Each week, you will explore key moments in Thay’s life, learning how he transformed challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth.
Dharma Talks: Engage with weekly Dharma talks by Brother Pháp Lưu at Deer Park Monastery, each focusing on a pivotal period in Thay’s life and the evolution of his teachings.
Exclusive Interviews: Listen to interviews with those who knew Thay closely, including Sister Chân Đức, Sister Định Nghiêm, Brother Pháp Dung, and peace activists who were with Thay in the 60s and 70s, offering personal insights into his teachings.
Curated Readings: Access a carefully selected reading list featuring Thay’s writings, primary sources, and scholarly articles that correspond with each week’s theme.
Dharma Sharing Circles: Participate in weekly group discussions, guided by lay Dharma teachers and members of the Order of Interbeing, to deepen your practice within a supportive community.
“Do we really know who Thich Nhat Hanh is? It’s a koan, a Zen question, to ask ourselves...Everybody thinks they know: Thay is the grandfather of mindfulness, or Thay is a peace activist who spoke out about the war in Vietnam, Thay is a poet, etc. This course invites you to explore this question deeply, understanding that Thay’s life and teachings transcend any single definition.”
Brother Phap Luu
Through biographical studies, primary source readings, interviews, and interactive Dharma sharing, you will gain a profound understanding of Thay’s teachings and how they can inspire your own spiritual practice.
Understand the significant events in Thich Nhat Hanh’s life and how they shaped his teachings.
Explore the emotional and spiritual practices Thay used to navigate difficulties and how you can apply these lessons to your own life.
Engage with primary sources and scholarly articles to gain a comprehensive view of Thay’s contributions to modern Buddhism.
Connect with others through Dharma Sharing Circles, fostering community and deepening your understanding.
Reserve your spot today
Hear from monastics and lay friends who knew Thay.
Brother Chân Pháp Dung (Dharma Embrace) was ordained in 1998 as a monk in Plum Village France receiving the Dharma Teacher Lamp from Thầy in 2004. He is the former abbot of Deer Park Monastery in California from 2001 to 2010. He was born in Vietnam in 1969 and escaped as a refugee with his family to the US when he was nine years old. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, studied and received a degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California, and worked as an architect/designer for four years before becoming a monk. Br. Pháp Dung helped to establish Deer Park Monastery and other US centers, creating meditation programs and retreats for children, teens, families, and young adults.
Fred Eppsteiner is a lay Dharma teacher, who founded Florida Community of Mindfulness. He met Thich Nhat Hanh in 1975 and shares his experience of getting to know Thay in 70s, 80s and onward. In this interview, he shares his unique perspective on Thay and the continuation body of Thay.
In the book, "Fragrant Palm Leaves," Thay shares anecdotes involving his roommate. We’ll hear from Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Headley, an Orthodox priest who was also Thich Nhat Hanh's roommate at Columbia University in the 1960's.
Nancy Forest-Flier recalls memories of Thich Nhat Hanh as well as her late husband, Jim Forest, who authored the book "Eyes of Compassion: Learning from Thich Nhat Hanh.” The book includes more than 70 photos and other illustrations, as a unique introduction to the life and teachings of Thay.
Additional guests include:
Masako Yamanouchi White is a retired teacher who worked with Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister Chan Khong in the 60's at the School of Youth for Social Services (SYSS) in Vietnam.
You will also have the opportunity to hear from additional monastics such as Sister Chan Duc and Sister Dinh Nghiem.
12 weeks, starting October 13, 2024, and concluding January 12, 2025.
The total time commitment is approximately 3-4 hours per week, with optional Dharma Sharing sessions over the weekend. The approx. time break-out is as follows: 1 hour Dharma Talk (Video) 1 hour Interview/ Q&A content (Video) 1 hour reading/self study (PDFs) 1 hour Dharma Sharing (optional; Zoom) Dharma Sharing will be held on Saturdays or Sundays. Numerous time slots are available for the Dharma sharing groups, and you will have the opportunity to choose from several time slots that work for you, according to your schedule.
Whether you are new to Thay’s teachings or are a seasoned practitioner, this course will help you to understand the life of a real Zen Master and how to apply his Engaged Buddhist teachings into your life.
The course is mostly online, however we invite local practitioners to join us in person on Wednesday nights if they can. The Dharma talks will be recorded on Wednesday evenings to a live audience (our in-person Rains Retreat participants, local participants, and monastics who choose to participate). The talks will then be uploaded to the live platform by Friday mornings. The additional content will also be uploaded throughout the week, so you can choose to watch the recordings on your own time.
The Dharma talks will be recorded on Wednesday evenings to a live audience (our in-person Rains Retreat participants and monastics who choose to participate). The talks will then be uploaded to the live platform by Friday mornings. The additional content will also be uploaded throughout the week, so you can choose to watch the recordings on your own time. Dharma Sharing will be held on Saturdays or Sundays. Numerous time slots are available for the Dharma sharing groups, and you will have the opportunity to choose from several time slots that work for you, according to your schedule.
You can reach out to [email protected] for additional questions.
