International peace activist, author, and Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh meditated in Copley Square Sunday.

Hanh meditated in front of a crowd of about 2,000.

When the 86-year-old Hanh was introduced to the audience, he began by saying nothing for 25 minutes.

Hanh’s appearance in Boston was a major occasion for the local Buddhist community; it is the only New England stop on his US tour.

Carol Hudgins of Cincinnati, Jim Piermarini Jr. of Amesbury, and Drew Amabile of Cambridge meditated along with Hanh.

The silence was interrupted only when Hanh would encourage the audience to breathe in and out and meditate on a feeling.