Thich Nhat Hanh arrives in Thailand

Thai Plum Village International Practice Center
17th December, 2016

Official announcement

The Thai Plum Village Sangha is delighted that our beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh was strong enough to travel to Thailand a week ago, arriving in the early morning on Saturday, December 10.

During his stay in Thailand, Thay will be residing in his thatched hut at Thai Plum Village International Practice Center, Pakchong, Nakornratchasima Province. Thay has an opportunity to rest and restore his health, near the beautiful mountains of the Khao Yai National Park, and surrounded by the practice energy of his students.

The purpose of this trip is primarily Thay’s health and wellbeing, and there are no plans for Thay to lead retreats, to join any particular sangha activities at the practice center, or indeed to receive any guests. This is to give Thay all the space and quiet he needs to support his health. Thay is receiving daily physical therapy and medical care, and is nourishing himself with his practice of mindful breathing, mindful eating, mindful exercise and so on. As his health permits, we hope that Thay may be able to join some sangha activities from time to time.

When Thay arrived at Thai Plum Village, our large fourfold sangha gathered to welcome him with love, deep respect, and joy. Thay eagerly directed his attendants to turn his wheelchair around so he could see everyone’s faces, and look into the eyes of each student, before he went into his hut to rest from the flight.

Here at Thai Plum Village we have just finished a retreat for healthcare providers, with about 140 participants (December 10 to 14 ). During the retreat, on December 11th, the sangha practiced walking meditation around the grounds after sitting meditation as usual, and we stopped to practice mindful movements close to Thay’s hut. Thay was sitting by the window watching us while his attendant giving him a hand massage. After we finished doing some exercise, the sangha all turned to bow to Thay, and he gently waved his hand in greeting.

From December 25 to January 1, we will host a retreat for core sangha members from the Asia-Pacific region. This is a joyful annual event for us to build community, deepen our practice, and mindfully celebrate Christmas and New Year together. This year, over 300 practitioners will join us from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. We regret to announce that we are already at full capacity for this retreat, and registration is now closed.

Thay always reminds us, as his students, to practice wherever we are: whether we’re at home, at school or at work. We invite you all to keep Thay in your hearts with every mindful step and mindful breath. This is a wonderful way to connect to Thay, and to send him our energy as a gift, as a medicine and as strength to support his recovery.

Thai Plum Village Sangha, in association with the Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (BIA) will be organizing a Day of Mindfulness in Plum Village Tradition on Tuesday, December 27 from 09h00 to 15h30, at the BIA (Railway Park, Bangkok). This event is part of a series of mindfulness events on the theme “New year, New Life…Following in the Footsteps of His Majesty King Bhumibol” The teachings and practices will be led by our senior Dharma Teacher from Plum Village France, Sister Chan Khong. You are warmly welcome to register to attend the event at: http://register.bia.or.th/

For more news of upcoming Days of Mindfulness and retreats led by the Thai Plum Village sangha, please visit www.thaiplumvillage.org, or contact us via:
Facebook: Thai Plum Village
Email: visitus@thaiplumvillage.org