The concept of Engaged Buddhism was first mentioned in Thich Nhat Hanh's book written in 1964, titled "Đạo Phật Đi Vào Cuộc Đời" (Buddhism Enters Life). Later, when the book was translated into English, it was rendered as "Engaged Buddhism" (Parallax Press, 2019: 297), (Hạnh, 1964).
In my opinion, the foundation of "Engaged Buddhism" is understanding (1) suffering and (2) finding ways to liberate from suffering. What's special about Engaged Buddhism is that participants not only seek to liberate themselves from inner suffering but also address suffering in the world and surrounding communities.
In daily life, I observe that the suffering in the world often stems from the suffering and ignorance of individuals. For example, an alcoholic father abusing his children - the inner suffering of the father originates from addiction and unresolved psychological distress. This individual's suffering affects those around him; a drunk person causes accidents, abuses his wife and children when intoxicated.
Similarly, major societal issues also arise from psychological suffering and illusions. War is a conflict of ideologies; we're willing to kill our brothers, sisters, and fellow countrymen because we want to protect specific ideals and viewpoints.
The 7th "Heart Song" by musician Pham Duy vividly illustrates this:
English translation:
Our enemy is not human If we kill people, who will we live with? Our enemy is not outside It lies here, right within each of us.
...
Our enemy's name is slander Our enemy's name is ignorance
Its name is greed
Its name is jealousy
Its name is hatred (so)
Our enemy is not outside It lies here, right within each of us
Vietnamese:
Kẻ thù ta đâu có phải là người Giết người đi thì ta ở với ai ? Kẻ thù ta đâu có ở người ngoài Nó nằm đây nằm ngay ở mỗi ai.
...
Kẻ thù ta tên nó là vu khống Kẻ thù ta tên nó là vô minh
Tên nó là lòng tham
Tên nó là tị hiềm
Tên nó là sự ghét ghen (thế thì)
Kẻ thù ta đâu có ở người ngoài Nó nằm đây nằm ngay ở mỗi ai
Similarly, Thich Nhat Hanh also mentions that the suffering of oneself and the world is created by the human mind.
Hạnh suggests to us: try it! Sit, shut up and breath! "The nature of the bombs, the nature of injustice, the nature of the weapons, and the nature of our own being are the same." (Hạnh 1987:77).
Our enemies are not men. Our enemies are hate, fanaticism, violence. Our enemies are not men. If we kill men, with whom shall we live? (Hạnh, Parallax Press, 2019)
Conversely, positive things in the world also start from kind hearts; a person who is not suffering and has fewer illusions will find it easier to help others and create positive impacts. Valuable knowledge comes from a focused mind. Gestures of love and healing come from a mind with less pettiness and attachment to the ego.
…[T]he kind of suffering that you carry in your heart, that is society itself. You bring that with you, you bring society with you. You bring all of us with you. When you mediate, it is not just for yourself, you do it for the whole society. You seek solutions to your problems not only for yourself, but for all of us… Meditation is not an escape from society. Meditation is to equip oneself with the capacity to reintegrate into society, in order for the leaf to nourish the tree" (Hạnh, 1987:52,53) Quotes from Fuller, P. (2021)
To understand this suffering within ourselves and in the world, practicing meditation is also important because meditation helps us recognize what is happening in our minds and in the world.
To meditate is to be aware of what is going on. What was going on around us was the suffering of many people and the destruction of life. So we were motivated by the desire to do something to relieve the suffering within us and around us. - Good Citizens by Thich Nhat Hanh