kong teachers can be mindful of the changes surrounding us, and in encountering stress, learn how to respond.”

A study commissioned by the Committee on Teachers' Work and released in December 2006 indicated that 50% of teachers suffered from stress at work, caused by factors which included students’ learning abilities, education reforms, stakeholders’ expectations, administration work and language proficiency assessment for teachers.

“As Thay wrote in his poem: ‘We struggle in our mind and body, and we don’t touch the peace and joy that are available right now.’ ” Ven. Ming Yi, Chairman of Tsz Ming Buddhist Center said. “There is still a long road to joy. Hong Kong people should take time to think deeply how to enjoy simple and peaceful living, how to nurture our own inner growth, and how to transform both our individual difficulties and the difficulties in our society.”

In addition to the three co-organisers, major sponsors of the Zen master’s tour include Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Pressroom Printer & Designer, Tom Lee Music and 明覺特刊.