s angha N EWS

Sangha News

photo courtesy of monastic sangha

The Realization of a Dream to marry, she would ask whether he had fulfilled his time in the
temple. If not, she would refuse his offer. Now people come to
Thich Nhat Hanh began his last Dharma talk at the Path of the the temple for a shorter period, but that service still exists. We
Buddha retreat by speaking about the EIAB. hope that in the future in every country there will be an institute
It has been Thay’s dream to set up an Institute of Applied that will train young people before they can marry, because
Buddhism in the West, and now the dream has been realized. they will have a much better chance to have a happy family life.
We have created the European Institute of Applied Buddhism Because there are so many families broken by divorce, we must
[EIAB] in Germany, very close to Cologne. It is in the heart of offer that course everywhere.
Europe. There is a monastic community and a lay community We also offer a twenty-one-day course for children who have
taking care of the Institute and offering retreats and courses on difficulties with their parents, and one for parents who don’t
Applied Buddhism. If you are a Dharma teacher in Europe or know how to communicate with their children. And we offer a
America, you might be inspired to go there and teach a course. course for both parents and children to practice together. We of-
You can bring your children and your students. There will be fer a course for people who have recently discovered they have
many students there from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, an incurable disease like cancer or AIDS, and one for those who
Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and so on. You can get more informa- are grieving from the loss of a loved one. We will also offer a
tion about it by visiting their website, www.eiab.eu. course on how to set up and lead a local Sangha.
Unlike other institutes, there is a permanent Sangha always The Buddhism taught at the Institute of Applied Buddhism is
practicing there. At the EIAB, the residential community not a religion, but a way of life, a way of transformation and
embodies the teaching and the practice. It is the most important healing.
feature of the Institute. Whether you are in Dharma discussion,
listening to a talk or practicing sitting or eating, there is always I think our spiritual ancestors and our blood ancestors have
a strong Sangha present to support you. prepared this place for us in Germany. There is a lot of land,
with many trees and clean air. The people in the town like us
We want the teaching of Buddhism to be applied to many areas and are glad we have come. They support us, bringing gifts
of life, so a variety of courses are offered. There is a twenty- to the monastics. The building can hold 500 retreatants. Thay
one-day course for young people who are planning to marry, intends to organize a gathering of Dharma teachers there from
to help them learn practices and to gain insight that will make Asia, Europe, and North America to stay together for one week.
their commitment successful. This course has roots in the They will sit and walk together, drink tea together and reflect on
history of Buddhism. Traditionally, in Buddhist countries like how to make the teaching and practice relevant to our times. So,
Thailand, a young man had to come and practice in a temple for please, if you are a Dharma teacher, you might like to come to
a year before marrying. It’s like military service, but instead, that retreat at the Institute, probably two years from now.
this is spiritual service. Even the prince had to do it, or he
would not be qualified to be king. When a man asked a woman

42 Autumn 2009
 sangha NEWS

The Meanings of Engaged and

Applied Buddhism

First was born the term, “Engaged Buddhism.” Engaged Bud-

dhism means that you practice all day without interruption, in
the midst of your family, your community, your city, and your Give from the Heart
society. The way you walk, the way you look, the way you sit The European Institute of Applied Buddhism
inspires people to live in a way that peace, happiness, joy and
brotherhood are possible in every moment.
Following is an excerpt from a fundraising letter by Thay Phap
The term Engaged Buddhism was born when the war in Viet An on behalf of the monastics residing at the European Institute
Nam was very intense. To meditate is to be aware of what is go- of Applied Buddhism (EIAB). To read the complete letter, view
ing on, and what was happening then was bombs falling, people photos of construction at EIAB, see the course catalogue, or make
being wounded and dying: suffering and the destruction of life. a contribution, please visit www.eiab.eu.
You want to help relieve the suffering, so you sit and walk in the
midst of people running from bombs. You learn how to practice
19 June 2009
mindful breathing while you help care for a wounded child. If
you don’t practice while you serve, you will lose yourself and Dear Beloved Sangha,
you will burn out.
In September 2008, more than twenty brothers and sisters were
When you are alone, walking or sitting or drinking your tea or sent to Germany from Plum Village to set up the European
making your breakfast, that is also Engaged Buddhism, because Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB). This has been a dream
you are doing that not only for yourself, you are doing that in of Thay’s since he was a young novice. His wish is to bring the
order to help preserve the world. This is interbeing. teaching of the Buddha into every aspect of our lives. Bud-
dhism should not only be theoretical, but it should be practical
Engaged Buddhism is practice that penetrates into every aspect
and we should be able to apply it in transforming the suffering
of our world. Applied Buddhism is a continuation of engaged
of individuals, families, and society. At the EIAB, we will have
Buddhism.  Applied Buddhism means that Buddhism can be ap-
courses for new couples who are getting married, for parents
plied in every circumstance in order to bring understanding and
and children who wish to reconcile, for police officers, psycho-
solutions to problems in our world. Applied Buddhism offers
therapists, teachers, and businesspeople.
concrete ways to relieve suffering and bring peace and happi-
ness in every situation. The EIAB building has the capacity of hosting 400-500 people.
The military operated the building from 1967-2006 and they
When President Obama gave a talk at the University of Cairo,
have their own set of fire safety regulations. As the EIAB, the
he used loving speech in order to release tension between
building is considered to be in civilian use, and the authori-
America and the Islamic world. He was using the Buddhist
ties have a very different set of fire safety regulations for this
practice of loving speech: speaking humbly, recognizing the
purpose. In addition, many water pipes are now old and rusty,
values of Islam, recognizing the good will on the part of Islamic
and together with our now out-of-date kitchen, they no longer
people, and identifying terrorists as a small number of people
meet the public health standards. We also need to repair our old
who exploit tension and misunderstanding between people.
heating system due to many leakages, and more importantly,
The practice of relieving tension in the body is Applied Bud- to make it more energy efficient and ecologically friendly. To
dhism because the tension accumulated in our body will bring house the intended number of people, we would also need to
about sickness and disease. The sutra on mindful breathing, build many more public toilets and showers.
presented in 16 exercises, is Applied Buddhism. We should be
In the last nine months, a team of experts that includes archi-
able to apply the teaching of mindful breathing everywhere – in
tects, engineers and technicians have looked carefully into this
our family, in our school, in the hospital, and so on. Buddhism
matter, and we now know that we would have to spend at least
is not just for Buddhists. Buddhism is made up of non-Buddhist
3 million Euros for half of the building to be functional and
elements.
open to the public. The EIAB is not allowed to be opened to the
So please offer your help because the European Institute of public under current conditions, and the brothers and sisters are
Applied Buddhism is our dream. Find out how you can help only given temporary permission to stay in a small restricted
make this dream come true. Next June we will have a seven-day area of this building until January 2010. This means that we
retreat there. have to raise 3 million Euros as soon as possible in order to
proceed with the construction work and have it completed by
—Thich Nhat Hanh the end of 2009.
Plum Village, 21 June 2009
Last night, I was thinking about how we can raise this big
amount of money in such a short time. I evoked the name of

the Mindfulness Bell 43

s angha N EWS

the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion to ask for her help, and Causes and Conditions
for the whole night, I thought about my international beloved
community – brothers and sisters and friends that I have come Prajna Monastery, in Viet Nam’s central highlands, houses more
to know in my 18 years as a monk. I thought that if each of than 350 monks and nuns who have chosen to practice accord-
our friends, families, or local Sanghas everywhere in the world ing to the Plum Village tradition under the guidance of Thich
would give a contribution of 500 Euros, then with 6,000 such Nhat Hanh. They are all between the ages of sixteen and thirty-
contributions, we would meet our urgent need of raising 3 mil- five. Since Thay’s first return to Viet Nam in 2005 his teachings
lion Euros by the end of this year. I am writing this letter to our have inspired dozens of young Vietnamese to ordain as monks
friends all over the world so that you know about our situation. and nuns. The Venerable Abbot Thich Duc Nghi offered the
I have a deep trust in our beloved community. I know that if I Prajna monastery as a home for the new monks and nuns.
communicate our difficulties to you, we will receive your help. Over the next few years, the number of aspirants and lay
practitioners quickly multiplied, and Prajna needed to expand.
The EIAB is a vision not only for the European community but Supporters from many countries donated funds to renovate
also for the international community. We sincerely ask for your buildings, build new structures, and buy adjacent land for the
practice of generosity to help to make the EIAB a reality for growing community.
the cultivation of love and understanding for all of us, and our
children. During Thay’s next visits to his homeland in 2007 and 2008, he
met with government officials, including the president of Viet
— Thay Phap An
On behalf of the brothers and sisters of the EIAB Nam. Thay proposed that the nation open its doors to visitors,
strengthen ties with other countries, and reduce its dependency
on China. He presented a ten-point proposal to the president.
All of his suggestions were adopted by the government except
the last one, “to dissolve the religious police and the religious
affairs bureau.” In a letter explaining recent events, Sister Chan
Khong writes, “It seems that difficulties at Prajna can be traced
Help Prajna Monastery back to this point.” She explains that Thich Duc Nghi was under
pressure from the immigration office to expel Plum Village
Just as a flower garden may experience heavy winds and severe monks and nuns from Prajna, even those who had a valid visa.
rainstorms as it grows, the Sangha body can encounter very
difficult conditions as it blooms in awakening. In recent months, In 2008 Thich Duc Nghi asked the police to evict the 379
young monks and nuns at Prajna (Bat Nha) Monastery in Viet monastics living at Prajna. By the end of that year, a report from
Nam have faced adverse conditions – including police inter- the Vietnamese Buddhist Church directed the monks and nuns
rogations, violent attacks, and threats of eviction. Yet they have to leave by April 2009.
continued to blossom.
In a letter to his students, Thay writes that “this was not about
an internal struggle over a temple, but it was the result of a
delusion: that the presence of Prajna may
photos by David Nelson
be a threat to national security, because the
monastics at Prajna… want to do politics.”
He likens this perception to a painting
drawn in the air – purely a projection.
“Now everyone around the world is able to
see that the monks and the nuns and the as-
pirants at Prajna only do one thing. That is:
to practice and to guide others to practice.”

Wrong perceptions of the monastics have

led to violence. A letter from the monastics
of Prajna testifies: “Groups of men were
ordered to throw the belongings of young
monks out in the hallway. Gates to the
monastery have been locked so that lay
friends could not enter. Some monks and
nuns have been chased with life-threaten-
ing objects.” Police came to the monastery
frequently, searching and questioning the
monks and nuns, and asking them to sign
a statement that they were living there
44 Autumn 2009
 sangha NEWS

have come here to take over the build-

ing and the land. They are victims of
wrong information, and they need
help more than punishment.” He
encouraged his brother to sit in medi-
tation and master the anger in him.
A few days later, the novice realized
that if he had answered violence with
violence, he would have “destroyed
the great example set by the Buddha
and by Thay.”

How We Can Help

The world’s eyes are on Prajna

Monastery. Articles about Prajna and
Scenes of Prajna Monastery in happier times, March 2007 “Plum Village style practice” have ap-
peared in newspapers from the United
Kingdom to New Zealand. World-
illegally. Sister Chan Khong writes that the monastics “always wide, Sangha members are concerned, confused, and wondering
used gentle speech toward the police and even offered them tea how to help.
and songs to relieve their tension.”
A blog titled www.helpbatnha.org features written accounts,
On June 26, monastic huts were torn down in an attack. Elec- letters, photo galleries, and a history of events at Prajna. It also
tricity, water, and phone lines were shut off, and food deliveries demonstrates the resilient spirits of practitioners there. One
were blocked. An e-mail from a western visitor describes video photo shows a makeshift outdoor kitchen, with the caption:
footage of the event: “An out-of-control crowd swarmed over “The monks find ways to make do with hearts unperturbed.”
the grounds… taking things from the rooms, as uniformed po- Another picture shows a barricade of tree branches, with the
lice watched and did nothing.” As of mid-August the monastics words: “This pile of trees may block our path, but it can never
were still without electricity and water. block our understanding and compassion.”

A Chance to Practice The monastics have called for help from the international com-
munity so that they can practice in safety and peace. They “can-
For the monastics, these events have offered a chance to prac- not just find another place to relocate, since there are almost
tice mindfulness, solidity, and equanimity – to abide in stillness, 400 monks and nuns. Moreover, it is not likely that the monks
even in the heart of turmoil. and nuns would be left in peace to practice, even if we were to
relocate. Thus, we entrust our protection in our spiritual ances-
In a letter dated July 20, Thay reassures his students at Prajna tors and in you.”
and everywhere: “Thay has confidence that you can behave true
to the Dharma in challenging and difficult circumstances. The To help the young monks and nuns at Prajna, Sangha members
day Thay received the news that people invaded your monastic can write letters to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, sign
residence… throwing out your belongings, pushing whoever a petition at www.helpbatnha.org, inform news organizations
got in their way, and going to the third floor only to find all of and human rights groups, and sit with local Sanghas, sending
you doing sitting meditation, evoking the Bodhisattva of Deep support and compassion to all those affected by the events at
Listening Avalokiteshvara in the imperturbable posture, and not Prajna Monastery.
trying to react or fight back, Thay knew that you were able to do
— Natascha Bruckner
what Thay has hoped for, and there is no more reason for Thay
to be worried about you.”

Thay’s letter recounts the story of a Prajna novice trained in Sources:

martial arts. In response to the attack, the young brother “asked * AP news, Ben Stocking, “Vietnam’s dispute with Zen master turns
his mentor for permission to handle those men. ‘Please al- violent,” August 1, 2009
low me to quit being a monk. I cannot bear it anymore. I only * Email from OI member True Concentration on Peace, July 2009
need fifteen minutes to defeat all those gangsters. After that, if * New Zealand Herald, Margaret Neighbour, “Monks evicted from
needed, I will go to prison... when I finish my term, I will return monastery in row with government,” August 5, 2009
to be a monk again.’” His mentor responded with compassion. * www.helpbatnha.org
“Dear brother, don’t call those young people gangsters…. they
were misinformed. They are thinking that we are gangsters who

the Mindfulness Bell 45

b ook R E VI EWS

Clear a lovely song just as it is.

Peaceful I had the good fortune of participating in a singing

Moon circle with Joseph at the Path of the Buddha retreat this
past June at Plum Village. On our last lazy day, Joseph
Songs inspired by came to Lower Hamlet and about twenty of us sat on
the poetry of Thich
the veranda of the meditation hall while Joseph led us
Nhat Hanh
with his guitar.
By Joseph Emet
Parallax Press My favorite moment came while we were singing “Re-
member”:
CD, 47 minutes

Reviewed by Janelle Remember the time when, a white cloud, you were
Combelic floating in the sky and I, a wandering stream, used
to sing on my way to the wide ocean.
This is a new release from the creator of the beloved
After we had learned the song, Joseph instructed us to
collection A Basket of Plums. Joseph Emet is a Dharma
turn to the person next to us, and sing it to each other. It
teacher who lives in Montreal and writes beautiful songs
wasn’t long before my partner and I had tears in our eyes.
in both English and French, all inspired by the words of
Somehow, for that moment, we truly remembered being
Thich Nhat Hanh.
a cloud, being a stream flowing to the ocean.
This new collection includes an old favorite that I heard
Newcomers to our practice often wonder at the childlike
at Plum Village many years ago and always loved for its
songs we enjoy. But music opens the heart in a way noth-
whimsical lilting tune. The words evoke the delights of
ing else can. Almost everyone can sing. Simple songs
walking meditation:
connect us to one another — and to our inner child’s
The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this joyous heart.
lovely path I walk in peace.

With each step a gentle wind blows, with each step

a flower blooms.
Mindful Living
In his note about this song Joseph writes that he “saw this
gatha of Thay’s printed on the back of a friend’s calling Every Day
card a long time ago.” Practicing in the Tradition of
Thich Nhat Hanh
Most of these songs are practice songs, meant to be sung
A film by David M. Nelson
with a Sangha — or perhaps alone in the car or while
walking. The arrangements are simple and sweet, show- Parallax Press
casing the clear voices of Emily M. King, Jean Monpetit, DVD, 120 minutes
and the Skylarks, a women’s ensemble from the Pine Gate
Sangha in Ottawa. But when I actually sing them with Reviewed by Barbara Casey
others they come alive.

At the June 21-day retreat at Plum Village in 2006, Joseph

A few Sundays ago, nine of us gathered to enjoy a
taught us to sing “Waking Up This Morning”:
morning of mindfulness. After sitting and walking out-
Waking up this morning I see the blue sky. side, we watched Mindful Living Every Day: Practicing
in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, the new film that
I join my hands in thankfulness for the many wonders introduces Plum Village style practice in a fresh and
of life. beautiful way. Produced and filmed by David Nelson,
and written by Nelson and the Plum Village monastics,
It is especially beautiful as a round. A friend and I tried the deep, mindful energy of this film conveys the teach-
to teach it at the monastic retreat in Estes Park last year, ings impeccably. After the viewing, every person present
and failed laughingly at making it into a round. But it’s wanted his or her own copy.

46 Autumn 2009
 book REVIEWS

The narration in this forty-minute film is shared by sev-

eral monks and nuns. The scenes of Plum Village life, In the Footsteps of the Buddha
children in the Netherlands, and practitioners in Vietnam and other journeys
and the U.S. bring variety, interest, and light-heartedness
to the presentation. The narrator begins the film explain- Pilgrimages with Dharmacharya Shantum Seth
ing that we practice the art of mindful living, and that across India and South Asia
mindfulness reveals love, which makes us free. From
there, the first section of seventeen short chapters offers Buddhapath journeys have been
simple teachings on stopping, mindful breathing, sit- highly acclaimed for over 20
ting and walking meditation, working and eating. Later,
years. Now offering mindful and
simple teachings on interbeing, how to water good seeds,
transforming feelings, the Five Mindfulness Trainings,
transformative journeys in all
and Beginning Anew are offered. ‘Eleven Directions’. Dh. Shantum Seth

The photos include Plum Village sunrises, children play- "With each step and breath the Buddha comes alive.
ing, practitioners exercising, walking, and working, and Shantum's knowledge, insight and humor brings joy
Thay inviting the bell. Each chapter is introduced with to those journeying with him in the footsteps of the
Thay’s calligraphy, and occasional cartoons illustrate Buddha."
teachings as well. -Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master
Already this film has brought great happiness to our Contact us at:
Sangha, and to friends and family of our Sangha mem-
bers. One Sangha member is passing her copy to her
[email protected]
children and grandchildren. Another member invited a [email protected]
friend and her thirteen-year-old son to watch it, after dish-
ing out bowls of ice cream. She reported that they all sat
www.buddhapath.com
in silence at the end, ice cream melting in the bowls. www.elevendirections.com
This may be the best method I know to share the simple
practices and the deep, transformative energy of mindful- Mindfulness Bell 3.5” x 4.75
ness in a widely appealing way. A deep bow of gratitude
to David Nelson for this Sangha-building tool.
Bonus feature: Each of My Steps Is a Prayer. A docu-
mentary of Thich Nhat Hanh’s pilgrimage to his home-
land Vietnam after over 40 years in exile.
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
in UK in 2010
Global ethics for our future
photo by Carlos del Rio

London, England (location TBA)

11 August 2010

Living Mindfully, Living Peacefully

A family retreat at
East Midlands Conference Centre,
Nottingham University, Nottingham, England
13 – 18 August 2010

For more information:

[email protected] or www.tnheventsuk.org.uk

the Mindfulness Bell 47

mindfulness BEL L

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48 Autumn 2009