Learning from Thích Nhất Hạnh
In January 2024, Thích Nhất Hạnh (Thầy)—the teacher of mindful living and founder of Plum Village—will be celebrated as the Fifth Ancestor of Từ Hiếu root temple and the First Ancestor of the Plum Village Sangha. For more information and details about the virtual livestreams of these ceremonies, please visit plumvillage.org.
The past two years have been significant for the Plum Village tradition. In that time, monastics and lay practitioners from our international community, Thầy’s continuation body, have strengthened their commitments to the teachings and shown with both enthusiasm and reverence that mindful, nonviolent action is possible in every way that we show up in our daily lives.
We invite you to learn more about Thầy’s life and the spiritual roots of Plum Village through Thầy’s books, which continue to be some of his most accessible offerings.
Recommended Reading
Full biography of Thích Nhất Hạnh on PlumVillage.org
The following three books written by Thích Nhất Hạnh provide insight into his life in Vietnam, beginning as a novice monk. To make these titles more accessible, we are happy to offer a 30% discount on the physical books and ebooks through January 31, 2024. Please use code TNH2024 at checkout.
We will offer free, virtual, one-hour book club discussions for each of the recommended books below. We have two sessions for each book to accommodate our friends all over the world. Please register to attend. Our discussions will not be recorded.
My Master’s Robe
Written in Thích Nhất Hạnh’s late twenties as a novice monk, My Master’s Robe is set in the heart of the Từ Hiếu root temple, surrounded by war during the years 1942-1947.
Book Club: January 4th, 8:30 am PT and January 5th, 9:00 am ICT
Fragrant Palm Leaves
Thích Nhất Hạnh’s collected journals from 1962 to 1966 chronicle the first-hand experiences of the Zen master as a young man in both the United States and Vietnam, and detail the first practice center Thầy founded during the war.
Book Club: January 11th, 8:30 am PT and January 12th, 9:00 am ICT (Jan 11 6:00 pm PT)
Cultivating the Mind of Love
Thích Nhất Hạnh’s shares a most unusual Dharma teaching: the story of his first love. He pairs heartfelt moments in his own life in Đà Lạt with insightful commentaries on classic Buddhist teachings.
Book Club: January 18th, 8:30 am PT and January 19th, 9:00 am ICT (Jan 18 6:00 pm PT)
From the First Ordained Monastics
Thích Nhất Hạnh’s International Plum Village Tradition has been revolutionary in fully ordaining nuns and granting them status, voice, and influence equal to that of monks. In fact, the first three disciples ordained by Thầy were nuns: Sister Chân Không, Sister Chân Đức, and Sister Chân Vị.
Sister Chân Không and Sister Chân Đức share their experiences in the following two books, which are available at a 30% discount through January 31, 2024. Please use code TNH2024 at checkout.
Learning True Love
Sister Chân Không’s moving personal memoir provides an overview to the development of the European and American peace and human rights movement and an introduction to the engaged and practical style of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Learning True Love documents the process that brought an end to the war in Vietnam, and gives a lively summary of Vietnamese history from 1945 to the current political, social, and spiritual climate in Vietnam.
True Virtue
Sister Chân Đức’s autobiography shares the trials and joys of her lifelong search for spiritual community. True Virtue is a timeless testament to the importance of spiritual exploration, and offers a unique perspective on Plum Village.
The Mindfulness Bell
The Mindfulness Bell is an inspiration and teaching resource for those practicing mindfulness in daily life. Each issue features a teaching by Thích Nhất Hạnh.
Also included are stories and teachings by teachers and students in the Plum Village lineage, based on the author’s direct experience of transformation through the practice of mindfulness. Instead of giving academic or intellectual views, the teachings emphasize simple and successful ways to transform the difficulties and limitations in our lives so that each day becomes an experience of peace, happiness, and freedom.
Issue 89: Thích Nhất Hạnh Memorial
The Mindfulness Bell is offering the 2022 memorial issue at a 30% discount through January 31, 2024. Please use code TNH2024 at checkout.
Honoring Thầy’s transformation with a curated collection of highlights from the memorial ceremonies; teachings from Thích Nhất Hạnh on death, impermanence, and interbeing; and reflections and recollections of Thầy from elder monastics, lay Dharma teachers, and friends. Articles are also available on The Mindfulness Bell website.
Upcoming Issue: The Goodwill of Our Ancestors
Issue 93 reflects on continuation, touching the ancestral stream, and feeling connected with the deep, rich Plum Village lineage, Thích Nhất Hạnh’s lineage, including the importance of the many ceremonies remembering and honoring Thầy’s passing and what it means that Thầy is our ancestral teacher. New articles will also be published weekly on The Mindfulness Bell website.
More from Thích Nhất Hạnh
How to Smile is the most recent book in the Mindfulness Essentials series. This small yet mighty book offers the revolutionary practice of transforming our suffering as true peace work.
Joyfully Together contains a wealth of ideas, thoughts, and practical suggestions on how to live happily with other people and solve conflicts. The wisdom is drawn from ancient Buddhist traditions and is easily adaptable for use by families, religious communities, cities, and large organizations like the United Nations.
No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thích Nhất Hạnh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.