In Good Citizens, Thich Nhat Hanh lays out the foundation for an
international solidarity movement based on a shared sense of compassion,
mindful consumption, and right action. Following these principles, he
believes, is the path to world peace. The book is based on our increased
global interconnectedness and subsequent need for harmonious
communication and a shared ethic to make our increasingly globalized
world a more peaceful place. The book will be appreciated by people of
all faiths and cultural backgrounds.
While based on the basic Buddhist teachings of the Four Noble Truths and
the Eight-Fold Path, Thich Nhat Hanh boldly leaves Buddhist terms behind
as he offers his contribution to the creation of a truly global and
nondenominational blueprint to overcoming deep-seated divisions and a
vision of a world in harmony and the preservation of the planet.
Key topics include the true root causes of discrimination; the
exploration of the various forms of violence; economic, social, and
sexual violence. He encourages the reader to practice nonviolence in all
daily interactions, elaborates on the practice of generosity, and
teaches the art of deep listening and loving speech to help reach a
compromise and reestablish communication after misunderstandings have
escalated into conflicts.
Good Citizens also contains a new wording of the Five Mindfulness
Trainings (traditionally called precepts) for lay practitioners,
bringing them in line with modern-day needs and realities. In their new
form they are concrete and practical guidelines of ethical conduct that
can be accepted by all traditions.
Good Citizens also includes the complete text of the UN Manifesto
2000, a declaration of transforming violence and creating a culture of
peace for the benefit of the children of the world. It was drafted by
numerous Peace Nobel Prize recipients and signed by over 100 million
people worldwide.
Coinciding with a US presidential election year, Good Citizens reaches
across all political backgrounds and faith traditions. It shows that
dualistic thinking--Republican/Democrat, Christian/Muslim--creates
tension and a false sense of separateness. When we realize that we share
a common ethic and moral code, we can create a community that can change
the world.
