The never-before-told story of the friendship between Martin Luther King Jr. and Thich Nhat Hanh—icons who profoundly influenced each other and the world—unfolds through poignant moments. Following King’s assassination in 1968, Nhat Hanh expressed his grief in a letter to their mutual friend, Raphael Gould, lamenting the deep-rooted violence in society and the profound loss of hope King represented. Just a few years prior, Nhat Hanh had reached out to King with an open letter aimed at raising awareness for peace in Vietnam. This initiative led to their meetings in 1966 and 1967, where they forged not only a partnership in the peace movement but a deep friendship. Despite their different backgrounds and the conflicts between their nations, they connected over a shared vision of the Beloved Community—a concept King had long championed. Dr. King even nominated Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967, praising his humility, intellect, and transformative ideas for peace. Marc Andrus reveals how Nhat Hanh continued to embody and promote the legacy of the Beloved Community after King’s death, highlighting the significance of their bond in the fight for peace and understanding.
