The Making of a Buddhist Superstar with Alexander Soucy
Alexander Soucy, a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s University, delves into the trajectory of Thích Nhất Hạnh’s rise to international prominence.
Before his exile from Vietnam in 1966, Thích Nhất Hạnh remained relatively unknown, despite his prolific contributions to an important Buddhist journal in the 1950s.
Alexander explores how Thích Nhất Hạnh’s encounter with prominent figures in the American peace movement, particularly Alfred Hassler from the Fellowship of Reconciliation, catalyzed his emergence onto the global stage.
Drawing from his extensive research and fieldwork in Vietnam, Alexander contextualizes Thích Nhất Hạnh’s life within the broader developments of Buddhism in Vietnam over the last century and the globalization of Buddhism.
With a nuanced understanding of Vietnamese Buddhism and its intersections with global dynamics, Alexander Soucy sheds light on Thích Nhất Hạnh’s journey from obscurity to becoming a renowned advocate for peace and mindfulness worldwide.
