10/03/2026
"I asked the leaf whether it was frightened because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling.
The leaf told me,
”No. During the whole spring and summer, I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree. I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all. As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, 'I will see you again very soon.'”
That day, there was a wind blowing and, after a while, I saw the leaf leave the branch and float down to the soil, dancing joyfully. It was so happy.
I bowed my head, knowing that I have a lot to learn from the leaf.
So please look and you will see that you have always been here. Let us look together and pe*****te into the life of a leaf, so we may be one with the leaf. Let us pe*****te and be one with everything, to realize our own nature and be free from fear. If we look very deeply, we will transcend birth and death.
Tomorrow, I will continue to be. But you will have to be very attentive to see me. I will be a flower, or a leaf. I will be in these forms and I will say hello to you. If you are attentive enough, you will recognize me, and you may greet me. I will be very happy."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
