Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, and author widely regarded as one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Born in Hue, Vietnam, he became a monk at sixteen before playing a leading role in efforts to reconcile Buddhism with modern life during the Vietnam War, work that led Martin Luther King Jr. to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. He rose to international acclaim with more than 100 books, including The Miracle of Mindfulness, Peace Is Every Step, and No Mud, No Lotus, works that helped introduce the practice of mindfulness to a global, largely secular audience. Exiled from Vietnam for decades due to his peace activism, he founded Plum Village in France, a monastery and mindfulness practice center that grew into one of the largest and most influential Buddhist communities in the Western world. Widely credited as one of the key figures who brought mindfulness meditation into mainstream Western culture, his gentle teachings on presence, compassion, and interconnection influenced generations of readers, therapists, and spiritual teachers alike. Known for his serene, accessible voice and unflinching commitment to peace and mindful living, Thich Nhat Hanh's work continues to shape modern mindfulness practice and inspire readers across the world.