What You’ll Experience:

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.

Let Thay's teachings inspire your spiritual journey.

Enroll today

“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

Course Activities

  • Weekly Reflections

    Write responses to prompts based on the week’s teachings, allowing for personal reflection and integration of the material.

  • Dharma Sharing Groups

    Join weekly group discussions to build connections and explore the teachings in a community setting.

  • Certification

    Receive a certificate from the European Institute of Applied Buddhism upon course completion.

Learning Objectives

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.

Course begins on October 13

Reserve your spot today

Enroll today
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Pricing options

We invite you to choose the rate that works best for you. All proceeds go to Deer Park Monastery, a non-profit organization. Need Assistance? If the base rate is a barrier, please reach out for support.

Dharma Teacher

Br. Phap Luu

Dharma Teacher

Ordained as a monk since 2003, Brother Pháp Lưu (Br. Stream) received Transmission of the Lamp from Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh to teach in 2011. He helped start Wake Up, the international movement for young people, as well as the Happy Farm, Plum Village’s organic farming community, and has been working with Wake Up Schools since its inception in 2012 to bring mindfulness to schools. He has served as a monastic editor for a number of Thầy’s books, including Happy Teachers Change the World, Stepping Into Freedom, Cracking the Walnut, and How to Focus. Brother Pháp Lưu leads mindful backpacking retreats in nature around Deer Park Monastery, and has been working lately with scientists at Dartmouth College and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to develop research on the effect of Plum Village mindfulness practices on children.

Begin your journey into the heart of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings.

Enroll today

FAQ

  • How long is the course?

    12 weeks, starting October 13, 2024, and concluding January 12, 2025.

  • What is the time commitment?

    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; we are still confirming the times with our Dharma Sharing Facilitators and will notify you via email of your specific Dharma Sharing time the week of October 14.

  • Who should enroll for this course?

    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.

  • Is this in person or on-line event?

    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.

  • What time does the course take place?

    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; we are still confirming the times with our Dharma Sharing Facilitators and will notify you via email of your specific Dharma Sharing time the week of October 14.

  • Who do I reach out to with more questions?

    You can reach out to [email protected] for additional questions.