Dear Beloved Sangha,
This year, we are joyful to celebrate and honor the 60th anniversary of the Order of Interbeing, a path transmitted to our tradition by our beloved teacher, Thay.
Plum Village remains committed to continuing the transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings and the Dharma Teacher Lamp, representing the living continuation of our ancestors’ wisdom.
Key Dates & Events
- March 20–27, 2026: Plum Village has designated this week for the transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings and the Lamp Transmission.
- June 2026: We will host a special two-week retreat for OI members and aspirants to celebrate and practice together. During this time, the 14 Mindfulness Trainings transmission will be available both in person and online.
Application Requirements
To support a smooth process, please ensure all documents are sent to lamp14MT@plumvillage.org by the due date noted below.
For OI Candidates
Application Due Date:
– January 31, 2026 for participants joining the March transmission ceremony
– May 1, 2026 for participants joining the June transmission ceremony)
- Completed Application to Become an Aspirant to the Order of Interbeing Core Community.
- Letters of support from OI mentors and Dharma Teacher(s).
- Letters of support from local Sangha members and family (where available).
- A letter to Thay and the Sangha articulating your desire for ordination, including a brief spiritual history and a commitment to being a Sangha builder.
- A copy of your 5 Mindfulness Trainings certificate and a recent photo.
- Please also complete this form.
For Dharma Teacher Candidates
Application Due Date:
– January 31, 2026 for participants joining the March transmission ceremony
- Aspiration Letter
- Scan of your 14 Mindfulness Trainings certificate.
- Two current letters of support from your mentor and a Sangha member.
- A recent photo and completion of this form.
- Insight Gatha (deadline 15th February 2026)
Looking toward the future, we are happy to share that Plum Village is committed to offering these transmissions every year to support the continued growth of our monastic and lay sangha. We hope this regularity allows OI aspirants and Lamp candidates to plan their practice and preparation with greater ease and peace of mind.
On behalf of the committee, Br. Phap Huu
Annual Lamp Transmission Ceremonies
Here in Plum Village France, the Dharma Teacher Council has decided to organize a weeklong retreat every March for the Transmission of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings and Dharma Lamps.
A lamp transmission is a formal ceremony in which the Dharma is passed from a Zen master to a disciple. Through this ceremony, the recipient becomes a Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition and enters an unbroken lineage of teachers and disciples.
As the Root Monastery of the Plum Village tradition, and in recognition of how meaningful it is for aspirant Dharma Teachers from around the world to receive the lamp here in Thay’s home in the West, we are grateful to dedicate a full week each year to these deeply moving ceremonies.
Program of the Week
During the Ceremonies week, the schedule differs from regular retreat weeks in Plum Village, as priority is given to space and time for the ceremonies, bringing all hamlets together to generate a strong collective energy of mindfulness and concentration. The focus is on meditation, chanting, prostrations, and the lamp transmission ceremonies, along with moments of celebration with the candidates.
As these large-scale ceremonies involve several hundred people, we invite everyone to support their unfolding through mindful service, such as kitchen work, cleaning, driving, and preparing the meditation halls.
Becoming a Dharma Teacher
Dharma Teachers (Dharmachāryas) are members of the community who have been selected as teachers because they have extensive spiritual practice and the prerequisites for a happy life. When the sangha sees that someone is willing and ready to teach the Dharma – not just because of his words, but because of her actions; her practice in daily life – that person is then officially authorised to teach through a ceremony where the Dharma Lamp is transmitted.
Generally, a monk or a nun must have been ordained for at least eight years to be considered as a candidate for receiving the Dharma Lamp. To be considered as a lay Dharma Teacher, again, it takes many years of practice, engagement in the Order of Interbeing, and nomination by their local and national sangha. Once nominated, there is a pathway of training to become a Dharma Teacher, usually at least two years.
The Lamp Transmission Ceremony is just one part of becoming a Dharma Teacher. Thich Nhat Hanh used to say that after receiving the lamp, it takes another ten years to truly become a teacher. Dharma Teachers continue to practice within the Plum Village tradition, attend retreats at Plum Village Centres, organise their own retreats and help to build the sangha to deepen their knowledge and skills. The role of the Dharma Teachers is ultimately to bring joy and confidence to the community and to all who come to practice with the community.
Read more about the “Order of Interbeing”.
Registration
Please note that Upper Hamlet will not be open to the public but can receive those who will receive the Lamp transmission, 14 MT transmission and their family/friends. Please contact the Upper Hamlet office if this applies to you (Contact form).
Click here to view our updated payment and cancellation policy
Registration & Payment
Payment Structure
For retreats from January 3, 2026 onwards, your contribution will be split into two payments:
- Main payment to Bienvenue Aux Pruniers S.A.S. (BAP) for practical retreat aspects (food, accommodation, facilities, administration, taxes)
- Monastery contribution to Congrégation Bouddhique Zen Village des Pruniers (CBZ) to support the monastic community
Your bank statement will show two charges, and you will receive two invoices.
Note: For retreats taking place in 2025 until January 3, 2026, retreat contributions are received by Communaute Bouddhique Zen du Village des Pruniers, the religious nonprofit 1901 association operating our activities from 1988-2025.
Payment Methods
Our online booking system accepts:
- Credit card payments (worldwide)
- European direct debit (SEPA) for European bank accounts
All payments are processed via the secure Stripe payment gateway. We do not store payment details. Due to strict French regulations, we cannot accept cash, cheques, or manual bank transfers for retreat payments.
Cancellation Policy
To ensure fair access for all, we have revised our cancellation policy to encourage participants to book a retreat place only when certain they can attend.
Cancellation by Participants
If you need to cancel:
- 28+ days before arrival: Full refund minus €100 admin & cancellation fee
- 14-27 days before arrival: 50% refund after deducting the €100 non-refundable admin fee
- 13 days or less before arrival: No refunds possible
We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover retreat cancellation fees in case of unforeseen circumstances, including personal illness or family emergencies.
For those generously coming to Plum Village to help as a volunteer, the cancellation fee is €25 (to cover admin costs).
Cancellation by Plum Village
Plum Village reserves the right to cancel a retreat under any circumstances. If this occurs, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to us, including the admin fee.
Plum Village accepts no further liability beyond the retreat registration fee refund. We cannot be liable for funds spent on advance travel arrangements, such as flight tickets and visas. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance that covers this.
More information about coming to practice with us