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Receiving and Transmitting
The core is to develop a foundation of Applied Buddhism—bringing the words of the Buddha into daily life in order to transform body and mind, generate joy and happiness, and help handle suffering. From the movement of Engaged Buddhism in the 1950s–60s, to the use of the terms Buddhist ethics and global ethics, and then to applied Buddhism, Plum Village and institutions such as the European Institute of Applied Buddhism are creating a model of Dharma teacher training based on practice within the Sangha—not only studying theory but living together, practicing together, transmitting the Dharma through one’s way of life, and nurturing insight every day.
This education places the Sangha (monastic and lay, men and women) as its foundation, training Dharma teachers through:
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deep study of the Noble Eightfold Path to apply to modern issues such as
- population crisis (from 6.8 billion to 9.2 billion) and birth control
- abortion, reproductive cloning, genetic manipulation (GMOs)
- youth suicide, divorce, violence, drugs, corruption, racial discrimination
- climate change, pollution, environmental crisis, food security
- mental health (psychosis, schizophrenia), police, prison guards, business and political circles
- practice through specialized retreats (21 days, summer, winter) serving parents and children, politicians, businesspeople, artists, busy people…
- transmitting experience through living Dharma, Dharma sharing, and group research on applied Buddhism theses.
Each center—Plum Village, Deer Park, Blue Cliff, etc.—is a branch of the Institute of Applied Buddhism, sharing programs and registering participants for retreat certificates. The long-term goal is to internationalize the Sangha, gradually entrusting Western practitioners with the responsibilities of abbot and Dharma teacher, creating an environment of continuous practice and learning, maintaining the flavor of meditation in activities, ceremonies, music, attire, and cuisine, so that the Dharma wheel turns in harmony with the times.