Embrace cultural diversity by respecting traditions like Christianity, recognizing its significance in Western culture, and fostering harmony. Many feel disconnected from traditions, leading to isolation and suffering. Plum Village honors Christmas, seeing contemplation on symbols like Santa Claus as enlightening. Christianity’s decline in practice doesn’t diminish its cultural influence. Recognize interconnectedness and compassion, avoiding blame for suffering. Engage with traditions, nurturing spirituality akin to Jesus’ retreat. Cultivate supportive communities, reconnecting with heritage while embracing diverse influences. Foster unity and compassion, embodying teachings for societal transformation. Engage inclusively with various compassionate groups for broader societal change.

Winter Retreat 1994/5 emphasizes nurturing our inner potential akin to nurturing a child, reflecting on continuous birth and renewal. Parents and ancestors play a vital role in shaping us, akin to God’s continuous creation. Buddha and Jesus were recognized as transformative figures from birth. Plum Village teaches mindfulness practices like breathing, walking, hugging, and sitting to cultivate peace and joy. Transformation through mindfulness is akin to nurturing seeds of consciousness, fostering continuous growth. Faith is rooted in personal experience and mindfulness, transforming suffering into peace. Monastic life emphasizes introspection, mindfulness, and embodying teachings to alleviate suffering and guide others towards liberation.

Mindfulness frees us to enjoy what is available twenty-four hours a day—fresh air, sunshine, the stars—and even God, “happiness” and “peace,” if our mind is truly present. There are two levels of relationship:

1. the horizontal line (horizontal theology) linking us with human beings, animals, plants, minerals,
2. the vertical line (vertical theology) touching God, the ground of being.
   Like a wave on the ocean, we inter-are with other waves (sự, the phenomenal): our coming, going, size and shape depend entirely on them. By looking deeply we also touch the water (lý, the noumenal): the foundation of our being in which all phenomena arise.

Buddhism teaches us not to mix these two levels. The Madhyamaka school (śūnyatā, emptiness) and the Dharmalakṣaṇa school (Pháp tướng, phenomena) stress tánh tướng biệt quán—separate contemplation of the noumenal and the phenomenal. Phenomena follow cause and effect among waves, while the noumenal is the ground of all phenomena: God or Nirvana, beyond birth and death, coming and going, being and non-being. Though indescribable by concepts, this ultimate dimension is available to us in every breath, every cup of tea, every step, every gesture.

Impermanence and non-self make rebirth, personhood and transformation possible. Nothing arises from nothing, nothing returns to nothing—every “birth” is a continuation, every “death” a metamorphosis. Deep looking into our own suffering and that of others dissolves anger and hatred, for understanding is the very ground of love and compassion. In daily life—eating a piece of bread, practicing walking meditation, celebrating Christmas—we touch the phenomenal deeply and thus touch the noumenal, discovering the peace, solidity and freedom that are always here.

This talk details nurturing the inner child embodying the Buddha’s spirit, emphasizing the Buddhist practice of beginning anew akin to welcoming the Holy Spirit. Love, known as bodhicitta, gives strength and courage, embodying the future Buddha, Maitreya. Faith rooted in direct insight prevents suffering and fanaticism, emphasizing mindfulness in daily life. Buddhism teaches liberation from harmful notions, fostering genuine happiness. Faith grows through direct experience, akin to perfecting a skill like baking fruitcake or walking meditation. True enlightenment transcends illusions, rooted in mindfulness and concentration. Faith prevents imposing beliefs, fostering kindness and unity. Understanding transcends rigid notions, embracing life’s eternal essence. Buddhism and Christianity can enrich each other, emphasizing mindfulness and divine presence in the here and now. Engage deeply with each moment, embracing eternal essence, transcending birth and death. The kingdom resides within, emphasizing nourishment of faith, love, and tolerance. Eat mindfully, awakening to divine presence, nurturing the child within. Merry Christmas.

As a monk, the bell’s sound carries significance learned through poems, uniting body, speech, and mind to awaken compassion and calm. Deep listening dissolves afflictions, fostering peace. Reflecting on travels, the bell’s resonance deeply touched me, akin to serene water sounds from childhood. Vietnamese struggle with identity, but reconnecting roots nurtures fulfillment. Happiness arises from embracing nature’s beauty and mindful consumption, reducing suffering. Christmas echoes Vietnamese traditions, emphasizing familial roots. Buddha and Jesus symbolize mindfulness and compassion, guiding transformative practices. Embrace mindfulness to acknowledge and transform negativity, fostering peace. Buddha and Jesus coexist harmoniously, embodying wisdom and love. Despite religious differences, unity and mutual respect nurture understanding and acceptance.

This talk details the importance of connecting with spiritual guides like Buddha and Jesus to find relief from suffering and cultivate peace, calm, and joy. It emphasizes transcending appearances and concepts to truly grasp their essence, as taught in the Diamond Sutra and through Zen teachings. Spiritual growth involves symbolic death and rebirth, embracing change, and nurturing seeds of liberation, solidity, and harmony within ourselves. Mindfulness practices like breathing, walking, and mindful bowing help cultivate inner peace and compassion, transforming harmful habits and fostering reconciliation. Being part of a Sangha, or spiritual community, provides stability and support in practicing mindfulness and connecting with the divine. Recognizing the divine within and practicing mindfulness in daily life are key to breaking free from damaging patterns and nurturing positive habits.

This talk details the importance of spirituality in the 21st century for survival amidst suffering, violence, and fear, highlighting mindfulness practice as a universal, non-religious approach beneficial to various societal fields. Harvard University studies spirituality’s impact on healing, and mindfulness centers globally offer inclusive practices. Walking meditation connects practitioners to the divine, reminding them of the kingdom of heaven’s constant presence. Sangha unity prevents despair, embodying compassion and wisdom akin to teachings of Buddha and Jesus. Nations should embrace Sangha principles for peaceful conflict resolution, transforming the UN into a true Sangha. Embrace spirituality in daily life to foster global unity and hope, transcending personal and national interests.

This talk details embracing our true selves and nurturing the qualities of love and hope within us, symbolized by the inner baby, through mindfulness and compassion. It emphasizes creating a nurturing environment for spiritual growth, reflecting teachings from both Buddhism and Christianity. The kingdom of God and Pure Land are present realities accessible through mindfulness. The parable of the sower illustrates how distractions hinder spiritual growth. Mindfulness and concentration uncover our true nature, fostering compassion and understanding suffering. Loving speech and deep listening are essential for transforming ignorance and fostering peace. Mindfulness practices in politics can promote harmony. True happiness lies in spiritual pursuits over material consumption, as exemplified by monks who embrace freedom and compassion. Celebrating Christmas involves nurturing the seed of love within us, realizing our spiritual potential in the present moment.

This talk details the importance of residing in the present moment, described as a place of deep connection with ourselves, nature, and ancestors, accessible through practices like mindful walking and breathing. It emphasizes embracing suffering to cultivate compassion and happiness, recognizing suffering as essential for growth, much like mud is necessary for lotus flowers to bloom. Practicing mindfulness collectively in a Sangha enhances understanding and compassion, transforming suffering into joy. The kingdom of God and Buddha’s pure land are accessible here and now through mindfulness, offering teachings that address suffering and embody happiness and freedom. Recognizing interconnectedness dispels loneliness, nurturing harmony within ourselves and our community. Practicing mindful actions connects us deeply with loved ones despite physical distance, fostering joy and compassion.

This talk details gathering at Dharma Cloud Temple in 2004, embracing togetherness and mindfulness without plans. It explores the concepts of time, mindfulness, and the presence of Buddha and Jesus within ourselves. Through mindful breathing, sitting, walking, and daily activities, we embody qualities like solidity, freedom, compassion, and aliveness. Mindfulness connects us to the divine energies akin to the Holy Spirit, fostering clarity and compassion. Taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha brings harmony to our being, influencing our future through mindful actions. The Buddha’s 16 mindful breathing practices harmonize the five skandhas, nurturing peace and happiness. Suffering is crucial for cultivating understanding and compassion, transforming our reality into a sacred space. By facing suffering, we nurture empathy and insight, embodying divine energies. The essence of Buddha and Jesus resides within us, guiding us to transform suffering and cultivate compassion, bringing renewal to ourselves and the world.

This talk details the Buddha’s teachings on transcending suffering and the cycle of birth and death through meditation and self-awareness, revealing that our bodies are gateways to ultimate peace and immortality. It emphasizes exploring within ourselves to uncover the interconnectedness of existence, recognizing emptiness as a positive force revealing joy, compassion, and enlightenment. The ultimate truth is accessible through mindfulness in everyday actions, allowing liberation without detachment from daily life. The essence of existence intertwines historical and ultimate dimensions, reflecting interconnectedness and the profound realization that we are already part of the greater whole.

December 24, 2009. This 80-minute dharma talk in English given by Thich Nhat Hanh in Lower Hamlet, Plum Village. The recording begins with about 20-minutes of chanting followed by a holiday greeting and talk from Thay.

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This talk details the importance of mindfulness and concentration in connecting deeply with life’s wonders and finding peace in the present moment. It discusses Christianity’s vertical and horizontal dimensions relating to spiritual growth and relationships, emphasizing their intersection in life’s ultimate reality. Zen practice sees ordinary actions as sacred, recognizing interconnectedness in acts like pouring tea. Embracing suffering tenderly reveals our true home, akin to lotus flowers needing mud to bloom. Through mindfulness practices, obstacles like fear and anger can be overcome, allowing understanding, acceptance, love, and compassion to flourish. The interconnected nature of existence eliminates discrimination, anger, and fear, leading to enlightenment and freedom from birth and death. The path involves three trainings: mindfulness, concentration, and insight, guiding through layers of practice to realize the kingdom of God or Nirvana.

This talk details the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and interconnectedness. It begins with advice to “Go home and take care of yourself,” emphasizing that nurturing oneself is vital for caring for others and the world. The Sangha community supports learning self-care by tending to bodies, emotions, and pains together. Both Buddha and Jesus taught finding peace within oneself and appreciating Earth as home. Mindfulness, particularly mindful walking, connects us to the cycle of life and the beauty of nature. Plum Village teachings highlight reciprocal love between beings and nature. Mindful breathing restores harmony, allowing refuge within oneself, termed Atadipa. Buddha’s teachings on mindfulness, concentration, and insight guide finding peace internally. Mindfulness manifests the Dharma, bringing recognition, relief, protection, and healing. Buddha’s reminder to be mindful calls for returning to oneself to nurture happiness and peace, caring for others and the planet. Christmas is a time to reflect on these teachings, walking with awareness and savoring each moment on Earth.

This talk details the metaphor of a bamboo fishing boat representing the journey from suffering to happiness, focusing on crossing from anger and suffering to happiness and love using wisdom and understanding. Plum Village teachings emphasize mindful breathing, connecting deeply with one’s feelings, ancestors, and roots to find one’s true home. Mindfulness, concentration, and insight cultivate stability, freedom, and connection. Reflecting on holidays like Christmas and New Year, the talk underscores the significance of nurturing supportive communities (Sanghas) for stability and fulfillment, recognizing excessive individualism’s dangers, and striving to rebuild inclusive spiritual and familial bonds.

December 24, 2010. Thich Nhat Hanh gave a 58-minute dharma talk in Stillwater Meditation hall in Upper Hamlet in Plum Village during the 2010-2011 Winter Rains Retreat. This was the Christmas Eve talk. Thay speaks about the theme of finding a true home, drawing parallels between the journeys of Jesus and the Buddha, both of whom searched for their true homes as young men. Thay emphasizes the importance of building a sangha, a beloved community, to find one’s true home and reduce suffering. He reflects on his meeting with Martin Luther King 44 years ago, where they discussed building a loving community.

Thay explains that the sangha is like a beehive, where each member works for the well-being of the whole. He shares that his time in the West has been devoted to sangha building, and that without a sangha, one cannot do anything. He also discusses the teachings of the Buddha during his last Rains Retreat, which focused on finding our true home within ourselves—the island of oneself, where peace, freedom, solidity, and joy reside.

Thay further elaborates on the practice of mindfulness, which brings one to the present moment and helps touch the wonders of life. He draws connections between the teachings of the Buddha and Jesus Christ, suggesting that both figures can be seen as our brothers, and that nirvana or the Kingdom of God can be experienced in the here and now through mindful breathing and living.

Additionally, Thay talks about Jesus as a refugee, his own experience as a refugee from Vietnam, and our collective experience as refugees seeking a true home. Monks and nuns from Plum Village also invoke the name of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, on Christmas Eve Day, 2010, in the Dharma Cloud Temple of Plum Village, France.

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December 24, 2011. 105-minute dharma talk and chanting with Thich Nhat Hanh as he gives the annual Christmas Eve talk from Lower Hamlet, Plum Village. The sangha is in the 2011-2012 Winter Retreat and this is the first talk in English.

The practice of Plum Village is “I Have Arrived. I am Home.” We can breathe in and feel alive right here and now. We stop all our thinking and focus our mind on our in-breath and get established in the here and the now. Mindfulness is a kind of light to know what is happening in the present moment. With mindfulness, we can become a Saint, a Buddha, a Bodhisattva. One day science will be able to measure the type of energy created by mindfulness practice. The collective energy of everyone. We can send waves of mindfulness, compassion, and peace, creating interference and enhancing the energy of everyone. All of us are looking for our true home. We may only feel happy when we are home. Our practice is to go home in every moment. Breathe and you are alive. Many of us have succeeded in that practice. When we do this, we also become the home for other people.

When we practice like this, we may get in touch with planet Earth. In Plum Village, we look at the planet Earth as a bodhisattva. You do not have to be a person to be a bodhisattva. Everything has a buddha nature. During walking meditation, we may see that the Earth is the most beautiful bodhisattva. Patience, stability, creativity, and love - these are some of the qualities of this bodhisattva. We are a part of her. With mindfulness of walking and breathing, we can connect with our body. Your healing must go together with the healing of the planet earth. The earth is not our environment, the earth is us.

We have spoken about two kinds of vertical theology and horizontal theology. With vertical, we try to get in touch with the absolute; the ultimate dimension of reality. We cannot arrive in our true home without touching this ultimate reality; we have to touch God. What are we? Where do we come from? We want to know our true nature.

In the Christian tradition, we learn that Jesus is the Son of God. It means that through Jesus you can touch the Ultimate Dimension, the ultimate reality, the ground of being, the almighty. We also learn that Jesus is the Son of Man. As the Son of Man, he belongs to the historical dimension where there is being and non-being, birth and death, sameness and otherness, good and evil. Notions that make us suffer. These can be the foundation of our fear, anxiety, and suffering. But Jesus is not only the Son of Man, he is also the Son of God. If we get in touch with Jesus deeply enough, then we can see this ultimate dimension. We have to see Jesus as both. In the Buddhist tradition, it is very clear that everyone belongs to the historical dimension and we also belong to the ultimate dimension. This is our nature and we can learn to transcend our notions.

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December 24, 2012. 118-minute dharma talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh from Upper Hamlet at Plum Village. The sangha is in the 90-day Rains Retreat (Winter Retreat) and this is the special Christmas Eve dharma talk (and the fourteenth dharma talk of the retreat with the theme Are You The Soulmate of the Buddha?). Begin with a teaching on listening to the chant. Learning to recognize our own suffering and the suffering of the other person. We can then generate compassion. The monastics then chant the name Namo ‘valokiteshvaraya.

The practice of going home is a very deep practice. We need the energy of mindfulness. We don’t need a plane or train ticket to go home. There is a station - Radio NST - (non-stop thinking) and this doesn’t help us arrive home. Walking and breathing allow us to arrive. The more you are mindful and concentrated the more pleasant. Help you stop the thinking and the worrying. Just walk and heal. “I have arrived. I am home.” This is the best dharma talk we have in Plum Village. We do not have to force ourselves to breathe or to walk. It can be really pleasant. There is no way home, home is the way. The Buddha taught about the island of self. Loneliness is an illusion. It is a wrong perception. Every breath and every step can help us see this. The teaching on “going home” is very strong.

Thay explores the living Christ. We reflect on the birth of Jesus into this world as the son of man. Did he exist before this time? What do we mean by birth? Science and Buddhism. Matter and energy. Nothing is born. Nothing dies. Our true nature is of no birth and no death. This is the ultimate truth. There is no being, no non-being, only Interbeing. When we celebrate the birth of Christ, we can look deeply into this teaching of no birth and no death.

Thay speaks about the practice of mindfulness and how it can bring us back to our true home. “The practice offered by Plum Village is to go home at every moment, wherever you find yourself. Breathe, and you find yourself alive. Breathe, and you are already home, in the here and the now. That is the basic practice; and many of us have succeeded in that practice. When you have become a home for yourself, you become a home for other people at the same time.”

Thay shares how the Earth is a Bodhisattva. “Every time we feel alone, alienated, we can practice touching the Earth: a practice we learn in Plum Village. We are the Earth’s children, and we need to see her in us and us in her. When we get sick, we need to go back to her. We need to come back and realize that we have a body. If we can connect with our body, we are alive again. When we connect with our body, we connect with Mother Earth, and healing is possible. Your healing must go together with the healing of the planet. The Earth is not the environment; the Earth is us.”

Thay continues to share about vertical and horizontal theology, and the influence of Albert Einstein on Paul Tillich. “Einstein admired how the cosmos is arranged, but he could not believe that God is a person. Tillich agreed with that. We tend to see things from our human point of view: we want to personalize everything–the Sun is a god, the Moon is a god.” “When I do walking meditation, I don’t see the Earth as just matter. It is not that consciousness is separate from matter. It is possible to transcend the dual-grasping of concepts of ‘body’ and ‘mind’. I am not caught in that dualistic view. I do not see a deity in the Earth. To me, an atom or an electron is very intelligent. It is no less with consciousness. Dead matter cannot give birth to Buddhas, bodhisattvas, saints, and many wonderful things.”

“To the question: Is God a person? The answer is ‘yes’, God can be a person, God can be a cloud, God can be a flower. By realizing this we can make peace with everything in the historical dimension.”

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Finding Our True Home in Ourselves and in the Sangha

Thầy invites us to reflect deeply on what it means to be truly at home. Drawing from the lives of the Buddha and Jesus, he reminds us that both spiritual teachers began without a worldly home but discovered their true home through practice and awakening.

Thầy teaches that our body is our first home, and that by coming back to our breathing and our body, we return to life itself. Through mindful breathing, “Breathing in, I see myself as a flower,” we learn to dwell peacefully in the present moment, caring for our body as a living wonder.

From this foundation of embodiment and mindfulness, Thầy guides us toward the deeper aspiration of building Sangha, creating communities rooted in brotherhood, sisterhood, joy, and understanding. Just as the Buddha and Jesus could not realize their work alone, we too need a Sangha to sustain our practice and nurture our dreams.

This talk was offered on Christmas Eve during the Christmas and New Year Retreat in the year 2013. Thầy offered this talk at the Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, France.

Lighting candle for victims of war in Sarajevo