Plum Village

Plum Village is a Buddhist monastery and meditation center located in Dordogne, France, founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1982, in collaboration with Sister Chan Khong and other Buddhist practitioners. The village is part of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and is associated with the Order of Interbeing, a Buddhist order founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1966, during the Vietnam War. The village has hosted numerous retreats and workshops led by prominent Buddhist teachers, including Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein, and Jack Kornfield. The village is also connected to other Buddhist centers, such as the Insight Meditation Society and the Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

History

The history of Plum Village is closely tied to the life and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a prominent Buddhist monk and peace activist who was exiled from Vietnam in 1966, after speaking out against the Vietnam War. During his exile, Thich Nhat Hanh traveled to the United States, where he met with prominent peace activists, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Daniel Berrigan. In the 1980s, Thich Nhat Hanh settled in France and established Plum Village, which quickly became a hub for Buddhist practice and peace activism. The village has hosted numerous retreats and conferences, including the 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions, which brought together religious leaders from around the world, including Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

Founding and Philosophy

The founding of Plum Village was inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, who emphasized the importance of mindfulness and compassion in daily life. The village is based on the principles of Engaged Buddhism, which seeks to apply Buddhist teachings to social and environmental issues, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The village is also influenced by the teachings of other prominent Buddhist masters, including Dogen Zenji and Shunryu Suzuki, who emphasized the importance of meditation and non-duality. The philosophy of Plum Village is closely tied to the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, a set of ethical guidelines developed by Thich Nhat Hanh and the Order of Interbeing, which emphasize the importance of non-violence, compassion, and social justice.

Practices and Traditions

The practices and traditions of Plum Village are centered around meditation, mindfulness, and community building. The village offers a variety of retreats and workshops, including meditation retreats, yoga retreats, and workshops on non-violent communication and conflict resolution. The village is also home to a number of Buddhist ceremonies and rituals, including the full moon ceremony and the new moon ceremony, which are led by Thich Nhat Hanh and other senior Buddhist teachers. The village is associated with other Buddhist centers, such as the San Francisco Zen Center and the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, which share similar practices and traditions.

Community and Organization

The community at Plum Village is diverse and international, with monks and nuns from around the world, including Vietnam, France, and the United States. The village is organized into several hamlets, each with its own meditation hall and community center. The village is also home to a number of Buddhist organizations, including the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and the Order of Interbeing, which are dedicated to promoting Buddhist practice and social justice. The village has partnerships with other Buddhist organizations, such as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, which share similar goals and values.

Notable Visitors and Events

Plum Village has hosted a number of notable visitors and events over the years, including Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Jane Goodall. The village has also hosted numerous conferences and workshops on topics such as peacebuilding, sustainability, and social justice. In 2014, the village hosted a climate change conference that brought together scientists, activists, and religious leaders from around the world, including Al Gore and Naomi Klein. The village has also been visited by prominent artists and musicians, including Joan Baez and Krishna Das, who have performed at the village's annual festival. The village is connected to other Buddhist centers and organizations, such as the Insight Meditation Society and the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, which share similar values and goals. Category:Buddhist monasteries