One day, Queen Vaidehi asked the Buddha, "Is the place with no suffering very far away?" The Buddha replied, "No, it is not far away." And then the Buddha taught the queen how to touch the land of Great Happiness in her own heart and in her own mind. We talk about "the Pure Land." In…
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Touching Sunlight
By Peter Smith When the tree died, she continued as a violin, a chopping board, and a floorboard. At first the violin was very content. She felt grateful for the skill, care, and love with which she had been crafted. But, over time, the violin started to feel a little…
Letter from the Editor
Dear Thay, dear Sangha, While this issue was coming together, I spent an evening reading our teacher’s poetry on his experiences in war. Afterward, I dreamt that people in my community were drafted into military service and a war was going to break out within a few days. I was…
The Collective Bodhisattva
Sisterhood and Brotherhood in the Twenty-First Century By Sister Annabel, True Virtue If you were to ask me what could save this planet Earth I would say not eating meat, not using fossil fuels—but only if based on sisterhood and brotherhood. Sisterhood and brotherhood come first. Whatever we do we…
Letting Go
By Roberta Schnorr Sweat. I am bathed in sweat. The temperature has gone up ten degrees since breakfast. I have put on more clothes: a long sleeved “Haz-Mat” suit, huge rubber overshoe boots, and three pairs of gloves (nitrile medical gloves, covered by dishwashing gloves, covered by leather work gloves).…
Freedom Is the Purpose of Our Practice
By Thich Nhat Hanh August 22, 2001 Deer Park Monastery photo by Paul Davis The purpose of practice is not to become a Dharma teacher; a Dharma teacher is nothing at all. It is not to become a Sangha leader; to be a Sangha leader does not mean anything at…
Walking in Buddha’s Footsteps
By Kathleen Braza On December 8, 2000 thirty-four individuals began a life transforming pilgrimage to ancient Buddhist sites in India and Nepal. The trip was organized by Jerry and Kathleen Braza and led by Shantum Seth. The pilgrims included people from Oregon, Massachusetts, Arizona and Norway. This particular Sangha, however was unique in that it also…
Solidity and Generosity
A Retreat for the U.S. Congress By Susan Hadler Dharma talk at Warner Theater; photo by Abbie Chesler Word came from Sister Peace that Thay and the Plum Village Sangha would visit Washington, DC toward the end of their North American tour in October 2011. Thay would offer a talk…
Beginning to Dance
By Miriam Goldberg photo by Jitka Slamova Of Grief And of grief, carry it not as a burden Though you are bent to breaking, and beyond do not carry it as a burden. Instead, bow down to it on your knotted hands cracked elbows, scarred knees Bow down in it…
Mindfulness and the Police
By Cheri Maples photo by Paul Davis Cheri Maples offered this Dharma talk at the 21-Day Retreat: Vulture Peak Gathering on June 15, 2016, in New Hamlet, Plum Village. Dear Thay, dear beloved community, it’s so wonderful to be here with you. I was a police officer seven years into…