“When war ends within us, then war ends. If everyone ends the war within oneself, then there are no seeds any longer from which war can grow.”
Zen Buddhist monk, Vietnam War veteran, author, and founder of the Zaltho Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1993, dedicated to the peaceful transformation of conflict, violence, and trauma in individuals and groups.
Claude AnShin Thomas was born in the United States in 1947. His childhood began his exposure to violence and abuse. At the age of 18, he volunteered to serve as a combat soldier, helicopter crew chief in the Vietnam War. Honourably discharged at the age of 20 and awarded numerous medals, including a Purple Heart. Today he states, he carries the responsibility for much death and destruction.
After his return to the US, he experienced years of unemployment, social isolation, violence, and addiction, battling severe post-traumatic stress. He began to walk a Buddhist path in 1990 leading to his full ordination as a Zen Buddhist Monk into the Japanese Soto Zen Tradition, in August of 1995.
Claude AnShin realizes that the roots of war are not particular within one group, but within each and every member of society. He also realizes that the acceptance of our own vulnerability, aggression, fear, and individual suffering is the starting point for healing, transformation, and peace.
Today Claude AnShin speaks publicly, leads retreats and meetings. He also visits religious and secular communities all over the world addressing this very important topic: The cultures of violence and how they can become transformed.
Claude AnShin is the author of two books: his award-winning memoir; At Hell’s Gate: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace and his new book, published 2021, Bringing Meditation to Life: 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice.
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