The Soldier's Journey from War to Peace

Claude AnShin Thomas reads from his book “At Hell’s Gate: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace.” Captain Mike Simpson introduces Claude AnShin Thomas. KenShin Andersen assists Claude AnShin Thomas on stage.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

7:00 p.m.
IPJ Theatre

Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

The Venerable Claude AnShin Thomas speaks and leads retreats internationally on mindfulness practice, transformation and reconciliation. He is the author of the book At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace and is the founder of the Zaltho Foundation, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote peace and nonviolence in and among individuals, families, societies and countries.

Claude AnShin Thomas volunteered for active duty at the age of 18, when he served as a crew chief on assault helicopters in Vietnam.  By the end of his tour of duty, he had been awarded numerous medals, including 27 Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart. He witnessed horrifying cruelty, narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions and was responsible for the deaths of many Vietnamese.

When Thomas returned home he found, like many Vietnam veterans, that he continued to live in a state of war.   For years, Thomas struggled with severe post-traumatic stress, drug and alcohol addiction, isolation and even homelessness. Today, Thomas is a Zen Monk, an International Peace Activist, an Author and a Teacher in the United States, Europe and Asia.  He shares his inspiring spiritual odyssey from the horrors of combat to discovering the Buddhist path to healing.  Thomas' powerful story can serve as a road map for others who might feel trapped in cyclical patterns of response that are a fact of the trauma experience, regardless of the nature and extent of the trauma.

This event was co-sponsored by:
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, University of San Diego San Diego Veterans for Peace Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego