He's been a Buddhist monk for more than 60 years, as well as a teacher, writer, and vocal opponent of war—a stance that left him exiled from his native Vietnam for four decades. Now, the man Martin Luther King Jr. called "an apostle of peace and nonviolence" sits down with Oprah for a wide-ranging conversation, including what the life of a Buddhist monk is like.

Thich Nhat Hanh says he realized he wanted to be a Buddhist monk at age 7. Watch as he shares how his parents reacted and why that deep desire, what he calls the beginner's mind, is still very much alive in him today:



Then, Thich Nhat Hanh shares whether he regrets giving up marriage and children, and reveals why his life's mission brings him joy and peace:




Read Oprah's full interview with Thich Nhat Hanh