Plum Village Tradition

Plum Village Tradition. It is a contemporary school of Engaged Buddhism founded by the Vietnamese Thích Nhất Hạnh. The tradition is centered on the practice of mindfulness in daily life and is headquartered at Plum Village Monastery in the Dordogne region of France. It has grown into a global network of practice centers and lay communities, known for adapting traditional Buddhist teachings for the modern world.

Origins and Founder

The tradition was formally established in 1982 when Thích Nhất Hạnh, along with his colleague Chân Không, founded Plum Village Monastery in southwest France. Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Zen master and peace activist, was exiled from Vietnam for his anti-war stance during the Vietnam War. His earlier work included founding the School of Youth for Social Service in Vietnam and being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr.. The creation of Plum Village Monastery provided a base for his community, the Order of Interbeing, which he had founded in 1966. This period followed his involvement with the Vietnamese Buddhist peace delegation during the Paris Peace Accords.

Core Teachings and Practices

Central teachings are encapsulated in the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing. The tradition emphasizes mindfulness practices such as walking meditation and eating meditation, often conducted in silence. Key concepts include interbeing, a term coined by Thích Nhất Hạnh to describe profound interconnectedness, and applied ethics through the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Practices are drawn from both Thiền (Vietnamese Buddhism) and classic texts like the Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing. The tradition also utilizes Dharma talks and the bell of mindfulness to cultivate present-moment awareness.

Global Community and Monasteries

The international community, known as the Plum Village Sangha, includes monastic and lay members worldwide. Major monastic practice centers, called Dharma centers, include Blue Cliff Monastery in New York, Deer Park Monastery in California, and European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Germany. In Asia, key centers are Magnolia Grove Monastery and the Thai Plum Village. These centers host retreats and ordination programs, fostering a network connected to the mother monastery in France. The community publishes through Parallax Press and disseminates teachings via the Plum Village App.

Engaged Buddhism and Social Action

The tradition is a leading proponent of Engaged Buddhism, applying mindfulness to societal issues. This is expressed through organized initiatives like the Wake Up movement for young adults and international retreats for educators, business leaders, and politicians. Thích Nhất Hạnh and the community have actively addressed climate change, advocating for a Plant-based diet and sustainable living. The practice of Beginning Anew is used for conflict resolution, and the tradition has conducted peace walks in places like Israel and Palestine.

Influence and Legacy

Thích Nhất Hạnh's writings, such as The Miracle of Mindfulness, have profoundly influenced Western mindfulness movements, including Mindfulness-based stress reduction. His teachings have reached figures like Oprah Winfrey and impacted corporate training at Google through the Search Inside Yourself program. The tradition has inspired similar communities, including the Community of Mindful Living and the work of Sister Chan Khong. Following Thích Nhất Hạnh's death in 2022, leadership transitioned to the Dharma Teacher Council, ensuring the continuation of his legacy through the global Sangha.

Category:Buddhist organizations Category:Mahayana Buddhist traditions