Thich Nhat Hanh Dharma Talks

As we continue to send Thay our lovely energy of healing, we look back to a dharma talk he gave on January 26, 2003 from the Dharma Nectar Temple, Lower Hamlet, Plum Village. The sangha is in the middle of the Winter Retreat and the lunar new year is approaching. This short dharma talk (48-minutes) begins with a monastic chant in Vietnamese. The Buddha teaches we should try to make our practice pleasant, joyful, and nourishing. There are several different types of joy. Mindfulness is the key to exploring. How should a practice center be organized? Are we creating the right conditions? The two sentences for the coming lunar year (2003) are part of the practice - All misfortunes entirely away. Fresh Opportunities seen in abundance. - we post these in order to remind us of our practice. We have many opportunities to practice all around us. Can you write down all the opportunities available to you? Mindfulness will help us touch these opportunities. Other kinds of joy. Sangha building. Helping our brothers or

From the archives, this talk by Thich Nhat Hanh was given during the 2002-2003 Winter Retreat (January 19, 2003) from the Upper Hamlet of Plum Village. The one-hour talk begins with a short chant in English by the monks and nuns. The living Buddha. How do we get in touch with the living Buddha? When we think of the Buddha, we have a notion. We think of Shakyamuni. If we are caught by the notion of the historical Buddha we cannot be in touch with the living Buddha. The practice of signlessness. With the eyes of signlessness, we can recognize the cloud in the tea or the ice cream. This is not something metaphysical or abstract. We see people and things in their new forms with the eyes of signlessness. We can be free from our ignorance. Impermanence makes life possible. It allows the Buddha to grow beyond his 80-year lifespan. The living Dharma. The living dharma is something you can see for yourself, something that grows. The dharma needs to be offered in an intelligent way: it must be the right teaching for

Dear listeners. As you know, Thay is in the hospital recovering from a brain hemorrhage. This fall, Thay has been able to given one dharma talk and that was for the Francophone Educators' Retreat in Upper Hamlet on October 27, 2014. The talk is 30-minutes long, available in audio only, and is given in French (without translation). Though we may not all understand the words, please enjoy the talk.  

Dear Friends This is a short message from your editor and host. It has been a month since our last dharma talk post and over two months since Thay has shared a dharma talk with the sangha. This is a short update to let you know that Thay did talk at the Francophone Educators Retreat earlier this week and if the talk becomes available, then it will be posted here. In the meantime, please support our efforts by visiting http://patreon.com/plumvillage. For as little as $1 per dharma talk, you can show your ongoing support. The donations are always in your control. You can limit the total per month and a total per dharma talk. This helps to pay for our internet services, hosting and equipment for bringing the talks to you. Thank you for the comments, support, and most especially for your practice. Kenley

This is the second dharma talk of the “The Mind of Love Transforms All Difficulties" retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the New Hamlet of Plum Village in France. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into Italian. In this very short talk on August 29, 2014, Thay teaches on the elements of love and the four mantras. Both the audio and the video are available below. Mind of love - bodhicitta. Why not the heart? Bodhi is to wake up. It begins with understanding the suffering in ourselves and then we can begin to see the suffering in the other person. Then we can help him or her to suffer less.  What is love? Love me to be there. The practice of mindful breathing and mindful walking can help us to be there for ourselves and for our loved ones. What are the elements of true presence? Am I a true lover?  You can answer this question yourself by looking to see if you have these four elements. The four mantras of Plum Village. http://youtu.be/Kjkk3M7YfOU

This is the first dharma talk of the The Mind of Love Transforms All Difficulties retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the Upper Hamlet of Plum Village in France. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into Italian. In this short talk (30-minutes) on August 28, 2014, Thay teaches on the mind of love of the relationship between suffering and happiness followed by chanting with the monks and nuns. Both the audio and the video are available below. The mind of love is a tremendous source of energy. Can we look inside and recognize the mind of love? What is it? What is our deepest desire? To relieve the suffering in the world is a good desire. And understanding is the foundation of love. How can we wake up to be a Buddha? We have to wake up in order to help others who are suffering. To wake up to the beauties of nature and heal yourself. And to wake up to the suffering of the world and to help. That is the career of the Buddha. The art of happiness and the art of suffering. What is the connection

This is the fourth and final dharma talk of the "Understanding Is Love" retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into Dutch. In this talk on August 24, 2014, Thay teaches on birth and death. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics Homework for the children. Seed of corn. A teaching on birth and death. What happens when you die? Why meditate on death? Our cosmic body Interbeing of birth and death Two levels of truth: Conventional and Ultimate Right View. Transcends being and non/being, birth/death. God is the Ultimate Teaching of the Flame. Birth and death. Teachings on The Three Recollections, the Six Sense Organs, and No Coming, No Going as given to Anathapindika on his deathbed http://youtu.be/auaDj8K8eXU

This is a session of questions and answers on August 23, 2014 from the Understanding Is Love Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The questions and answers are given in both English and Dutch. We start with a series of questions from children followed by teens and adults. Both the audio and the video are available below. Children and Teens Do you know a better way to choose and to get rid of my doubts? What does your name mean and do you have a sign to represent your name? What should you do when you are really worried about something? What does Thay love most about Buddhism? Why did you become a Buddhist? I would like to inspire my friends. How do I do this? How did you gain so much confidence? Adults I am confused about the word compassion. How can I be compassionate without suffering and still remain sensitive? I have a question about a problem in my family. I have anger towards my brother but also wants to have compassion and take car

The third dharma talk of the Understanding Is Love Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into Dutch. In this talk on August 22, 2014, Thay teaches on using the bell and the noble eightfold path. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics The Bell. How to use the bell in the family. (40-minutes) Object of our mindfulness Producing Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight Right Thinking Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Four kinds of nutriments Right Diligence http://youtu.be/Sy1IESeYhJ4

The second dharma talk of the Understanding Is Love Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into Dutch. In this talk on August 21, 2014, Thay teaches on the noble eightfold path, the five mindfulness trainings, and applying mindfulness in the world. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics Living in Plum Village and living in brotherhood and sisterhood. What is life like at Plum Village? Story of a Bell and Thay's Dream Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma - the Buddha's first dharma talk. The noble eightfold path. The popularity of mindfulness in the world today. Is it an instrument to make more money and to kill better? The Five Mindfulness Trainings Applied Buddhism in schools; our experience in France. Learning how to understand, communicate, and reconcile http://youtu.be/d8CGTkqjcik

The first dharma talk of the Understanding Is Love Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into Dutch. In this talk on August 20, 2014, Thay teaches on feeling joy and happiness and on True Love. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics Learning how to nourish and love and have it last a long time. The cloud in my cup of water What does it mean: this is a happy moment? Mindfulness of body Producing a feeling of joy Producing a feeling of happiness Mindfulness of Suffering Understanding and Suffering Four Elements of True Love The four pebbles http://youtu.be/RtP2hvI3mvo

The fourth dharma talk of the Nourishing Happiness in our Hearts retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into German. In this talk on August 17, 2014, Thay teaches on dependent co-arising, interbeing, and the four pairs of opposites. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics A cloud in the water Two kinds of truth; conventional and the ultimate How to suffer less Right View and the ultimate dimension Birth and death The wisdom of adaptation and the art of looking deeply Dependent co-arising Interbeing Emptiness Four Pairs of Opposites Sangha Building http://youtu.be/oKCmX4mMXTY

From the Nourishing Happiness in our Hearts retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. This session of questions and answers on August 16, 2014 is given in English with consecutive translation into German. Both the audio and the video are available below. Children Why are the monks and nuns not allowed to have a family? Were you unhappy when you weren't allowed to be in Vietnam anymore? Why are the monks and nuns also called brothers and sisters? Why is it all the monks and nuns shave their head? Teens Why should we eat vegan and not vegetarian? Why did you decide to become a Buddhist or a monk? Adults What are the essential practices of a Buddhist monk or nun in today's world? There are so many schools of Buddhism. Is there something, a teaching, that is the same for all schools of Buddhism? In Buddhism, there are the four stages of contemplation and some people need to visualize. Can Thay comment on this? What is a good way, a wholesome w

On this rainy morning in Germany, and the third dharma talk of the Nourishing Happiness in our Hearts retreat, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches from the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into German. In this talk on August 15, 2014, Thay teaches the children pebble meditation followed by teachings on Right Livelihood and Right Diligence. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics What is in Thay's bag? Pebble Meditation I Am Here For You. How to love. Producing and consuming – Right Livelihood, the fifth mindfulness training, and the four kinds of nutriments Intention, insight, and innovation Practicing true Mindfulness. Can it be practiced in business and in the military? Right Diligence and taking care of our good seeds. http://youtu.be/BTynC3l2O_0

The second dharma talk of the Nourishing Happiness in our Hearts retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into German. In this talk on August 14, 2014, Thay teaches on the Noble Eightfold Path. Both the audio and the video are available below. Topics Seeing with Buddha Eyes Being born and Interbeing with our Parents Buddhanature. The capacity for understanding and loving. The way of happiness - the noble eightfold path Right View Right Concentration Right Mindfulness Right Thinking Right Speech (along with listening) Right Action Right Livelihood Right Diligence http://youtu.be/c6VZidPhETI

The first dharma talk of the Nourishing Happiness in our Hearts retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Waldbrol, Germany. The talk is given in English with consecutive translation into German. The talk was given on August 13, 2014 and both the audio and the video are available below. Topics Story of the corn seed. The realm of Dharma. Everything is a wonder. The kingdom of God and the cosmos. Living happily in the present moment. Three kinds of energy; Mindfulness, insight, and concentration. The art of happiness - being able to generate a feeling of joy and a feeling of happiness. The art of suffering. Interbeing Elements of meditation Freedom and walking meditation. http://youtu.be/-9QdmSnc31w

From the Stillwater Meditation Hall at Upper Hamlet, Plum Village. This is the fourth question and answer session of the annual Summer Opening retreat at Plum Village on July 30, 2014. The talk is in English and both the audio and the video are available below. How do we eat our parents? When Thay became a monk, was he aware of the suffering in the world or did that come later? Why sometimes when we cry we are happy and sometimes we are sad? How did you create Plum Village? We talk a lot about respecting Mother Earth but a lot of the food we eat here is not organic and comes from far away. I feel blocked when reading the Five Contemplations. This seems incongruent. Who am I? How do I recognize suffering in myself and learn to take care of that Suffering? Loneliness. And we find another person presents not nursing, should we and how do we withdraw? http://youtu.be/XygtfWM66j0

From the Assembly of Stars Meditation Hall at Lower Hamlet, Plum Village. This is the fourth week of the annual Summer Opening retreat at Plum Village. This short 45-minute talk on July 27, 2014 is in English with a focus on using the practice of walking meditation in order to be free. Both the audio and the video are available below. There is the habit energy of running in all of us. We're not comfortable in the here and now. Many are caught in regret and sorrow concerning the past. The mark of suffering is very deep. How can we get out of that prison of the last? The same can be said about the future. Life is only available in the here and now. In the present moment. The practice of mindfulness can help us live in freedom. The practice of mindful walking can be very helpful. We can learn how to combine the breathing and walking together. We learn the practice. I have arrived. I am home. Teaching on the Kingdom of God as it relates to walking. Are you able to experience the wonder of life? In the here. In

From the Stillwater Meditation Hall at Upper Hamlet, Plum Village. This is the third question and answer session of the annual Summer Opening retreat at Plum Village on July 23, 2014. The talk is in English and both the audio and the video are available below. Children Why do monks and nuns always have brown clothes and no hair? How can I express my anger without taking it out anyone? Why does a seed give birth to a flower and sometimes not? Why am I myself as I am and not as the others? Why did you make Plum Village? Teens and Young Adults I'm not the only one who feels lonelineness and sadness about myself and I've had struggled with self hatred. How do I learn to care and love myself and stop negative perceptions? In school it is very competitive and there is a lot of pressure to succeed. I feel like I need to work harder. How do I take it easy without hurting myself further? How can I love myself more and how can I have more confidence in myself? Others It seems we live in a global culture o

From the Assembly of Stars Meditation Hall at Lower Hamlet, Plum Village. This is the third week of the annual Summer Opening retreat at Plum Village. This short 45-minute talk on July 20, 2014 is in English with a focus on our action. Both the audio and the video are available below. What is man? What Sartre said is very close to Buddhist teachings. Action. Karma. There are three aspects. (1) Thinking. Your thought is an action. It is an energy. We practice in such a way so to produce good thoughts. (2) Speaking. This is the second form of action. Words can kill and destroy or bring beauty and full of non discrimination, understanding, and forgiveness. We should produce speech that can heal. (3) Body action. Acting. With our body we can help with our efforts. How we consume. Are the totality of our thoughts, speech, and action. Mindfulness can shed light on our action. When we walk with the sangha, we are using these three aspects. We can be fully concentrated in our steps with these three aspects to arriv