My Master’s Robe: Memories of a Novice Monk

Zen Master, poet, and peace and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh was born in central Vietnam in 1926 and joined the monkhood at the age of sixteen. Written by the author in his late twenties, My Master’s Robe is set in the heart of a peaceful monastery that is surrounded by war during the years from 1942-1947. These stories give insight into the young novice’s life and experiences that helped shape him into the wise spiritual leader he would grow to become.
These stories first appeared in Phat Giao Buddhist Magazine between 1956 and 1959. The stories were collected in a book titled Tinh Nguoi (Vietnamese) and published in 1964 by La Boi Press, Saigon. Tinh nguoi means “humanity” and the stories are about just that—humanity in the midst of war and violence.
In this little book we see how the pure love of a teacher can fill the young monk’s heart with a deep aspiration to devote his life to serving those who suffer in the world. We can all train ourselves in love by learning the way to listen deeply in order to understand the situation and the suffering of the one we consider to be our enemy, and we can train ourselves to speak lovingly. These stories can help inspire and guide us as we train and practice.