By Adam Grant
In 1945 Thich received the 10 precepts of a Buddhist novice. A couple years later, he was sent to stay at the Bao Quoc Institute of Buddhist Studies, located nearby in Hue. Influenced by progressive Buddhist magazines, Thich was beginning to feel that a change towards a more “socially conscious” Buddhism was needed, meaning more work towards transforming the broader environment and conditions in society. Thich devoted his life to this great endeavor of "Engaged Buddhism."
Thich spent some years writing high-profile articles to reinvigorate Vietnamese Buddhism and remind Vietnam of the strength of its Buddhist heritage. The articles were very influential and popular in Vietnam. The next year he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of Vietnamese Buddhism, the magazine of the National Buddhist Association, and penned many articles to bolster community and camaraderie between Buddhists in the communist North Vietnam and those in the US-allied South.
