VIETNAMESE Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers journalists his ideas to bring harmony to troubled Thailand.

The bell rings three times and all of us in the small group of journalists are immediately mindful of the serene presence of Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, of his smile and of ourselves.

We are at the Plum Village Foundation's office in Nong Sarai, Nakhon Ratchasima, site of an international practice centre that's being set up, and enjoying a peaceful yet refreshing question-and-answer session with the 84-year-old monk.

Our first question regards the appropriate role for the media in conflicts and what journalists should do to restore balance in their working lives. Thay, meaning "master" in Vietnamese, takes a few slow breaths, and shares his experience.

"The first thing the journalist should do is to allow the strong emotions in him or her to be embraced by the energy of mindfulness," says the revered monk who is also a writer, poet and artist.

The suffering inside of the journalist reflects the suffering of the world. By understanding the suffering, the journalist can understand what other people are going through, he explains.

"Terrorists must have suffered deeply before feeling anger, hate and the need to punish. If journalists understand the nature of the suffering of the terrorists, they would be able to write a good report.

"A journalist can write the truth but in such a way that helps the readers to understand the situation. He must not be pulled away by anger, fear or despair. Because in everyone there is the seed of anger, fear, hate and despair. If we allow these seeds to be watered, we become the victims of fear and hate. That grows divisions, which are very dangerous to our situation as fear and hate become collective."

Thich also stresses that journalists should try to live their lives with peace, compassion and understanding. This will help them report on environmental issues.

"The journalist can embody the kind of simple and happy life that ensures the future of our planet. Journalists should not only talk and write about eco issues but organise their lives in such a way that they provide an example to others in showing that avoiding catastrophes is possible," he says.

It also helps if leaders of corporations know how to focus more on happiness than making profits.

"If you don't have happiness, then what is the use of making money? Employers and employees can combine work and communication with the feeling of brotherhood. By so doing, they'll be happy about what they are doing and help save the world."

Thich Nhat Hanh says he won't be bringing new doctrines to the Thailand arm of Plum Village Practice Centre, as all of his teaching is from the Buddha and thus already exists in the kingdom.

"Buddhism is a very precious heritage of this country and if you know how to dig more into the heritage, you can find many jewels that can be used to solve many problems in society," he says. "Theravada Buddhism in Thailand is very complete. You only have to go back deeply into your own traditions.

However, Buddhism in each tradition needs to be renewed from time to time, he said.

"The suffering that we encounter now is not exactly the same as in the time of the Buddha. This is why we have to adapt the teachings in such a way that they can resolve the new problems of society.

"Suan Mokkh and Venerable Buddhadasa renewed Buddhism in Thailand and that's what we are trying to do in Europe and in America."

Requested to give a New Year blessing for Thais, Thich Nhat Hanh pauses for a while then says, "Let us listen to each other. I think that is the most important practice now."

Once a person listens deeply inside himself, the suffering became less and understanding and compassion for others can happen.

"Top administrators can work with venerable monks and nuns in organising the kind of environment for peace and reconciliation. Invite all the conflict groups to come and give them the chance to be together, to listen to each other and to speak out about what is in their hearts," he says.

"In the first week, we should sit together, walk together, eat together, and release the tension in our bodies," says Thich Nhat Hanh, stressing there should be no talk about the problems during that period.

"And in the second week, we might ask one group to try to tell us about the suffering on their side. We will ask them to tell us everything in their heart but to try to refrain from insults or condemnation.

"If they promise to use language that tells the truth but does not condemn, then we will be able to broadcast what they say to the whole nation," he says. "And then we will ask the other group to speak out in the same way."

A third group not involved in the conflict must be invited to speak as well. Thich Nhat Hanh stresses that Buddhism is always about protection and reconciliation, not punishment.

"You might invite spiritual leaders not only from Buddhism but also from the Islam and Christian faiths to come for counselling. I think these actions can help promote reconciliation and national unity," he says.

"Listen to each other. And the New Year might be the opening for us to practice so we can have a really Happy New Year," says Thich Nhat Hanh, drawing the interview to a close.