Thich Nhat Hanh (1925-2022), also called Thay (a Vietnamese term for teacher), was an internationally recognized and loved Zen master best known for his key teaching that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live simply and happily in the present moment—the only way to truly develop peace, both in one’s self and in the world.
His simple, practical teachings can be found on twitter, facebook, youtube, and through his books such as “The Miracle Of Mindfulness,” “Peace is Every Step,” “At Home in the World,” “Teachings on Love,” “Silence,” and many more.
Plum Village, his original western practice center located near Bordeaux in southwest France, is where Thay realized his dream of building a Beloved Community: “a beautiful community – a happy community, with solidarity and capacity for activism and engagement.” Thay said every day our practice is to generate siblinghood, to cultivate joy and the capacity to help people.
One can attend retreats based on Thay’s teachings over zoom, at Plum Village, as well as many practice centers in the Plum Village tradition located throughout the world. If you are interested in Thay’s teachings, you can visit the international sangha directory to find a community of practitioners (sangha) near you. I practice with sanghas located on the tribal lands of the columbia river basin and columbia plateau, known as oregon and sw washington. You can find out more about our practice communities by visiting our website at: Many Rivers Sanghas.
I am fortunate to have studied and practiced with Thay since early 2000. He once said, “My life is my teaching, my life is my message.” I cannot imagine a better aspiration for my own life, in service and for the welfare of all beings _()_
nisi's corner 