Thomas Merton was a contemplative Trappist monk and a widely acclaimed writer on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights, nonviolence, and the nuclear arms race.  He was an early, influential voice in the movement for non-violence and civil rights in the 1950's and 1960's.  The Seven Storey Mountain, an autobiography written early in his life, has sold over one million copies and has been translated into twenty-eight languages.  Merton wrote over sixty other books and hundreds of poems and articles.

During his last years, Merton became deeply interested in Asian religions, particularly Zen Buddhism, and in promoting dialogue between the East and West.  He died in Thailand at a conference on Eastern faiths in 1968.  His obituary was printed on the front page of the New York Times.

The Dalai Lama on Thomas Merton: "More striking than his outward appearance, which is memorable itself, was the inner life that he manifested.  I could see he was a truly humble and deeply spiritual man.  This was the first time I had been struck by such a feeling of spirituality in anyone who professed Christianity..."  ("Freedom from Exile, page 189)

Thomas Merton on Thich Nhat Hanh: "Thich Nhat Hanh is more my brother than many who are nearer to me in race and nationality, because he and I see things the exact same way."

Merton quotes on peace and nonviolence