The Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh states what appear to be contradictions, saying that ‘everything is only for one brief instant’ but also that ‘nothing can be created or destroyed’, and similarly that ‘we are all dying and being reborn at every moment’ but also that ‘nothing can be born, nothing can die’. The aim of this paper is to resolve these apparent contradictions concerning being and nonbeing and concerning birth and death. I analyse the ideas on being and nonbeing, and on birth and death, argue that in light of what these statements are intended to convey, the contradictions can be resolved, and point to what there is beyond being and nonbeing. The paper thus shows that, at least as far as these statements go, Thich Nhat Hanh’s metaphysical framework is consistent. In addition, it reveals a practical dimension that goes beyond being and nonbeing towards a middle way based on an insight into interbeing.
Mirja Annalena Holst (Wed,) studied this question.