Episodes

Aug 29

In this Dharma talk, Sister Đặng Nghiêm shares heartfelt insights on suffering, healing, and learning to be our own soulmate. Speaking at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, on July 20, 2025, she reflects on childhood memories, the Four Noble Truths, and the art of "riding the waves of life" with mindfulness and compassion.

Jan 7

Sister Chua Xua was a social worker and left a long-term relationship to become ordained as a nun at Bát Nhã, a Plum Village monastery that closed due to harassment from the Vietnamese government. "I also have a dream. I have a wish that I can support the young Western people to take the monastic life. The life that when you open your eyes, you see the moon and the star over your window. You feel very free. You light the candle with the hot cup of tea, the warm one, and you enjoy tea in the early morning. You look through the windows, you enjoy the moon and the star, and you enjoy your free life." 1:53 Visiting the Monastery, Social Work 6:27 Relationship Before Ordination 9:33 Wake Up Sangha 11:21 Working for a Company, Decision to Become a Nun 18:35 Bat Nha Monastery 28:02 Father's Illness and Death 31:42 Living at Different Practice Centers 33:21 Bringing Buddhism to the West 37:16 Difficulties in Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . In this episode of Meet the Monastics from Deer Park Monastery, Brother Minh An introduces Sister Chua Xua, a nun from Vietnam who shares her transformative journey into monastic life. Born in 1981 and ordained in 2010 at the age of 29, Sister Chua Xua brings energy and a deep heart of service to her spiritual practice. Her path began with a background in sociology and social work, where she faced burnout from emotional exhaustion while supporting marginalized communities. A retreat at Bat Nha Monastery in Vietnam introduced her to mindfulness practices and a vibrant community of young practitioners, inspiring her to reimagine her life. Despite initially not considering monastic life, the deep joy and transformation she witnessed at the monastery eventually led her to ordain. Sister Chua Xua reflects on her personal challenges, including leaving a long-term romantic relationship and navigating the emotional aftermath with the support of the mindfulness practice and the Wake Up Sangha. She describes the tumultuous closure of Bat Nha Monastery due to political pressures, a pivotal moment that solidified her commitment to the monastic path. Through her practice, Sister Chua Xua has embraced a life of simplicity, freedom, and service, drawing strength from the Plum Village community's teachings. She now aspires to share the beauty of monastic life with young people, emphasizing the peace, clarity, and joy it offers. Her story highlights the transformative power of mindfulness, community, and self-discovery. Sister Chua Xua's experiences underline how monastic practice fosters inner freedom and equips practitioners to live harmoniously with others. Her journey from social work to spiritual dedication offers profound insights into resilience and the pursuit of a meaningful, connected life.

Dec 17, 2024

Brother Phap Hoi is a Vietnamese refugee and the most senior Brother at Deer Park Monastery. "Because the Sangha embrace all of the people, even you are high level or low level of good background or not. You all have the chance in the Sangha if you go in the right direction of practice." 3:16 Meeting Thay 8:20 Arriving at Plum Village 11:30 Visa Trouble, First Stint at Deer Park 17:12 Bat Nha Monastery 26:25 Plum Village Thailand 32:00 Gratitude for Thay and the Path You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . In this episode of Meet the Monastics, Brother Minh An speaks with Brother Phap Hoi, the eldest brother at Deer Park Monastery, about his extraordinary journey into monastic life. Born in 1970 into a humble family in Hanoi, Brother Phap Hoi's path led him across multiple countries, including Czechoslovakia, Germany, and eventually France, where he was ordained at Plum Village in 1996. His life was marked by significant challenges, including fleeing as a refugee, navigating borders without proper paperwork, and enduring hardships during his search for a spiritual home. Inspired by Thay's teachings, particularly The Miracle of Mindfulness , Brother Phap Hoi found his deep calling to monastic life after attending a Day of Mindfulness in Germany. Brother Phap Hoi shares how his practice flourished despite difficulties, from supporting the establishment of Deer Park Monastery in the U.S. to helping build Plum Village centers in Thailand and Vietnam, including the historic Bát Nhã Monastery. His reflections emphasize the resilience and strength of the monastic Sangha, particularly during times of persecution and hardship. Brother Phap Hoi expresses profound gratitude for Thay's inclusive and compassionate vision, which provided him with the opportunity to grow and serve, no matter his background or limitations. For Brother Phap Hoi, the Sangha is a true family, offering a path of transformation and love, which he continues to follow wholeheartedly. Meet the Monastics

Dec 10, 2024

Sister Phu Nghiem is one of three nuns in her immediate blood family and is passionate about bringing mindfulness to children. "So I focus a lot more on my steps. On how I choose the food when I come to a meal. I learn to enjoy the meal and enjoy my siblings. And that has supported me a whole lot now that I'm here at Deer Park. I'm learning how to do that. And I notice my relationship with my sibling is more honest. But I think the most important thing is that my relationship with myself is a lot more honest. So that made me very happy." 2:07 - Introduction to Spiritual Life 7:49 - Professional Life and Decision to Become a Nun 14:15 - Starting Magnolia Grove 18:46 - Stress and Working Mindfully 26:13 - Mother's Ordination 31:01 - Practicing with the name "Gift from Heaven" 34:47 - Advice for Those Considering Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . Brother Minh An introduces an episode of Meet the Monastics featuring Sister Phu Nghiem, who shares her journey to monastic life and reflections on mindfulness practice. Born in central Vietnam in 1981, Sister Phu Nghiem emigrated to the U.S. at age 10, eventually pursuing interior design before feeling called to the monastic path. Influenced by her family's Buddhist roots and her sister's earlier ordination, she found deeper meaning through the Plum Village tradition. Her initial experiences at the Green Mountain Dharma Center awakened a sense of alignment with the practice, leading her to ordain in 2008. Sister Phu Nghiem reflects on her challenges and growth within the monastic community, including starting Magnolia Grove Monastery and balancing responsibilities with self-care. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in cultivating a rhythm of life that fosters well-being and honest relationships. As she now supports her aging mother, also a nun, she views this as a unique chapter of learning and joy, blending her spiritual and familial roles. She concludes by describing monastic life as a "luxury lifestyle," offering a rich, disciplined, and beautiful way of living for those committed to the practice. Encouraging listeners to consider the monastic path, Sister Phu Nghiem shares how the teachings and precepts have deepened her relationships and transformed her life.

Dec 3, 2024

Brother Phap Luu, the eldest non-Vietnamese American monk in the Plum Village tradition, graduated from Dartmouth College and started meditating after going through a depression. "What is more satisfying in life than helping people to transform their suffering? I mean, who cares about money and all this other stuff? The biggest happiness I get is if I can help myself, first of all, but others to transform suffering in a real way. My goodness, if we can do that with only a few people in our life, that's already worth a lifetime, right?" Discourse on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness 2:16 Experiments in Community and Meditation 10:37 Returning to the US, Depression 16:04 Discovering the Four Establishments of Mindfulness 21:00 Returning to Dartmouth, Visiting Maple Forest Monastery 26:09 Decision to Become a Monk 31:00 Life as a Monk, Love for Thay, Ethics 40:10 Projects 51:39 Ideals of Monastic Life, Collective Awakening 1:09:17 The Monastic's Role, Advice for Potential Monastics You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . This podcast episode, Meet the Monastics, hosted by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, introduces Brother Phap Luu (Brother Stream), the most senior non-Vietnamese American monastic in the Plum Village tradition. Brother Phap Luu shares his transformative journey, including his struggles with identity, community, and purpose before encountering the Dharma. Early Life and Search for Meaning: Growing up in Connecticut, Brother Phap Luu studied English literature at Dartmouth College. He explored anarchist movements in Europe and lived in organic farming communities, experiencing both inspiration and disillusionment. These experiences deepened his inquiry into suffering, community, and personal transformation. Meeting Spiritual Teachers: His encounter with a Western teacher and later Thích Nhất Hạnh (Thầy) provided clarity and inspiration. The advice, "Don't be a Buddhist; be the Buddha," profoundly influenced his approach to the path. Discovering Mindfulness Practice: Practicing the Four Establishments of Mindfulness during a difficult period helped him overcome depression and cultivate joy. This marked the beginning of his commitment to mindfulness and monastic life. Becoming a Monastic: Ordained in 2003 at Plum Village, France, Brother Phap Luu describes monastic life as a profound practice of non-self and community living. He values the precepts and ethics as foundational to transformation and expresses gratitude for Thầy's teachings and legacy. Community and Projects: Known for his boundless energy, Brother Phap Luu has contributed to initiatives like Wake Up for young practitioners, the Happy Farm, and hiking and science retreats. He reflects on balancing projects with mindfulness, cultivating non-attachment, and fostering harmony in the Sangha. Role of Monastics: Brother Phap Luu emphasizes the importance of monastics in balancing collective energy in society. He highlights the need for mindfulness, non-ideological approaches, and cultivating community harmony to address modern challenges like polarization and ecological crises. Download episode without music .

Nov 26, 2024

Sister Le Nghiem came to the practice after the death of her brother, and typically does solo retreat at the monastery for a few weeks a year. " So the practice gives me the greatest happiness. And this practice gives me being with others. Being with friends on retreat. Being with my siblings. Spending time each other. So when I practice it gives me happiness. And when my practice is deep, my happiness gets deeper. So it's all to do with the practice, nothing else. " 2:17 Death of Brother and Discovering Thay's Teachings 9:25 Meeting the Monastic Sangha, Deciding to Become a Nun 17:00 Spending Time with Family Before Ordination 23:08 Nourishment from Solitude 32:34 Advice for Potential Nuns 35:49 Greatest Happiness in Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . This is an interview from Meet the Monastics, hosted by Brother Minh An at Deer Park Monastery. The episode features Sister Le Nghiem, also known as Sister Respect, a monastic in the Plum Village tradition ordained in 2005 at the age of 35. Key Highlights: Journey to Monastic Life: She discovered mindfulness and Thích Nhất Hạnh's teachings during a difficult time after her brother's passing. Reading The Miracle of Mindfulness and joining a local Sangha in Brisbane were transformative, helping her heal and connect deeply with the Plum Village practice. Her aspiration to become a nun solidified after meeting Plum Village monastics during retreats in Australia. Family Challenges and Support: Coming from a non-Buddhist family, Sister Le Nghiem faced initial resistance to her decision to ordain. She postponed ordination in Vietnam in 2005 to spend quality time with her family, preparing them for her new path. Over time, her family grew to accept and support her choice. Solo Retreats and Community Life: Sister Le Nghiem finds nourishment in both solitary practice and community living. Her solo retreats allow her to connect deeply with herself, cultivating mindfulness and understanding. At the same time, she thrives in the Sangha environment, sharing the practice and building strong relationships with her monastic siblings. Inspiration for Young Women: Sister Le Nghiem advises aspiring nuns to focus wholeheartedly on the basic practices of mindfulness, which she believes are the foundation of a fulfilling monastic life. She emphasizes putting one's heart into the practice to find clarity and joy. The Role of Practice: Throughout her journey, Sister Le Nghiem highlights the central role of practice in cultivating happiness. Whether alone or with others, her deep commitment to mindfulness brings her the greatest fulfillment. This heartfelt interview offers insight into Sister Le Nghiem's spiritual path, her balance of solitude and community, and her unwavering dedication to the practice, which continues to inspire her daily life.

Nov 19, 2024

Sister Sr. Trung Chinh left Vietnam as a refugee and has been a nun for over fifty years. "The aspiration of a monk or a nun is that we have to arrive to the most peaceful place, the happiest place in ourselves. And there's only the daily practice. The daily practice only helps us to arrive to that place, that aspiration. It's the daily practice of each person. If each one of us do our best and lessen our hate, our love, our attachment, our anger, we let go of them day by day, then we can see we can love everybody." 2:44 Discovering Spirituality and Ordination 7:35 Dreaming of the Buddha and Meeting Great Teachers 12:39 Appreciation for Plum Village 16:55 Overcoming Difficulties, Waking Early, Balancing Practice 22:57 Chanting, Pleasing the Land Ancestors 33:23 Aspiration You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . This is an episode of the podcast Meet the Monastics by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, highlighting the story of Sister Trung Chinh, also known as Sister Abbess. Sister Abbess has been a monastic for over 50 years, ordained at 15 in Vietnam, and later joined Plum Village at the invitation of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). She eventually became one of the first monastics at Deer Park Monastery. Her journey reveals her deep connection to the Buddhist path, beginning in childhood amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War. After escaping Vietnam and living in various countries, she remained devoted to monastic life, finding solace and depth in Plum Village teachings. She shares her aspiration to embody Thay's teachings, practicing daily to cultivate peace, happiness, and love. She emphasizes the importance of community, gratitude for land ancestors, and integrating personal diligence with communal life. Throughout the interview, Sister Abbess reflects on the simplicity and depth of practice, the wisdom of Thay, and her hope that younger generations will continue the path of mindfulness and liberation. The episode ends with a reminder of the interconnectedness of personal and collective practice, gratitude to teachers and ancestors, and the importance of preserving Thay's legacy.

Nov 12, 2024

Brother Minh Nhan, one of the only monastics in the Plum Village tradition of Mexican descent, is a monk of many interests: music, mushrooms, math, and more. "To join a community that maybe looks different, maybe don't see others like myself in it, let's say. Yeah, I mean, that's one way to look at it, but look at it as also, you're the one entering that. And you needn't be the last one either." 1:54 Introduction to Spirituality 14:38 Dropping Out of College 20:33 Arriving at Deer Park 22:11 Depression 31:09 Practice, Study, Play, and Rest 36:32 Being a Mexican Buddhist Monk 40:14 Advice for Those Considering Monastic Life Source The Kalama Sutra You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . The "Meet the Monastics" podcast from Deer Park Monastery, hosted by Brother Minh An, features weekly conversations with monastics about their journeys and inspirations. In this episode, he interviews Brother Minh Nhan, also known as Brother Kindness, who shares his unique story as one of the few monastics of Mexican descent in the Plum Village tradition. Brother Minh Nhan's journey began with an interest in spirituality during high school, sparked by reading Siddhartha and the Kalama Sutta, which encouraged him to explore and trust his own experiences. He also found unexpected spiritual mentors through a yoga class he joined, thinking it was a pottery course. His college path led him to advanced studies in mathematics, but he eventually left academia, seeking a life of greater purpose and spiritual practice. This pivotal decision was influenced by his deepening mindfulness practice, which had provided stability during challenging times. Choosing monastic life allowed him to align his values with his desire to benefit others, realizing that spiritual practice could offer lasting peace and service to those around him. His reflections highlight the importance of play and simplicity in daily life, helping balance the rigorous study and introspection of monastic training. Brother Minh Nhan is committed to the practice and hopes one day to share Buddhism with the Mexican community, while continuing to grow in the Plum Village tradition. The episode encourages others to explore monastic life, emphasizing that a diverse community can be enriched by newcomers.

Nov 5, 2024

Sister Boi Nghiem studied nursing before being ordained, and works regularly as a nun with the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and teen communities. "I think I have a very healthy relationship with myself. Very healthy mental dialogue with myself. There were times I comforted myself. There were times I'm very firm with myself, tell myself to stop thinking that way. And they help. This is why I kept on sharing the importance of self-love. Because by the end of the day, it is the self-love that helped me, that saved me, that keeps me going. Because if I continue to criticize myself or have excessive negative thoughts, I cannot do much. It's very tiring. So I think that is the reason why that helped me not to fall into burnout."" 3:07 Heartbreak, Visiting Green Mountain, Deer Park, and Plum Village 6:37 Novicehood at Plum Village 11:40 Magnolia Grove Monastery 25:00 Interest in Social Injustice 28:34 Teens 34:42 LGBTQIA+ 40:55 BIPOC 53:26 Burnout 1:07:07 Basic Practice 1:17:25 Advice for Potential Monastics You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . This episode of "Meet the Monastics," hosted by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, shares insights into the lives and practices of monastics in the Plum Village tradition. In this episode, he interviews Sister Boi Nghiem (Sister True Pearl), who joined monastic life in 2005 at age 21. Sister Boi Nghiem emphasizes the significance of self-love and healthy inner dialogue as key practices to maintain well-being and prevent burnout. She shares her journey from a childhood in central Vietnam to immigrating to the U.S. and eventually finding spiritual direction after a difficult breakup. Initially drawn to Plum Village for personal healing, she gradually committed to monastic life. Sister Boi Nghiem has devoted herself to supporting diverse groups, including the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and teen communities. Her advocacy grew from personal experiences and a deep awareness of societal suffering, leading her to foster inclusivity in the Sangha. Her practice of mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude is nurtured by regular breathing exercises, walking meditation, and the support of her monastic community. The episode also highlights the foundational role of the Plum Village Sangha and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in fostering a mindful, compassionate, and engaged monastic community. Listen without the music track .

Oct 29, 2024

It's Meet the Monastics! Brother Phap Dung is a Vietnamese refugee who worked as an architect in Los Angeles before finding the practice, healing his relationship with his father, and changing the course of his life. "Now you get to choose, and it's deliberate. That is a monk. I choose to be in this intimate way with the community, with this path. I choose not to be in a romantic relationship. I choose to have real relationships with people I come across with. It's always a constant choice." 2:35 Meeting Thay and the Sangha 9:51 Joining the Buddhist "Enterprise" 14:40 Signs 19:28 Transformation 31:36 Advice for Potential Monastics 36:11 Love for Monastic Life 44:00 Engaged Buddhism You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation . In this episode of Meet the Monastics, Brother Minh An interviews Brother Phap Dung, also known as Brother Fabian or Brother Embrace. They explore Brother Phap Dung's journey from an architect in Los Angeles to becoming a monastic in the Plum Village tradition. Reflecting on his early experiences, Brother Phap Dung recalls his initial curiosity about Buddhism, sparked by a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). His journey to monastic life was marked by a deepening commitment to mindfulness practice, inspired by the peaceful yet vibrant presence of young monks and nuns. Brother Phap Dung shares memorable moments with Thay, who once invited him to join the "Buddhist enterprise," a phrase that would later resonate deeply with him. He speaks of the transformative insights he experienced through meditation, such as the ability to observe his thoughts without reacting. Over time, he shed attachments to his former identity, transitioning from societal expectations to a life of mindfulness and community service. The interview also delves into Brother Phap Dung's commitment to engaged Buddhism, particularly in addressing the climate crisis. He reflects on his presence at international conferences like COP26 as an opportunity to bring peace, deep listening, and loving speech into critical dialogues on environmental issues. Inspired by Thay's compassionate approach, Brother Phap Dung emphasizes the importance of connecting with others' humanity, even in challenging global discussions. Through his ongoing dedication to both personal and collective transformation, he aspires to live a life that inspires others to touch peace and mindfulness in their own lives.

Oct 22, 2024

Brother Minh Luong was raised in Laguna Beach, California, and went to NYU, where he read a book that changed his life. "I realized recently that there really is no separation between the practice and everything we do in our daily life. Either we're creating conditions for a practice space, like an internal practice space, or we're taking conditions away. And so if I can live in a calm and peaceful and serene way and do things that contribute to mindfulness and peace in my daily life, then I'll have a lot of success in my spiritual practice." 2:03 Introduction to Buddhism 5:58 Moving Home 8:50 Ideas about Monastic Life 13:49 India Trip and Meeting the Sangha 19:29 Why Monastic Life? 25:12 Sacrifice and Aspiration 31:19 Bhikshu Ordination 34:22 Moving to Thailand 39:03 Being a Western Monastic and Advice for those Interested You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation .

Oct 22, 2024

Sister Kinh Nghiem, one of the funniest and most stylish nuns in the world, was ordained when she was only 14. "Get rid of all of your ideas of what monastic practice is. You know, you come here, I mean, the practice is wonderful. And it's for you to come and see for yourself. But if you start getting ideas of what you expect monastic life to be like, you'll have a hard time. Because there's two sides to the coin, if you want to say it, you know? Sometimes the sisters have some expectation, and then you and yourself have some expectation. "Oh, I thought this was a Buddhist community. I think we're supposed to practice loving kindness and compassion and help, and everybody's so mean." You know, I mean, honestly, if you let go of the ideas and just focus on your bodhichitta, focus on what you want. And those other things of how people say things to you, which is sort of like, be a minor, it's not important." You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. AI Summary This podcast episode from Deer Park Monastery's Meet the Monastics features Brother Minh An interviewing Sister Kinh Nghiem, a long-time monastic who was ordained at the age of 14. The episode highlights Sister Kinh Nghiem's journey to monastic life, sharing stories from her childhood, growing up with a deeply Buddhist mother and a non-practicing Catholic father. Sister Kinh Nghiem's mother was a devoted follower of Thich Nhat Hanh, influencing Sister Kinh Nghiem's early exposure to Buddhism, despite her initial disinterest. At 14, Sister Kinh Nghiem attended a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh, and though she had no deep understanding of Buddhism or meditation at the time, his teachings resonated with her, especially on impermanence, suffering, and happiness. She experienced a personal awakening, realizing that she wanted to share these teachings with her peers and help others navigate life's challenges. Sister Kinh Nghiem reflects on her decision to become a monastic, noting how it wasn't initially about finding peace within herself but about helping her friends. She also shares how her parents reacted to her decision, with her mother ultimately allowing her to make the choice herself. Within weeks of attending the retreat, Sister Kinh Nghiem traveled to Plum Village in France, where she was ordained. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of letting go of preconceived ideas about monastic life. She explains that the path of a monastic is not about conforming to rigid expectations, but about staying true to one's intentions and practice, regardless of external challenges or judgments. For her, it was essential to maintain her individuality while also harmonizing with the monastic community. The episode closes with advice to those considering monastic life: approach it with an open mind, free from expectations, and be ready to face the personal responsibility it entails.

Oct 7, 2024

Weekly Episodes Starting October 15 From Deer Park Monastery, it's Meet the Monastics , a new podcast featuring interviews with fully ordained monks and nuns, hosted by Brother Minh An and produced by Kenley Neufeld. As monastics, the most common question asked of us is, you guessed it, why did you become a monastic? This podcast is for anyone who's ever wanted to ask that question. Each week, we'll bring you conversations with fully ordained monks and nuns about their journey to monastic life and what inspires them now. We hope they inspire you to live a happier, kinder, and more meaningful life. And who knows, maybe some of you will even consider monastic life yourself. Listen wherever you get your podcasts (search for Meet the Monastics) or on the Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel. Get a preview here: https://meetthemonastics.org

Jul 27, 2023

A Dharma talk with Br. Man Tue from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall at Deer Park Monastery during our Day of Mindfulness, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Our theme is how to stop, rest, and heal.

Jul 20, 2023

Sister Áo Nghiêm offered this beautiful and personal Dharma talk for our Day of Mindfulness on Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Apr 30, 2023

From our series of questions and responses on March 26, 2023 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation, we heard this question. When moments of personal suffering take over and have a combustable quality, what advice do you have for a person experiencing this? Or someone who is helping that person? Our response is offered by Sister Phu Nghiem.

Apr 21, 2023

From our series of questions and responses on March 26, 2023 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation, we heard this question. Thich Nhat Hanh says that anxiety means not being able to dwell in the present moment. But there are times when it is very difficult. In this kind of situation, what other suggestions do you have for coming back to the present moment? Our response is offered by Brother Phap Luu.

Apr 13, 2023

From our series of questions and responses on March 26, 2023 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation, we heard this question. How can I let go of attachment to worldly love? Our response is offered by Sister Huong Nghiem.

Apr 4, 2023

From our series of questions and responses on March 26, 2023 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation, we heard this question. Regarding the goals of the practice. What are the goals of the practice? Do I need to change my needs in life to be happier? Then there is the other end of the spectrum. How to practice? What exactly to relate to ones own needs for the purpose of alleviating suffering? Our response is offered by Sister Phu Nghiem.

Apr 1, 2023

On March 26, 2023 we held a session of Questions and Answers during our weekly Day of Mindfulness. Rather than release the entire session as one recording, we are offering question and response one at a time. This is the first question. How can we work with, in our practice, racial bias and cultural insensitivity? The response was offered by Brother Phap Dung.

Mar 23, 2023

From our Day of Mindfulness on Sunday, March 12, 2023 we hear a Dharma talk by Brother Ngo Khong, also known as Brother Freedom.

Mar 17, 2023

This is the English translation of the Dharma talk originally offered in Vietnamese by Thích Phước Tịnh. Translation provided by Sr. Dang Nghiem.

Mar 9, 2023

A Dharma talk offered during our Day of Mindfulness on Sunday, February 26 from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall. The talk was offered in Vietnamese and this is the English translation provided by Br. Earth.

Mar 2, 2023

The Dharma talk is in English from Sister Kinh Nghiem during our Day of Mindfulness on February 19, 2023 from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall.

Feb 22, 2023

Here we have a Dharma talk offered by Thay Pháp Xứ from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall at Deer Park Monastery on Sunday, February 12, 2023. The teaching is on a Day of Mindfulness with the theme The Power of True Love. Thay offers us one of his poems as the foundation for the teaching. This is a translation from the Vietnamese by Sister Mai Trang.

Jan 27, 2023

Dear friends, This is the English translation of a Dharma talk offered by Sr. Uyển Nghiêm at the close of the lunar new year. The talk occurred in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall with several hundred people present for the new year celebrations. During the talk, she uses poetry to explore the dharma plus a song is shared with those present. Please enjoy. The translation is offered by Br. Minh Dia.

Jan 13, 2023

The Dharma talk offered here by Thay Phap Luu took place on Sunday, January 2, 2023 on the last day of our annual Holiday Retreat. The theme for our holiday retreat this year is "The Path is Our Home" and over 300 people gather here at Deer Park Monastery from December 29th to January 2nd, 2023. Our talk theme is Confidence in the Dharma

Jan 5, 2023

Dec 31, 2022

During our 5-day Holiday Retreat with several hundred guests, the first Dharma talk of the retreat is offered by Sr. Dang Nghiem. The talk begins with an introduction to listening, followed by chanting the name of Avaloketeshvara, and then the dharma talk. We touch on neuroplasity, going home, four kinds of people, and the three refuges.

Dec 1, 2022

For our Day of Mindfulness today (Sunday November 27, 2022) the Dharma talk is offered by Sr. Thần Nghiêm. The talk is in English. Awareness of mind. Distraction. Mindfulness. Concentration.

Nov 23, 2022

On our Day of Mindfulness on November 20, 2022 Sr. Tuyết Nghiêm offered a talk with the theme "Open the Source of Love". This is the English translation of the talk originally given in Vietnamese.

Nov 17, 2022

A Dharma talk offered in Vietnamese with English translation provided here by Sister Dang Nghiem. The talk is offered by Sister Trúc Nghiêm with the theme Be An Observer, Not a Victim.

Nov 10, 2022

A Dharma talk offered by The Venerable Hòa Thượng Thích Phước Tịnh during our weekly Day of Mindfulness on November 6, 2022 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall. The sangha is practicing in the 90-Day Rains Retreat. The translation is offered by Sister Kinh Nghiem.

Oct 27, 2022

Today is Formal Lunch day and Thay Phap Hoi spends time sharing about this practice and uses as a lens to look into the spirit of our practice. Why do we practice the way we do? What is the role of formality? Can we practice in a way that makes sense and is understandable for this day and the next generation? For example, for millennia we have been a "four-fold" sangha and today we are beginning to use "multi-fold" sangha to better reflect our growing sangha. Our tradition is always changing and being updated and can also keep the spirit of Buddhism.

Oct 20, 2022

For our Day of Mindfulness on October 9, 2022, the Dharma talk was offered by Sr. Kính Nghiêm. The talk will be offered in English.

Sep 19, 2022

Today is the opening of the annual Rains Retreat and our Dharma talk is offered by the Most Venerable Thích Phước Tịnh. He speaks in Vietnamese and Sr. Kinh Nghiem offers the English translation in this recording. Our theme is the Four Establishments of Mindfulness and preparing for the Rains Retreat. Sunday, September 18, 2022 Deer Park Monastery, Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall

Sep 15, 2022

The talk is offered in English on September 11, 2022 in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall. Sister Dang Nghiem speaks of the Seven Factors of Awakening in the context of war and peace. You can reference the following book regarding the discourse she taught today. The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (The Teachings of the Buddha)

Sep 5, 2022

Here we offer the third Dharma talk for "The Buddha, The Scientist" Retreat at Deer Park from August 31-September 4, 2022. Exploring the Intersection of Buddhism, Psychology and Neuroscience through the Embodied Practice of Mindfulness. The talk is offered in English by Br. Pháp Dung

Sep 3, 2022

Here we offer a session of Questions and Answers during "The Buddha, The Scientist" Retreat at Deer Park from August 31-September 4, 2022. Exploring the Intersection of Buddhism, Psychology and Neuroscience through the Embodied Practice of Mindfulness. The panel includes Sr.Đẳng Nghiêm, Br. Pháp Dung, and Br.Phap Lưu

Sep 2, 2022

Here we offer the first Dharma talk for "The Buddha, The Scientist" Retreat at Deer Park from August 31-September 4, 2022. Exploring the Intersection of Buddhism, Psychology and Neuroscience through the Embodied Practice of Mindfulness. In this talk we continue exploring Buddhist psychology and the 51 mental formations. The talk is offered in English by Br. Phap Lưu

Sep 1, 2022

Here we offer the first Dharma talk for "The Buddha, The Scientist" Retreat at Deer Park from August 31-September 4, 2022. Exploring the Intersection of Buddhism, Psychology and Neuroscience through the Embodied Practice of Mindfulness. The talk is offered in English by Sr. Hương Nghiêm

Sep 1, 2022

Here we offer the orientation for "The Buddha, The Scientist" Retreat at Deer Park from August 31-September 4, 2022. Exploring the Intersection of Buddhism, Psychology and Neuroscience through the Embodied Practice of Mindfulness. The introduction is offered in English by Br. Mãn Tuệ & Sr. Thần Nghiêm

Aug 28, 2022

Today we offer a translated Dharma talk by Thay Phap Hoi, one of the elders in our community.

Aug 25, 2022

Today we have a translated Dharma talk with Brother Phap Ao and Sister Uyen Nghiem. The theme for the talk is froglessness. How do we practice when our mind when it sometimes behaves like a frog?

Aug 19, 2022

In our episode today we enjoyed our talk from Thầy Phap Luu and learn the joys of a hammock meditation

Jul 9, 2022

This is our third day and this is the second Dharma talk. Included in this talk is a teaching on the Five Mindfulness Trainings and teaching for the children. Our teacher today is Thay Phap Dung. This is a happy moment. It's been 3-years since our last Family Retreat and we are happy for its return. We hope you are too! Our theme this year is Harmony at Home, Peace all Around.

Jul 8, 2022

We welcome 160 people to our "annual" Family Retreat this year. The theme of the retreat is Harmony at Home, Peace all Around. This is our second day and the first Dharma talk. The talk is offered by Sister Thoại Nghiêm, an elder in our community.

Jul 7, 2022

This is a happy moment. It's been 3-years since our last Family Retreat and we are happy for its return. We hope you are too! Our theme this year is Harmony at Home, Peace all Around. This is arrival day and we begin with an orientation to the practice with Sr. Ân Nghiem and Br. Pháp Áo.

Jul 1, 2022

As part of our in-person Day of Mindfulness, we will hear a Dharma talk from Su Co Hương Nghiêm in English. The Three Learnings 1. Listen 2. Reflect 3. Practice And Dwelling Happily in the Present moment

Jun 23, 2022

During our recent Teen Camp, Sr. Dang Nghiem offered a Dharma talk to the 100 teens in attendance. The theme of the retreat is Enough! Enough! You Are Enough! and she builds on this during her talk. We learn about the Power of Understanding, the Power of Love, and the Power of Freedom. The date of the recording is Thursday, June 16, 2022

Jun 16, 2022

For our episode this week, we offer the Dharma talk given by Thầy Pháp Nhỉ on Sunday, June 12, 2022; a Day of Mindfulness. Translation is provided by Sr. Phu Nghiem.

Jun 8, 2022

As part of our in-person Day of Mindfulness, we will hear a Dharma talk from Su Co Thần Nghiêm in English. Some of the topics include: Hiking/Camping trip the monastics recently took to Utah Revision to the Third Mindfulness Training Four ways to support others in the practice We hope you enjoy this episode.

May 19, 2022

This is the English translation of the talk offered in Vietnamese by Hòa Thượng Thích Phước Tịnh on our Vesak celebration day. We discover teachings on anxiety, popularity, and science. The translation is provided by Sr. Dang Nghiem.

May 10, 2022

This is the English translation of the talk given in Vietnamese on Mothers Day. Our special teacher today is Su Co Chan Vi who is visiting Deer Park for a few weeks. Su Co is one our eldest monastic sisters in our tradition and we're very happy to have her talk of mothers, Thay, and also sing a few songs.

May 4, 2022

The dharma talk was offered on Sunday, May 1, 2022 during our weekly Day of Mindfulness. Today was particularly special as we recognized that Thay passed away 100-days ago and we also scattered his ashes on Mother Earth. The talk was offered in Vietnamese and this is the English translation by Sr. Kinh Nghiem.

Apr 28, 2022

Deer Park is practicing with the sangha for a Day of Mindfulness. The date is April 24, 2022 and we are in the Ocean of Peace Mediation Hall is Sr. Dac Nghiem is teaching. The Dharma talk was originallly offered in Vietnamese and this is the English translation.

Apr 19, 2022

At the recent Wake Up Retreat, 10% identified as neither male or female. Attendees self-identified as non-binary, fluid, queer, trans, and gender non-conforming. Thay Phap Dung explores his experiences and feelings of this reality. He relates it to Buddhist concepts of non-dualism and notions. The Buddha said 100% of our perception is wrong. From here we learn about suchness, representation and mere images

Apr 15, 2022

Friday, April 8, 2022. Wake Up Retreat. Our retreat theme is Beginning Now and this is the Second Dharma Talk for the retreat. Thay Phap Luu offers the Dharma talk. Store consciousness. Mindfulness. Interbeing. The last portion of the talk, we learn more about the Five Mindfulness Trainings with three lay practitioners sharing their experience. We have 115 young adults (18-35) in attendance for this 5-day retreat.

Mar 25, 2022

Our dharma talk today was offered by Thay Phap Hoi, an elder in our community. At the request of the sangha, he traveled to Vietnam to participate in the memorial services for Thich Nhat Hanh. He shares about his trip, participating in the memorial, and being in Vietnam again. The talk was originally given in Vietnamese and this is the English translation provided by Brother Minh Dia.

Mar 16, 2022

This is the English translation of the dharma talk offered by Su Co Dang Nghiem on Saturday, March 12, 2022 during our Memorial Weekend Retreat: We Have a Path Retreat. The original teaching was offered in Vietnamese.

Mar 11, 2022

This is the English translation, by Sr. Dang Nghiem, of the dharma talk offered on a Day of Mindfulness at Deer Park Monastery. March 6, 2022

Feb 9, 2022

This vulnerable and touching dharma talk about "Continuing Thay's Aspiration" by Brother Phap Dung, a senior Plum Village Dharma Teacher was offered during Memorial week for Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It began 11am Friday, January 28, 2022. The talk will be streamed live from Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California.

Jan 20, 2022

Jan 19, 2022

The Venerable offers a lovely dharma talk for the community as we close the 90-Day Rains Retreat at Deer Park. This is a dubbed translation. Editor's Note: The English translation isn't perfectly aligned with the Vietnamese, but the language is present and pretty close

Jan 12, 2022

Today we offer a dharma talk from Su Co Dang Nghiem (Sr. D) based on Thich Nhat Hanh's book "How To Live When a Loved One Dies" - the dharma talk is in English.

Dec 20, 2021

Dec 15, 2021

During the annual Rains Retreat at Deer Park, we have been hosting a weekly Day of Mindfulness. The overall theme for our 90-Day Retreat is Non-Fear and Non-Anxiety. Each week a dharma teacher uses one of Thay's books as the jumping off place for the teaching. This week is Thay's book Being Peace .

Mar 23, 2021

Mar 3, 2021

Mar 3, 2021

Jan 11, 2021

Jan 5, 2021

Dec 29, 2020

Nov 3, 2020

Oct 13, 2020

Translated by Sister Dang Nghiem

Sep 24, 2020

Sep 22, 2020

Sep 17, 2020

Translated by Brother Troi Minh Dia

Sep 15, 2020

Translated by Brother Troi Minh Dia

Sep 13, 2020

Translated by Sister Dang Nghiem

Sep 11, 2020

Sep 9, 2020

Sep 7, 2020

Sep 4, 2020

Translated by Br.Troi Minh Dia

Sep 2, 2020

Translated by Br.Troi Minh Dia

Aug 31, 2020

Aug 29, 2020

Aug 25, 2020

Aug 23, 2020

Aug 21, 2020

Translated by Sister Kinh Nghiem

May 17, 2020

May 17, 2020

May 17, 2020

Mar 31, 2020

Mar 31, 2020

Mar 31, 2020

Mar 30, 2020

Mar 24, 2020

Mar 23, 2020

In Praise of Mother Earth (PDF)

Mar 23, 2020

Mar 15, 2020

Feb 16, 2020

Jan 25, 2020

Jan 24, 2020

Jan 23, 2020

Holiday Retreat 2019 Orientation given by Sister Le Nghiem and Brother Pham Hanh

Dec 1, 2019

Sister Dang Nghiem shares on right view

Nov 30, 2019

Sister Man Nghiem shares about consciousness and right livelihood.

Nov 30, 2019

Thay Phap Tuyen talks about the " Discourse on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone " Translation by Sister Dang Nghiem

Nov 24, 2019

Thay Phap Luu shares about sense impression and selective watering.

Nov 17, 2019

Translation by Sister Kinh Nghiem

Oct 20, 2019

Translation by Sister Dang Nghiem

Oct 13, 2019

Translation by sister Kinh Nghiem

Oct 13, 2019

Sister abbess share about cultivating happiness. Translated by Sister Huong Nghiem

Sep 29, 2019

Sister Kinh Nghiem shares insights on practicing with the body and interbeing with edible food.

Sep 21, 2019

This talk was given on the opening day of the 90 Day Fall Retreat. Translated by Sister Man Nghiem (Sister Brightness)

Sep 16, 2019

Thay Phap Ho shares about his pilgrimage to India, practicing for the Earth, and the 16 breathing exercises.

Sep 16, 2019

From the second session of Family Retreat 2019.

Sep 15, 2019

From the second session of Family Retreat 2019.

Sep 15, 2019

Facilitated by Thay Phap Hai during the second session of Family Retreat 2019

Sep 14, 2019

From the second session of Family Retreat 2019.

Sep 14, 2019

From the second session of Family Retreat 2019.

Sep 10, 2019

Brother Phap Ho (Brother Protection) and Sister Truc Nghiem (Sister Bamboo) gives orientation for the second session of Family Retreat 2019.

Sep 8, 2019

Sister Dang Nghiem's sharing with a group of physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc. at Kaiser Permanente.

Aug 25, 2019

Aug 18, 2019

Aug 10, 2019

Facilitated by Thay Phap Hai

Aug 7, 2019

Aug 7, 2019

Jul 31, 2019

Brother Phap Ho and Sister Truc Nghiem (Sister Bamboo) gives orientation for the first session of Family Retreat 2019.

Feb 27, 2019

Sister Dang Nghiem commentaries on the Tale of Kiều. Translated from Vietnamese by Sister Huong Nghiem. Talk in Vietnamese: https://youtu.be/xkG8cQZ_Irw

Nov 24, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Thay Phap Dang offers guidance to to help us slow down, calm down and flush out unhelpful perceptions in order to wake up to happiness and a clear mind.

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 2, 2018

Thay Phap Hai offers guidance reflecting personal experiences, current events, dharma teachings & beautiful poetry. We are welcomed to give ourselves permission to be fully present to what is happening, experience ease and also explore any reactivity to situations. There's an invitation to look at darkness' we face individually and as a nation with curiosity & openness, to see what is actually happening in order to wake up to kindness & live fully in the present moment.

May 23, 2018

Sr. Dang Nghiem reflects on her own transforming suffering, heartbreak, letting go and realizing better health & relationship to oneself & others.

May 13, 2018

Sr Kinh Nghiem shares her own questions and answers about true love for ourselves and the other. Her reflections come from personal experience and current events.

Feb 28, 2018

Feb 3, 2018

Translation by Sr Kinh Nghiem

Jan 13, 2018

Brother Kai Ly shares about Bodhicitta, the mind of love. There are also several wonderful stories about how he met with Thay and the valuable lessons that he learned from these encounters.

Dec 28, 2017

Translation by Sr Man Nghiem

Dec 17, 2017

Dec 10, 2017

Dharma talk from Venerable Phuoc Tinh on the opening day of the Winter 2017-2018 Retreat. Translation by Sister Kinh Nghiem.

Nov 22, 2017

Dear Beloved Listeners , Brother Phap Dung started with a talk for the children, please excuse us for not having the complete recording of this portion. Following this portion, Brother Phap Dung shares his experience of returning to the US during the 2017 US tour.

Nov 6, 2017

This is the Third Dharma talk of the retreat offered by Brother Phap Luu at Deer Park Monastery on September 17, 2017. The retreat theme is Awakening the Source of Understanding. The retreat is part of the larger US Tour with the theme Awakening Together.

Oct 15, 2017

During this question and answer session with Brother Phap Dung, Sister Huong Nghiem, Lyn Fine, and John Salerno-White we listen to seven questions. The date is September 16, 2017 at Deer Park Monastery. The retreat theme is Awakening the Source of Understanding. The retreat is part of the larger US Tour with the theme Awakening Together. 1. What are the forms/practices in our community that exists for shining eyes on something we witness? 2. Being angry/negative and the use of products like Nestle (which is used at the monastery). 3. How do we honor the tradition of our lineage and recognize and support multiple genders? 4. How do I better recognize and water the seeds of determination and practice? 5. What is the equality complex? 6. Story of suffering. 7. Needing support in finding my tribe, my sangha. How do I heal this sense of not belonging?

Oct 4, 2017

This is the Second Dharma talk of the retreat offered by Sr. Thệ Nghiêm at Deer Park Monastery on September 15, 2017. Topics include Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight and the Four Kinds of Nutriments. The retreat theme is Awakening the Source of Understanding. The retreat is part of the larger US Tour with the theme Awakening Together. Video: https://youtu.be/2AvpHoBHPIg

Sep 26, 2017

This is the First Dharma talk of the retreat offered by Sister Dang Nghiem at Deer Park Monastery on September 13, 2017. The retreat theme is Awakening the Source of Understanding. The retreat is part of the larger US Tour with the theme Awakening Together. Video: https://youtu.be/mrThKTx-A9M

Jul 1, 2017

Translation by Sr Bach Nghiem

Jun 16, 2017

The Venerable shares his personal experience along with ancient Buddhist practice methods of successfully handling life's changes and impermanence. Key components of this talk are creating harmony in relationships by first caring for our own body, mind and feelings. In described marriage ceremony, "mixing earth and lighting a candle" becomes a valuable metaphor of individuals coming together, transcending such differences as cultural backgrounds and race with right effort for a successful union. We are taught to live with greater happiness by having: faith, precepts/trainings, generosity and insight. The art of happiness is a skill that takes effort; much more effort than the art of fear, despair and anger. We are encouraged to begin practicing when we're young, to learn and mature the practice of true love, known as the 4 immeasurable minds; cultivating love for ourselves and others. By learning to love ourselves when young, we can avoid the complex of inferiority and take better care of our body, and other 4 skandhas. We learn that deep feelings of self-care are developed during childhood with parental acts of unconditional love. Our self-care and happiness are gifts for those around us.

Jun 5, 2017

From Wake Up 2017 Retreat

May 20, 2017

Sister Kinh Nghiem offers meditation of the body.

May 10, 2017

In this talk, Brother Phap Ho shares on the theme of this year's Wake Up Retreat, Loving Yourself, Healing the World. He talks about his personal experience with mindfulness, concentration and insight emerging in the light of the four elements of love. With our daily practice guided by the Five Mindfulness Trainings, we can create healing for ourselves, for those around us, and for the wider world. Enjoy.

May 3, 2017

Sister Kinh Nghiem offers insights on cultivating true love using the Buddha's discourse on love, and including her personal experience. She offers guidance on being at peace by utilizing loving speech and having relationships with qualities of being upright, honest, just, and humble. Weaved within the talk are practices of having reverence for the other, watering each other's positive seeds, and letting go of pride. Practical ways of applying true love are offered by using the 6 mantras.

Apr 27, 2017

Thay Phap Dang shares about the thresholds into our personal practice for joy, happiness and compassion.

Apr 3, 2017

The flowers are blooming in the hidden mountains of Deer Park. Much freshness and aliveness flows through the valley and this sharing. This is the second talk of the Spring Season offered by Sister Man Nghiem (Sr Brightness).

Mar 25, 2017

Brother Phap Ho continues to share about the practice of meditation through the Discourse on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. This is the second half from the Dharma Talk on 2017-03-19 and focuses on the practice of the Objects of Mind in the Objects of Mind, in regard to the 5 Hindrances: sensual desire, anger/ill-will, dullness/drowsiness, agitation/restlessness, and doubt.

Mar 19, 2017

This is a translation of Most Venerable Phuoc Tinh's talk on the last day of Winter Retreat. This is an English translation of the talk.

Mar 12, 2017

Sister Mai Nghiem shares her practice of recognizing, embracing and transforming suffering. She also shares the teaching of the noble eight fold path, the four nutriments, including how different types of relationship are nutriments. Sister's Mai Nghiem poem: ☀ Why i don t want to be call an ally, ☀ Ally From the moment i first heard the word, i got allergic to it...an ally allergy. Why? Well, the first thing is that in my french brain, "les alliés", as we call them, are the good Americans and British soldiers coming to save us from the evil Germans. Word of war, violence, and partisan conflicts. But deeper than that, my brother, if you call me an ally, i'll get offended. Why? 'cause i expect you, to have a higher expectation of me. I expect you to expect me to fully embrace who i am. I expect you to expect me to break open, I expect you to expect me to show my shit with no shame This is why i do not want to be an ally 'cause i don t wanna help I don t wanna be the "good intentionned white folk" feeling so bad about it all ...and yet so disconnected... For as long as i don't understand how ignorant i am There is no hope As long as i don't see myself as a slave merchant, a fanatic missionary or a murderer There is no hope As long as i refuse to understand how an entire society can see going on a "picnic" as being a pleasant family outing There is no hope As long as i shut my body and mind to the unspoken, unknown, unfelt yet raging pain of a human whipping an other human to death There is no hope For as long as i keep greed, money, power, fame and sex as the only gods in my life There is no hope No hope for any of the rainbow children on our beautiful Blue Mother I heard the Earth whisper one day, that "Fearlessness is not the absence of fear but the willingness to walk into it". This is what my white ancestors are asking me to do: "Walk right into the darkness, Right into the thick mist of whiteness And free us from our ignorance Heal our ancestral wounds.... Centuries of hatred, pride, discrimination, fear and violence. Who will hear our cries for help if not you? Who will quench our thirst for true amendment if not you? Who will deliver our souls from the chains of guilt if not you? For as long as true healing isn't taking place, Suffering will remain the world's pace". This is the voice of the ancestors begging for our courage and love, Echoing the Angel's song "It is the willingness to offer our best, claim responsibility for our worst and fold it all into the continuous moment to moment practice of simply being present to what is, that promises to deliver our future". That's why i don't wanna be an ally ...I wanna a be a healer

Mar 4, 2017

Brother Phap Ho is offering 6 classes during this winter retreat 2016-2017, on the first three foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind. Below is a summary of the sixth class. The recording includes sharing and instructions, as well as practice and some questions and responses at the end. We hope you enjoy listening and practicing with us.

Feb 20, 2017

In the third to last Dharma Talk for the Winter Retreat series, Thay Phap Dang shares about how we can return to the present moment, how to relax and encourages us to walk on the Earth. Thay also share about the realm of perception and how to practice to love and accept. How can we look at a person with clear awareness, without judgement, just as when we look at a flower? Find a calm place to listen to this talk, enjoy your breathing and the Dharma rain. May this sharing be of benefit.

Feb 20, 2017

Brother Phap Ho is offering 6 classes during this winter retreat 2016-2017, on the first three foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind. Below is a summary of the forth class. The recording includes sharing and instructions, as well as practice. We hope you enjoy listening and practicing with us.

Feb 11, 2017

In this talk Sr Hang Nghiem shows a clip from one of Thay's talk in 2004, invites us to be light and playful in our practice. Our sister offers a song and commentary. Translation by Sister Bach Nghiem.

Feb 4, 2017

Brother Phap Ho is offering 6 classes during this winter retreat 2016-2017, on the first three foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind. Below is a summary of the forth class. The recording includes sharing and instructions, as well as practice and questions at the end. We hope you enjoy listening and practicing with us.

Jan 29, 2017

In this talk Thay Phap Hai shares with us how to enter through the door of signlessness in order to practice with perceptions and preconceived notions.

Jan 23, 2017

Thay Phap Dang offers a beautiful and insightful talk with Emptiness (Sunyata) as main theme. As you listen to the Dharma Talk, allow it to wash over your like a sprinkling rain. Allow yourself to sit comfortably and follow your breathing, relaxing your body. May this talk and your practice bring about great benefit.

Jan 15, 2017

Nurturing our Roots, Strengthening our Branches, this months focus is the present moment. In this talk Sr Kinh Nghiem (Sr Reverence) shares about the monastic practice of sharing a room, changing room and hamlets. Our sister use a Russian doll to help us go deeper into ourselves, to embrace our sorrow and to nurture our joy. As you listen to this talk you can enjoy the natural flow of your breathing in and out of your body. May this sharing and your practice be of benefit you in your daily life.

Jan 11, 2017

Brother Phap Ho is offering 6 classes during this winter retreat 2016-2017, on the first three foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind. Below is a summary of the third class. The recording includes sharing and instructions, as well as practice and questions at the end. We hope you enjoy listening and practicing with us. Here is the image, drawn on the board, regarding our consciousness and sense doors:

Jan 7, 2017

This talk was offered by Most Venerable Phuoc Tinh during our New Years Day of Mindfulness. The Venerable's teaching invites us to experience life deeply and enjoy the wonders of spring every day. The poem in Vietnamese is: Ai trói lại mong cầu giải thoát Chẳng phàm nào phải kiếm thần tiên Vượn nhàn, ngựa mỏi, người đã lão Như cũ am mây trang một chõng thiền. Sister Kinh Nghiem helped translate this talk.

Dec 25, 2016

Brother Phap Don offers a peaceful and joyful setting for this talk. He shares his experience in arriving and enjoying each step as well as how to connect with nature for nourishment and healing. This talk is based in continuous practice, present moment, peaceful and happy dwelling. May this sharing be of benefit.

Dec 21, 2016

Brother Phap Ho is offering 6 classes during this winter retreat 2016-2017, on the first three foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind. Below is a summary of the second class. The recording includes sharing and instructions, as well as practice and questions at the end. We hope you enjoy listening and practicing with us.

Dec 17, 2016

This talk was offered in Vietnamese by Sr Truc Nghiem (Sr Bamboo) during our weekend with Order of Interbeing members of Southern California. It was translated by Sr Bach Nghiem (Sr Clarity). Our sister shares about how we can practice mindful breathing and stopping with the sound on the bell in order to nurture our calm and capacity to dwell in the present. She also shares how this ongoing practice can help us come in contact with and transform suffering deep in our consciousness.

Dec 11, 2016

This Dharma Talk is the second for our Winter Retreat. The theme for the Sunday Dharma Talks this winter is: Nurturing our Roots, Strengthening our Branches - essentials of Plum Village Practice. Thay Phap Dang recently moved to Deer Park Monastery from Plum Village in France.

Dec 5, 2016

Brother Phap Ho is offering 6 classes during this winter retreat 2016-2017, on the first three foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind. Below is a summary of the first class. The recording includes sharing and instructions, as well as practice and a question a the end. We hope you enjoy listening and practicing with us.

Dec 4, 2016

Enjoy 30 minutes silent sitting meditation with the Sangha of Solidity Hamlet. Br Phap Ho offers some introduction to sitting: following our breathing, as well as the Evening Chant.

Dec 4, 2016

Talk from Winter 2016-2017 Retreat Opening Day. Translated by Sister Kinh Nghiem.

Nov 23, 2016

Br. Phap Vu reflects on the 2016 US election, shares how to practice with its results and ends with a short question and answer session. A short biography of Br. Phap Vu: http://www.tnhtour.org/2015/09/03/meet-the-monastics-chan-phap-vu/

Oct 5, 2016

2016 Mindfulness Retreat for People of Color Dear Friends, This is the Question & Answer Session (and final recording) from The Path of True Love: Healing Ourselves mindfulness retreat for People of Color. We are deeply grateful to our teachers Br. Larry Ward, Rev. angel Kyodo williams and Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Br. Man Tue, Sister Hang Nghiem for all the shining wisdom, compassion, joy and skillfulness they offered nourishing our healing and inspiring wise action. Some of the questions posed: 1. What do we do about our public schools? 2. How do we handle our anger? i.e. police violence 3. How do we help others when we are being triggered? 4. How do we continue our meditation when anxiety comes up? 5. How do we partner in activism for collective liberation? 6. How have you strived to perfect love in this practice? ...and others Let us now stop, listen deeply and contemplate these teachings and sharings to cultivate our individual and collective healing and great aspiration to strengthen the Beloved Community. You can also listen to these talks on the Deer Park Dharmacast Soundcloud page https://soundcloud.com/deerparkdharmacast/

Sep 21, 2016

2016 Mindfulness Retreat for People of Color Dear Friends, We are happy to continue sharing the Dharma talks from The Path of True Love: Healing Ourselves, our recent mindfulness retreat for People of Color. Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel begins her talk by reflecting on her early encounter with Zen as a person of color. Rev. Zenju refers to people of color meditation groups as "cultural sanctuaries" and responds to the perceptions of these spaces as "exclusionary" and counter to "oneness." Rev. Zenju also presents the teachings on store consciousness and the direct experience of transformation when seeds arise. Rev. Zenju also reads selections from her latest work, The Way of Tenderness: Awakening Through Race, Sexuality, and Gender. A few excerpts Rev. Zenju's talk: We as people of color have specific spiritual work to contend with, and the term "people of color" suggests that work rather than the idea of separation based on skin color for the sake of harming those who are white---that is not the intention. *** The civil rights movement...it wasn't about us being able to sit at the counter in Newberry's to eat hamburgers...it wasn't just that. It was about love, creating love and seeing people as people and creating love and to rid ourselves of a consciousness of hatred. That's what that movement was about. Of course, we took some of the gifts that came out of that movement, the civil rights movement, but at the same time, it was still misunderstood that it was for one particular group of people when it was for the entire humanity. *** My embodiment was exactly where the awakening was going to happen. Where else was it going to happen? It wasn't going to drop from the sky. I've been given a gift about who I am, all that I have experienced so that I can awaken to something much larger than that, much further than that---and still have that...When I began to see this is my gateway...I felt I needed to share with people that we already have what we need to head toward enlightenment or to engage it, to engage oneness. I can engage oneness because I am here, the oneness that is right here...When I began to see this embodiment was the gateway to boundlessness, I began to walk it differently--not where it was something that burdened me, but something that could be used... --Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Let us now stop, listen deeply and contemplate these teachings and sharings to cultivate our individual and collective healing and awakening. To stay connected with Rev. Zenju, visit http://zenju.org/.

Sep 17, 2016

2016 Mindfulness Retreat for People of Color Dear Friends, We are happy to continue sharing the Dharma talks from The Path of True Love: Healing Ourselves, our recent mindfulness retreat for People of Color. Today, Rev. angel Kyodo williams offers a presentation and reading based on the newly published book, Radical Dharma. In this sharing, Rev. angel invites us into a long overdue conversation about race alongside love and liberation. As part of this conversation, Rev. angel speaks about the social construct of whiteness, while calling us back into our humanity and to be in touch with the "thing underneath the thing." A few excerpts: "...we have the greatest potential to actually pull it up at its roots. Interestingly enough, we have that opportunity through this gift of the Dharma that actually invites us to be able to look with clear seeing eyes at things that are not real...that are figments of our imagination and figments of other people's imaginations...Race is a grand social figment." "As Dharma teachers, the way we survived the aggression and violence of a white dominant form of Dharma that was coming to us---is that we got underneath the thing. We got to the thing underneath the thing. We had to get down to who we really were. And simultaneously appreciate our teachers, our lineages, the texts as they were given but also have a fundamental trust in who we were in our basic humanity." "What does Dharma become when it's expressed through the experience of someone who lives in a Black body." --Rev. angel Kyodo williams Let us now stop, listen deeply and contemplate these teachings and sharings to cultivate our individual and collective liberation and great aspiration to strengthen the Beloved Community. To stay connected with Rev. angel, visit http://angelkyodowilliams.com.

Sep 11, 2016

2016 Mindfulness Retreat for People of Color Dear Friends, We are happy to continue sharing the Dharma talks from The Path of True Love: Healing Ourselves, our recent mindfulness retreat for People of Color. Today's Dharma talk, entitled "Engaging the Five Mindfulness Trainings" was offered by Br. Larry Ward on the second morning of our retreat. You can read more about The Five Mindfulness Trainings: The Path of Happiness here. Let us now stop, listen deeply and contemplate these teachings and sharings to cultivate our individual and collective healing and great aspiration to strengthen the Beloved Community. To stay connected with Brother Larry Ward, visit The Lotus Institute http://www.thelotusinstitute.org/. "The calling of the Lotus Institute is to offer mindfulness teachings, principles and practices that encourage individual healing and transformation, professional growth, and development in ways that enhance planetary, social evolution."

Aug 28, 2016

2016 Mindfulness Retreat for People of Color Dear Friends, We are happy to begin sharing the Dharma talks from The Path of True Love: Healing Ourselves, from our recent mindfulness retreat for People of Color. Today's Dharma talk, entitled "The Alchemy of Grief: Turning Suffering into Light" was offered by Br. Larry Ward on the first morning of our retreat. Br. Larry provided a general outline of his talk: Poem Why I Practice It's About Love (verb) Yoniso and Ayoniso Nutriments and De-Nutriments Poem Let us now stop, listen deeply and contemplate these teachings and sharings to cultivate our individual and collective healing and great aspiration to strengthen the Beloved Community. To stay connected with Brother Larry Ward, visit The Lotus Institute http://www.thelotusinstitute.org/. "The calling of the Lotus Institute is to offer mindfulness teachings, principles and practices that encourage individual healing and transformation, professional growth, and development in ways that enhance planetary, social evolution."

Apr 15, 2016

Dear Friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast - Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today, we bring you Thich Nhat Hanh's new translation of the Heart Sutra as chanted by monastics at Deer Park Monastery. To read about the Heart Sutra and Thich Nhat Hanh's reasons for the new translation, head to the article at plumvillage.org . May this new translation bring us closer to clear understanding and may everything be illuminated. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 14, 2016

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Before the talks of the Miracle of Mindfulness Tour, the monastics offered chanting in both English and Vietnamese. Today, we offer those to you. May they fill your heart with joy and peace. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 28, 2016

Dear Friends, Today we offer a deep sharing from Brother Phap Ho as he sits with a flowing creek under swaying bamboo at Deer Park Monastery. The Earth Holder Sangha has been forming in North America in 2015 and is sprouting in other parts of the world. This is an outgrowth of the Earth Holding Here and Now Blog and the Theme Weekend on Earth Holding at Deer Park in 2013. We are thrilled to announce that Deer Park will host the first Earth Holder Retreat: For a Future to Be Possible, April 28 - May 1, 2016 . Our brother invites us to awaken the Earth Holderbodhisattvas in our hearts -- seeing our connection with nature and the path of our planet with love and peace. Breathing joyfully with our surroundings, we can see truth more clearly. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 21, 2016

Dear Friends, In the last podcast of the series on Full Awareness of Breathing, Brother Phap Dang shares the final three exercises. Our brother gently walks us into the deep teachings of non-self, non-duality, and letting go. We hope you have benefited greatly from the monastics that shared during the Miracle of Mindfulness Tour. Now enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 14, 2016

Dear Friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week we share the continuation of Brother Phap Dang's sharing on the thirteenth exercise of Full Awareness of Breathing. From his personal experiences with impermanence, our brother shows us clearly the value of letting go of our ideas and perceptions. May this sharing move us to recognize our clinging and suffering. Now enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jan 25, 2016

Dear Friends, This week we continue our series on Full Awareness of Breathing with Brother Phap Dang's final talk of the Miracle of Mindfulness Tour. Before delving into the last four exercises, he shares on both the deception of our perceptions and the bright light of insight. May this sharing lead you to the path of clarity. Now enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jan 11, 2016

Dear friends, Today we continue Sister Tue Nghiem's talk on the mind and the exercises of Full Awareness of Breathing. She shares the next four exercises and the benefits of being aware of our mental formations. May this dharma rain water the seeds of confidence, strength and liberation for you and all those around you. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jan 2, 2016

Dear friends, Today we continue to share talks from the Miracle of Mindfulness Tour. Sister Tue Nghiem shares the Buddhist framework of the mind and mental formations. She invites to let go of our rigid perceptions of truth and embrace the mantra given to us by Thay, "Are you sure?" Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 29, 2015

Dear Friends, Today, we continue Brother Phap Khoi's talk from the Miracle of Mindfulness Tour. He shares the seventh and eighth exercises from the Full Awareness of Breathing: awareness of mental formations and calming our mental formations. In addition, our brother speaks about practicing in sanghas and how we can foster harmony. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 20, 2015

Dear Friends, Continuing our sharing from the Miracle of Mindfulness Tour, today's dharmacast is from Brother Phap Khoi. Our brother shares the fifth and sixth exercises of Full Awareness of Breathing: cultivating joy and cultivating happiness. May this Dharma taught by the Buddha and our teacher, Thay, water the beautiful flowers in your heart. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 12, 2015

Dear friends, This week we continue with Sister Dang Nghiem's sharing on the first four exercises in the Buddha's teaching on mindful breathing. Dwelling in the body grounds us. With our breath, solid concentration and kind relaxation, we can begin to walk towards freedom and begin deep healing. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 6, 2015

Dear friends, This week we share with you the first part of Sister Dang Nghiem's talk from the Miracle of Mindfulness retreat. For the children, our sister gives a teaching on patterns in nature and in our families. Then with the adults, she illuminates the ordinary nature of mindfulness in our everyday lives. The interbeing of all things comes to light as she prepares to discuss the Buddha's teaching on awareness of breath. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 23, 2015

Dear friends, This week we continue the orientation sharing at the recent retreat. Sister Tang Nghiem tells the story of the Buddha's first teaching with children when they named the Path of Awareness. The way we enjoy our breath, our silence, our steps and our sitting meditation are all steps on the path. May you find peace and many friends along the way. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 16, 2015

Dear friends, This week we share with you the first half of the retreat orientation with Brother Pháp Trạc. He invites us to listen to the bell, let go of our worries and eat with mindfulness. Whether you were at the retreat or were halfway around the world, allow yourself to begin your own retreat, wherever you are. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 9, 2015

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Over the past week, Deer Park Monastery welcomed lay friends to the Miracle of Mindfulness tour retreat. This year, the title of the retreat was, Breathe, It'll Be Okay. For this week's podcast, we offer the opening chant by the monastic brothers and sisters. May your heart open as they invoke the name of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisatva of great compassion, Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 16, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share the the end of a question and response session a the recent Teen Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. The discussion between retreatants and monastics touches on the notions of activism, ultimate truth and interbeing. When we ask with open hearts and listen with a beginner's mind, we can better understand the nature of our ideas and concepts. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 9, 2015

Dear friends, This week we bring you the second in a series of questions and responses during the Teen Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Participants offer their concerns to the monks and nuns about how to practice outside the monastery, how to forgive, and how to center our youth in mindfulness. By practicing deep listening, may the questions and responses be illuminating for our own practice. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 2, 2015

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we offer the first in a series of questions and responses during the Teen Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Retreatants ask a panel of monastics about Thay's health, how to handle ancestral pain, and how best to support our future generations. May the spirit of these questions stir compassion and insight in your own heart. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 25, 2015

Dear friends, Today we continue a talk given by Sister Hang Nghiem. She offers The Four Diligences as a way to practice taking care of the seeds in garden of our mind. So often we are concerned with the seeds and gardens of others; our sister reminds us to take time to recognize and tend to our own seeds. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 18, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a talk given by Sister Hang Nghiem. She offers practical advice on how to practice -- by closing our eyes a little bit. In a literal sense, when we can do this during sitting meditation and when we have difficult emotions, but also figuratively when we are going about our daily lives. May we recognize our limits and take good care of ourselves. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 13, 2015

Dear friends, Today we continue a series of talks by Brother Phap Hai on The Eight Verses of Mind Training. Our brother invites us to return to the earth of our practice with the second and third verses: "Whenever I interact with anyone, may I consider myself as lower and from the depths of my heart may I consider the other person as a treasure." "In everything I do, may I look deeply into my mind and as soon as I recognize a mistaken view that endangers myself or others, may I practice diligently to embrace and to transform it." Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 29, 2015

Dear friends, In addition to the podcasts, which are usually offered as 30 minute sections of talks, we wanted to offer full length talks as requested by some Dharmacast listeners. This is the second talk in a series of talks on the Eight Verses of Mind Training by Brother Phap Hai. This is the full talk for those who would prefer to listen to talks in their entirety. The second talk on the Eight Verses is available here. To stream, click the link. To download, right-click and select 'Save as.' Enjoy!

Aug 29, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a talk by Brother Phap Hai. He shares insights on our culture of consumerism and discusses how it applies to our practice. Over our time as a practitioner, we may have accumulated some layers of practice. Our brother encourages us to let go of these layers, these formalities and return to the essence of our practice. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. (If you prefer the full 1-hr talk, it is available here .)

Aug 22, 2015

Dear friends, Today we continue Brother Phap Hai's talk from Deer Park Monastery. He introduces The Eight Verses of Mind Training to help us practice and transform. Over the course of the next few months, our brother will offer all the eight verses for us. Today, the first verse: "May I always cherish all sentient beings and consider that compared to a wish-fulfilling jewel, they are far superior for liberating my heart." Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 19, 2015

Dear friends, In addition to the podcasts, which are usually offered as 30 minute sections of talks, we wanted to offer full length talks as requested by some Dharmacast listeners. Brother Phap Hai is offering a series of talks on the Eight Verses of Mind Training and we felt it was a good place to start offering the full talks for those who would prefer to listen to talks in their entirety. The first talk on the Eight Verses is available here. To stream, click the link. To download, right-click and select 'Save as.' Enjoy!

Aug 17, 2015

Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we share a talk by Brother Phap Hai, shortly after his return to Deer Park from Europe. Our brother reminds us of the the meaning of the word: gratitude. To feel gratitude is to know what has been done for us. May we look back and look inside to remember. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. (The full 1-hour talk is also available here .)

Aug 9, 2015

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we continue to share a talk given by Sister Man Nghiem at the recent Wake Up retreat. Our sister reflects on the idea of building our true home and asks us what we have chosen to build that home out of. Knowing to nourish ourselves with the Four Nutriments, we can build a solid home to withstand huffing and puffing from anyone and anything outside. To hear more about the Wake Up movement, go to wkup.org . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 19, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share another dharma talk from the recent Wake Up retreat for young people. Sister Man Nghiem reflects on how her definition of happiness has limited her actual happiness. She shares stories of her journey to realizing the Four Noble Truths, or as she calls them, The Fabulous Formula. For more on the Wake Up movement, go to wkup.org . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 27, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share the second half of a talk given by Brother Phap Ho at the recent Wake Up retreat for young adults. Our brother speaks to the beginners and those with Beginner's Mind as he introduces concepts of the practice: mindfulness, concentration, insight, aimlessness, impermanence, and interbeing. To hear more about the Wake Up movement, go to wkup.org . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 20, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share the first half of a talk given by Brother Phap Ho at this year's Wake Up retreat for young adults. Our brother shares about his early childhood heroes and how, for him, heroism is different from what's portrayed in popular media. We can be heros for the ordinary things we do in extraordinary ways. For more on the Wake Up movement and to find a local sangha, go to wkup.org . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 13, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a part of a talk given by Brother Phap Lieu at Deer Park Monastery. He shares from him monastic experience about the sangha. As a lifelong partner to us, the sangha can support us in difficult times and encourage us to keep each day fresh and new. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 7, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share part of a talk given by Brother Phap Lieu in early April. He delves deeply into the research on our habit energies: the cues, cravings and rewards. With greater understanding, we can see ourselves more clearly and deepen our practice. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 29, 2015

Dear friends, Today, we finish a talk by Sister Truc Nghiem and translated by Sister Bach Nghiem. Our sister shares her experience with her aging body and specifically the poignant experience of seeing her own heart beating. Seeing our situations clearly is a tremendous gift and a continuous practice. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 22, 2015

Dear friends, Today we continue a talk by Sister Truc Nghiem and translated by Sister Bach Nghiem. She focuses her sharing on our capacity to be a refuge or a safe harbor for others and for ourselves. When storms come into our lives, let's know to bring our boats to safety. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 17, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a talk given by Sister Truc Nghiem and translated by Sister Bach Nghiem. In the beginning, the monastics chant a poem written by Thay. Then our sister reflects upon our ability to stop and discover the inner Buddha within. She invites us to welcome all that has always been there. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 9, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share songs of appreciation for our loved ones. At a recent Day of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Ho shares a song by an late friend of Deer Park Monastery, Dennis Howard, and then, two monastics perform the Vietnamese song written for Thay's poem, A Rose For Your Pocket, a tribute to mothers. May these songs stir gratitude in your heart. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 3, 2015

Dear friends, At a recent Day of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Ho shares how he spent his recent Lazy Days. These days are designated days of relaxation at the monastery when there is no schedule of practice for the monastics. Our brother finds that with the freedom of Lazy Days come the opportunity to discover rich teachings. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Apr 26, 2015

Dear friends, Today we offer a guided meditation, practice song and chanting with Brother Phap Ho. We hope you find the dharma in the words, the music, and the silence. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Apr 19, 2015

Dear friends, Today we offer an introduction from Brother Phap Don to the basic practices of mindfulness when on retreat. Let us return to our beginner's mind and take refuge in the presence of Deer Park Monastery. Whether you are near to the monastery or far, know that the Dharmacast, the monastery, and the Dharma, are always here for you. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Apr 11, 2015

We're taking a break this week! Our staff is going sailing/opening a new theater show/etc. What are you doing? Let's all take a break together!

Apr 5, 2015

Dear friends, Today we offer a sharing by Sister Man Nghiem and Sister Nho Nghiem at last year's teen retreat at Deer Park Monastery. In wonderfully clear language, they share their own refreshing experiences with the Beginning Anew practice taught by Thay. As teens or adults, we can all practice loving speech and deep listening for the benefit of everyone around us. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 28, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a talk by Sister Tuong Nghiem and translated by Sister Tinh Nghiem. As a young monastic, our sister remembers that it was not easy for her to practice mindfulness in midst of difficulties. She shares conversations she had with Thay when she felt overwhelmed and her own insights into how we can stop, breathe, and see our difficulties clearly. It is not always easy; and that is ok. Also from the online sangha this week,we invite you to join an online, televised panel discussion about Sister D's new book, Mindfulness as Medicine. I'll be talking with Jason Kim from Parallax Press and Nadia Coburn from Anchor Magazine. You can write in questions for us live during the one-hour program, Tuesday at 9am Pacific. Or of course, watch it online later. To connect, go to bit.ly/sisterd . We'll see you there! Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 21, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a talk by Brother Chinh Quang (aka Brother CQ) given at Deer Park Monastery. He reflects on his journey to become a monastic and the challenges he faced along the way. We all face difficulties on the path of practice. In his sharing, our brother encourages us to be aware, with each step, that we have the opportunity to transform our volition and to change our direction. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 15, 2015

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we share a dharma talk given by Brother Phap De at Deer Park Monastery. Our brother shares on the importance of brotherhood, sisterhood and Engaged Buddhism in our practice. Through sangha and action, we are sure to become Thay's continuation. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 7, 2015

Dear friends, Today we offer a dharma talk given by Sister Quynh Nghiem at Deer Park Monastery. Our sister invites us to heighten our awareness and choose mindfulness in our everyday lives. We can choose what we consume with our senses and how we deal with difficulty in our lives. May the dharma help us all see our situations clearly and bring us peace. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 28, 2015

Dear friends, Every year on Lunar New Year's eve, Thay recites a poem and gives a dharma talk with insights into Vietnamese poetry, culture, and tradition. This year, as our teacher receives treatment in the hospital, Venerable Thich Phuoc Tinh continues the tradition. He recites a poem of Thay's and gives us a rare glimpse into the life of our teacher. To aid in your understanding of the poem, we offer the poem in its entirety to you here: Clouds softly pillow the mountain peak. The breeze is fragrant with tea blossoms. The joy of meditation remains unshakable. The forest offers floral perfumes. One morning we awaken, fog wrapped around the roof. With fresh laughter, we bid farewell. The musical clamor of birds send us back on the ten thousand paths, watching a dream as generous as the sea. A flicker of fire from the familiar stove warms the evening shadows as they fall. Impermanent, self-emptied life, filled with impostors whose sweet speech hides a wicked heart. My confidence intact, I bid farewell with a peaceful heart. The affairs of this world are merely a dream. Don't forget that days and months race by as quickly as a young horse. The stream of birth and death dissolves, but our friendship never disappears. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 21, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share the orientation for retreatants at the Holiday Retreat. Brother Phap Hai shares how they enjoy their practice at the monastery. They invite us to stop our habit energies and start monotasking -- as we breathe, walk, eat, and act. May these gentle reminders fill your life with the spirit of refuge at Deer Park Monastery. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 14, 2015

Dear friends, Today we continue to explore the Five Mindfulness Trainings with the second half of sharings by lay friends at Deer Park during the Holiday Retreat. Our friends share their experience with the two trainings on Loving Speech and Deep Listening, and Nourishment and Healing. May these sharings fill your heart and nourish your practice. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 7, 2015

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we share the first half of the Five Mindfulness Trainings Presentation at Deer Park Monastery during the Holiday Retreat. Lay friend, Kenley Neufield, introduces the trainings and practitioners share their experience with the first, second, and third mindfulness trainings, Reverence for Life, True Happiness, and True Love. In every one of our friends on the path, there is the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jan 31, 2015

The Dharmacast is taking a day off! Enjoy this archived talk from Fall 2014, where Sister Kinh Nghiem connects the Four Immeasurable Minds and the Four Mantras. http://deerpark.libsyn.com/the-four-immeasurable-minds

Jan 25, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share the Question and Answer session from the Holiday Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Brother Phap De leads the group of monastics and lay friends in exploring questions about our practice. Looking deeply, we see how the practice can permeate all aspects of our lives and guide us to greater peace. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jan 18, 2015

Dear friends, Today we share a talk given by Brother Phap Ho on the first day of this new year. The theme of the talk is virtue, which our brother frames as "the act of living up to one's potential." He shares specifically on The Three Virtues: cutting through afflictions, love, and insight. May you be inspired to cultivate these virtues in 2015 and reach your true potential. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jan 10, 2015

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we share with you a dharma talk given by Brother Phap Hai at the end of 2014. He shares with us the sutra, The Fruits of the Contemplative Life. Our brother encourages us to pause and consider the nature of our own contemplative life. There is Dharma to experience in every moment and a unique path of practice for every practitioner. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. **We are trying different options: posting podcasts on Saturday and also posting the whole one-hour podcast rather than 30 minute parts. What do you think?**

Jan 3, 2015

Dear friends, Today, we continue Sister Mai Nghiem's talk on our inner hungry ghost. Our sister shares on the beauty of taking refuge and accepting things as they are: our community before it is perfect, the Buddha in us with the hungry ghost in us, the lotus and the mud. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 27, 2014

Dear friends, Today, we offer dharma jewels from another sister new to Deer Park, Sister Mai Nghiem. Our sister introduces us to our "hungry ghost," which is the energy of craving in us. By understanding the suffering of our hungry ghost, we can take better care of the here and now. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 21, 2014

Dear friends, This week we continue Sister Jina's first talk at Deer Park. She reminds us of the basics of our practice and how we can be present for ourselves and others. At a time when we may be traveling home or hosting friends and family, let us offer them the gift of our presence. May you and your family have a wonderful and nourishing holidays. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net and on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 12, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. We're happy to introduce a new member of the four-fold sangha at Deer Park Monastery on the podcast this week, Sister Dieu Nghiem, also known as Sister Jina. She gives this talk just before Thanksgiving and leads a guided meditation on awareness and gratefulness of the cells in our body. Joining her in mindfulness, we can remember that one breath is enough to bring us back to our true home. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net and on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 5, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. By request of a fellow Dharmacast listener, this week, we offer a talk by Venerable Thich Phuoc Tinh given at the beginning of the Winter Retreat. In his signature energetic and fast-paced style, the Venerable reminds us that every moment in meditation is a moment in the presence of Thay and the Buddha. That Buddhism is not a philosophy to be intellectually debated, but rather a very clear and simple practice. The Dharmacast team loves to hear from our listeners. If you have feedback on past podcasts or requests for upcoming podcasts, let us know by email . But for now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 28, 2014

Dear friends, We hope that your holiday has been restful and nourishing. Have you had a chance to stop and return to your breath? This week we invite you to join Brother Phap Ho in a session of guided sitting and movement meditation. Our brother gently reminds us that every moment is an opportunity to quiet our thinking and experience our breath in the body. With Thay peacefully healing in the hospital, we have the chance to support his continuation through the building of the Deer Park Nunnery. The four-fold sangha continues to raise funds to build environmentally sustainable straw bale housing for the sisters and a hut for Thay. See deerparknunnery.org for updates on the construction and how to donate. Most recent updates on Thay's health can be found at plumvillage.org. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 21, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week, we present insight from our monastic brothers and sisters at Deer Park Monastery on the art of suffering. During a question and answer session, retreatants ask how to best practice with suffering in our families and at work. When difficulties manifest in the world around us, we can remember to take refuge in the Dharma, the sangha, and the Buddha nature in ourselves and others. With our teacher still recovering in the hospital, we have the opportunity to deeply practice his teachings. The most recent official announcements on Thay's health can be found at plumvillage.org . Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 14, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Earlier this week, the worldwide sangha was informed that Thay is in the hospital. The monastic community has asked lay friends around the world to practice mindfulness, stability and peace to support our beloved teacher, remembering that we are all cells of the great sangha body that Thay has manifested in his lifetime. More information can be found via official announcements at plumvillage.org . For the podcast today, we bring you a rich sharing from our monastics during a question and answer session at this year's General Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. A retreatant asks how to work with and transform strong sexual cravings. The monastics respond insightfully on how to practice, look deeply, and see clearly into the nature of sexual energy. With mindfulness and equanimity, everything is possible. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 7, 2014

Happy Friday to you! Another week for exploring our podcast archives. http://deerpark.libsyn.com/healing-in-our-relationships We can learn so much from our lay teachers and fellow practitioners. In this Q&A session from a couples retreat last year, three lay teachers help us understand how to heal ourselves and our relationships. I've been going through some transitions (moving and new job) but our team will have a new podcast out to you next Friday. Stay tuned!

Oct 31, 2014

This week, we invite you to enjoy our archives of talks. One such lovely talk is one given by Thay last year at Deer Park. Our teacher shares on The Better Way to Live Alone. Enjoy! http://deerpark.libsyn.com/arriving-and-being-alive

Oct 24, 2014

Dear friends, To continue last week's sharing on Beginning Anew, today we offer a sharing by two lay friends and long-time practitioners. As life partners, they share their experience with Beginning Anew and demonstrate how they practice it. We hope this wonderful gift from them encourages you to try it with your loved ones, your sangha, and yourself. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 17, 2014

Dear friends, Today we bring to you a presentation by Brother Phap De on Beginning Anew, a practice taught by Thay to heal and make fresh our relationships with others. Our brother shares the separate steps of Beginning Anew along with his understanding of the practice in light of his Christian roots. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 10, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today, we offer the second half of Brother Phap Hai's dharma talk from this year's General Retreat. He shares that despite a recent study showing that most people do not want to sit alone with their thoughts, as practitioners, we sit and look deeply into our thoughts quite frequently. Rather than choosing to react, we can choose this moment to see what this person, or this situation, is teaching us. Rather than trying to transcend, we can choose to accept and transform. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 3, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week, we share the first half of the dharma talk given by Brother Phap Hai at this years General Retreat. Our brother invites us to return to ourselves to truly experience the Dharma in the present moment. And in light of the recent ice bucket challenge trend, Brother Phap Hai takes it a step further and invites us to ask the hard questions: What is the work that we're here to do? And why aren't we doing it? Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 26, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week, we continue to share Sister Kinh Nghiem's talk from the recent General Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Our sister begins with a favorite song of hers, called Cookie of Childhood. Then, she shares with us stories from her monastic life that illustrate the joy of letting go, the happiness of living mindfully, and the importance of impermanence. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 19, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This past Sunday at Deer Park Monastery, the annual general retreat closed with a lovely talk by Sister Kinh Nghiem. She shares about the Four Immeasurable Minds, also known as the four elements of true love. Then, she clearly connects them to the Four Mantras. May this talk help you practice and cultivate true love in your life. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 12, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week we offer you a series of questions asked by lay friends at the recent People of Color Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Our monastic brothers and sisters give guidance on how we can speak our truths from a place of compassion and authenticity. And then, our sister shares on how the light of mindfulness can transform violence into a lotus of awakening. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 5, 2014

Dear friends, At the end of each retreat, lay friends are given the opportunity to ask questions from their heart to a panel of Deer Park monks and nuns. As the brothers and sisters answer the three questions presented today, we can learn from their way of living. From suffering to mindful consumption to even bacon cravings, we find that the monastics are more like us lay practitioners than we may have thought. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 29, 2014

Dear friends, Today, we share a talk given by Brother Phap Tuyen and lovingly translated by Sister Tinh Nguyen. Our brother shares on the changing nature of our relationships with our fathers, from birth to adulthood. Whether our fathers are still with us or have passed on, let us reflect on what they have given us and what we, in turn, can continue to give to them. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 22, 2014

Dear friends, We are happy to offer the full talks from the People of Color Retreat at Deer Park in 2014. The orientation, dharma talk, and question and response session are available for download at the links below. POC Retreat 2014 Orientation POC Retreat 2014 Dharma Talk POC Retreat 2014 Question and Response Enjoy.

Aug 22, 2014

Dear friends, Today, we share with you the first talk from this year's People of Color Retreat. Sister Chau Nghiem shares the significance of People of Color retreats at Deer Park and the Plum Village tradition. She draws parallels between retreats and the Muslim month of Ramadan. When we go without, we are able to go more deeply within. Then, with Right Effort we can recognize and select which seeds to water in our consciousness. We're happy to have another summer love letter to share from a listener in our Dharmacast family: Thank you for the Deer Park Dharmacasts. They are a precious gift and have helped me so much to cultivate mindfulness and take care of my suffering. I listen to them repeatedly and each time, I hear something new and learn something new. that's so nice. Examples are Thay Phap Hai's " Back to Basics " (part 1) and " Infusing our Practice with Bodhichitta "; I hear them "new" no matter how many times I listen, which is very often. with love and ongoing awakening, Alice NYC Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 16, 2014

Dear friends, This week, we continue the talk from last week to discuss some of life's important questions. Sister Quynh Nghiem brings us two questions: Who is the most important person? And what is the most important thing to do? Then Brother Phap Ho continues by helping us answer for ourselves: Where are we going? As with all the questions we pose, let us ask with genuine curiosity and loving kindness. May your answers illuminate your path. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email at dpcastlove@gmail.com . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply

Aug 9, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome the Deer Park Dharmacast. Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. We're happy to kick of our Summer Love Letters project with a love note from our listener, Liesa. These are her words of love: The sound of the bell and the sound of the monastics' voices on the Dharmacast remind me of the lotus garden at Solidity Hamlet. It reminds me of the solidity I feel at Deer Park, and how that solidity supports my practice. If you would love to share a love note to the monastics of the Deer Park, you can reach us at our email or Facebook page. This week's talk is given by Sister Quynh Nghiem at a recent retreat. She shares her own childhood experiences and observations of families around her. With mindfulness, she sees that true quality of life is not found through wealth or comfort but with time and peace of mind. She tells a story of a king who seeks answers to three questions, the first being, "What is the most important time?" Tune in next week for the answers to the last two questions. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email at dpcastlove@gmail.com . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 1, 2014

Dear friends, In the last talk of the recent Wake Up retreat for young people, Sister Thuan Nghiem enourages retreatants to invest in their spiritual wealth. In our modern world, young people are prepared in school to seek career success and material wealth. Our sister invites retreatants to seek a balance between spiritual and material wealth. From simply returning to our breath to taking the opportunity of the Five-Year program, there are many ways to start our spiritual future now. Lastly, the Dharmacast team would like to invite you to participate in our new project,Summer Love Letters. The monastics have dedicated their lives to sharing the Dharma with you and it nourishes their practice to hear how their dedication has touched your life. If a sharing on the podcast has touched you deeply, please write a love letter, a love note, or even just a love sentence to the monastics at Deer Park. Send it to the Dharmacast and throughout the summer, we hope to share your love letter on the air to nourish the monastics at Deer Park and inspire other listeners in the worldwide Dharmacast sangha. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email at dpcastlove@gmail.com . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 25, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast - Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we share the the last talk of the recent Wake Up retreat for young adults. Sister Thuan Nghiem looks back on the retreat to find practices that retreatants can take home. She shares that even strong spiritual inspiration and intention after retreat is impermanent and that we will need gentle mindfulness will keep us on the path. Lastly, the Dharmacast team would like to invite you to participate in our new project,Summer Love Letters. The monastics have dedicated their lives to sharing the Dharma with you and it nourishes their practice to hear how their dedication has touched your life. If a sharing on the podcast has touched you deeply, please write a love letter, a love note, or even just a love sentence to the monastics at Deer Park. Send it to the Dharmacast and throughout the summer, we hope to share your love letter on the air to nourish the monastics at Deer Park and inspire other listeners in the worldwide Dharmacast sangha. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email at dpcastlove@gmail.com . Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 18, 2014

Dear friends, Today, we share with you a small taste of retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Sister Man Nghiem and Brother Phap Hai give a short introduction to life at the monastery for new retreatants. She shares about connecting with others while sharing rooms and connecting with ourselves during the practice of Noble Silence. And our brother gives guidance to help us feel comfortable and relaxed during sitting meditation. Registration is now open for this year's general retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Whether you have never been on retreat or been on many, the monastics and lay friends welcome you to take refuge at the practice center. The retreat will be from September 10th to 14th with the theme, "I have enough". More information can be found at deerparkmonastery.org . Lastly, the Dharmacast team would like to invite you to participate in our new project, Summer Love Letters. The monastics have dedicated their lives to sharing the Dharma with you and it nourishes their practice to hear how their dedication has touched your life. If a sharing on the podcast has touched you deeply, please write a love letter, a love note, or even just a love sentence to the monastics at Deer Park. Send it to the Dharmacast and throughout the summer, we hope to share your love letter on the air to nourish the monastics at Deer Park and inspire other listeners in the worldwide Dharmacast sangha. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Monastery at dpcast.net and on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. We welcome dharma sharings from our worldwide listeners on any of our online homes or by email at dpcastlove(~at~)gmail.com. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 11, 2014

Dear friends, Today we share the second half of a talk given by Brother Man Tue before the Five Mindfulness Trainings ceremony at Deer Park. Our brother focuses on how our senses play an integral role in the Fourth and Fifth Mindfulness Trainings. He encourages us to place our mindfulness between our senses and ourselves, as a way to protect us from fear, craving and anger. May you walk your path this week protected and free. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 27, 2014

Dear Friends, Today we share the dharma talk given by Brother Man Tue at Deer Park Monastery two weeks ago. He shares his experience of finding joy in mindfulness as a way to take refuge. When world events or events at home cause us suffering, we can nourish our own joy as a way to promote peace in the people around us and in the world. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net and on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 20, 2014

Dear Friends, This week, we continue to share insights from nuns that have recently received the Dharma Lamp at Deer Park Monastery. We have included Brother Phap Hai's introduction to the tradition of receiving the Dharma Lamp for those that did not hear it from the earlier podcast. Enjoy our sister's sharing of her experience from first wanting to become a nun to becoming part of the Plum Village monastic family. We are happy to have you as part of the Dharmacast family and the greater Plum Village family. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 13, 2014

Dear Friends, In today's podcast, we have the unique opportunity to share in the transmission of the dharma lamp to the nuns of the Plum Village Tradition. First, Brother Phap Hai shares with us the meaning and roots of the ceremony. Then, Sister Adornment with Tranquility (Thien Nghiem) from Blue Cliff Monastery and and Sister Andornment with Beauty (Cam Nghiem) from Magnolia Grove Monastery share their first insights with us. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 6, 2014

Dear friends, This week, we offer another sharing from the Earth Holding Theme Weekend at Deer Park Monastery. Brother Phap Ho and Order of Interbeing members, Nomi Green and Heather Mann share their experience walking the path of supporting our planet during increasing climate change. When Right Action is not clear to us, we can always stop, breathe, and return to ourselves to see the way forward. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 30, 2014

Dear friends, This week we share the talk given by Sister Trung Chinh on Vesak Day, the day of the Buddha's birth. In sharing about the baby Buddha's birth in India and a baby girl's birth in Vietnam, our sister gives insight into the significance of all moments. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 23, 2014

Dear friends, This week we share a talk given by Sister Tinh Nghiem and translated by Sister Mat Nghiem. Our sister shares the Dharma through two stories, both about the dynamics of relationships. Her stories help us understand that we must be mindful of how we care for our loved ones and be open to the way that they care for us. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 16, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week we offer a sharing by two lay friends and Order of Interbeing members, Heather Mann and Nomi Green. As part of the Earth Holding theme weekend, they shared experiences from their lives as practitioners. One story is set on the high seas and another on a windowsill at home. Both bring us back to the inescapable truth of our connection with all beings on our Mother Earth. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 9, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today, we continue with the second half of a talk from guest speaker Michael Ciborski. He shares his experiences living as monk at Plum Village and afterwards as a lay practitioner to the concept of the mind as a garden. Michael stresses the importance of tending our garden, to embrace and calm the emotions that arise in us. Without careful tending, our unwholesome seeds become tangled thickets and the stories they weave compelling. But like a mother to a small child, we can hold the feeling close and whisper, "This is not storytime" and hold them instead. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 2, 2014

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today, we are lucky to share a talk from a special, guest speaker at Deer Park, Michael Ciborski . Michael lived as a monk at Plum Village for seven years and is now is a lay practitioner with a mindfulness center, called Morning Sun , in New Hampshire. Michael suggests that rather than have life happen *to* us, we can fully participate in our lives by coming home through the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. This teaching of the Buddha, as explained by our brother, becomes a clear path to a place of mindful refuge. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Apr 25, 2014

Dear friends, This week, in celebration of Earth Day, we joyfully share with you a talk given by Brother Phap Ho at the recent Earth Holding Theme Weekend at Deer Park Monastery. Our brother gently invites us to look at our world with open eyes. We can shed the definition of ourselves given to us by modern media to see that we are not separate from the trees, the rocks and other humans. We have the potential to wake up to our true boddhisattva nature to protect the Earth and nurture the boddhisattva in others. Let us breathe this air and walk on this land with gratitude. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Apr 18, 2014

The Dharmacast is taking a breather this week -- our coordinator, Cathy, is celebrating her continuation day! Enjoy a talk from the archives; Br Phap Hai's Dharma in the Kitchen talk is one of Cathy's favorites!

Apr 11, 2014

Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- Dharma Flowing from the Ocean of Peace. This week we are lucky to share a talk given by Brother Phap Hoi and translated by Sister Khanh Nghiem. Our brother poses an important question to us, "What is the essence of your spiritual practice?" He gives examples of Vietnamese traditions that, over the course of time, have lost the beauty and essence of their original intent. If we are not mindful, we can get caught up in the form and appearance of our spiritual practice and forget the essence that lies beneath. Brother Phap Hoi reminds us that just because we are there at the monastery does not mean that we have ever truly set foot in a monastery. Let us let go of our ideas about our practice, and just practice. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Apr 4, 2014

Dear Friends, Today we share a talk given by Sister Hang Nghiem and translated by Sister Man Nghiem. In this light-hearted talk, our sister tells us three fairy tales about nature and animals. Children aren't the only ones who can benefit from stories. Stories can touch our hearts and open new doors to our practice. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 28, 2014

Dear friends, This week we share a dharma talk given by Brother Phap Nha at Deer Park and translated by Sister Quynh Nghiem. He shares about the steps of the Noble Eightfold Path; how they naturally flow in an order and also how they're all interconnected. Then, he reminds us that each step on the path, even mindfulness, is impermanent. We need to know how to nourish ourselves and others to come back to our spiritual path and the present moment. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 21, 2014

Dear friends, This week, our podcast begins with the sisters of Deer Park Monastery offering a song in Vietnamese. Then, Sister Mat Nghiem shares the tools we have from the Plum Village practice to take care of our health - physically, mentally, and spiritually. We are so grateful to have the nuns as part of our four-fold sangha at Deer Park. Thanks to your contributions, construction began in late February for new solar and straw bale buildings for the nuns and our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. To see photo updates and to spread the word about ongoing fundraising, go to www.deerparknunnery.org . Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Mar 14, 2014

Dear Friends, Today, we share with you a deep and lovely talk given by Thich Phuoc Tinh, the monk referred to at Deer Park Monastery as The Venerable. Here, the Venerable speaks directly about how time can pass quickly if we rush our minds and bodies, pushed by strong habits to be constantly occupied. He encourages us to stop, sit, and enjoy our own inner peace. He uses the poignant analogy of words written on a whiteboard to illustrate no birth and no death. We are the whiteboard and the words that we think define who we are -- are merely temporary. When we see that the words are not the essence of the whiteboard, no one can cause us to suffer Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply

Mar 7, 2014

Dear Friends, This week, we share the question and answer session from the Deer Park New Years retreat. The questions asked by retreatants center around conflict in oneself and in the family. In response, the monastics reflect on their own experiences and slowly, the flower petals of wisdom unfurl. The monastics' gentle words reveal that sometimes, the answer is time, patience, space, and acceptance. And always, the answer comes from your question and from your heart. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply

Feb 28, 2014

Dear Friends, When did you last listen to the children in your life? Today we have a chance to listen to the children at Deer Park's New Years Retreat ask questions to the monastics. Their questions about meditation practice, family life and school show us how perceptive and sensitive they are to the messages in the world around them. We invite you to approach this podcast with an open heart, listening to hear the voices of the child in you and the children in your life. May we embrace all our children to heal the generations before us and the generations to come. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply

Feb 21, 2014

Dear Friends, Today we're happy to share a talk from Brother Phap Nha, translated by Sister Quynh Nghiem. Our brother has a clear and direct style of teaching that we hope you enjoy. In this talk, he speaks to the three difficulties we may encounter while sitting: sleepiness, restlessness, and dreaminess. He also shares with us how best to read the sutras. He recommends that we start with two basic sutras and, most importantly, that we apply the teachings to our practice and our lives. May your practice be ever-changing and ever-growing. No mud, no lotus. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply

Feb 14, 2014

Dear Friends, Sometimes in life, we have our hearts set on one thing or one person, only to receive something or someone completely different. The miracle of mindfulness is, in that moment, to see our expectations and return joyfully to the here and now. This week's podcast is just like that. Practitioners at Deer Park Monastery were expecting the Venerable to speak, but in his place, Sister Man Nghiem gave the dharma talk. With her signature enthusiasm and wonder for life, our sister shares her unique perspective on the Four Nutriments, finding joy, and renewing our practice. From volition to conciousness, and from potato chips to Star Wars, she fills the talk with richness while rooting it in our real lives. This Valentine's Day, we wish you the nourishing power of love -- for yourself and all those around you. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Feb 7, 2014

Dear Friends,This week, we're happy to offer a special talk for those of us with Christian backgrounds. During last year's Christmas season, Brother Phap De gave a dharma talk exploring the coexistence of our Christian and Buddhist spiritualities. With keen insight and readings from Meister Eckhart, he shows how the Buddha's teaching of non-duality can be a gift to practitioners with Christian backgrounds. In the end, we can see the concepts of the divine and communion with God, mindfulness and interbeing, all intertwining beautifully.Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply

Jan 31, 2014

Dear Friends, Today, we would like to share with you the second half of Brother Phap Hai's talk at the Deer Park Monastery New Years retreat. As the theme of the retreat was "Coming Home", Brother Phap Hai shares his insights on what home means in a Buddhist sense. To arrive home in the present moment is to truly know and experience what is here. To dwell happily in that moment and to see the interbeing between yourself and all that is around you. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 20, 2013

Dear friends, Today, we invite you to listen to a sharing given by Brother Phap Ho at a recent Day of Mindfulness. He invites us to join with the great activists of our time. To clarify our volition for our lives, to be courageous with our actions, and to live in a way that cultivates compassion. He reminds us that we need to take care with our senses as we go through this world. We all have suffering that needs to be acknowledged and cared for. We need time and space in order to transform our suffering, to turn the compost of our lives. The sweet fruit of our practice will manifest as we diligently walk this path together. As Deer Park Monastery enters their winter retreat, the Dharmacast will also take a break for the holidays. Podcasts will start again on January 17th. We invite you to enjoy this time to retreat as well. Brother Phap Ho gives some suggestions on how you can take a mini-retreat at home. Or you can delve into the many archived podcasts available on our website. Remember, the Dharmacast is always here for you at dpcast.net, on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 13, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we continue with talks given by Thich Nhat Hanh at Deer Park Monastery in October. In this talk, Thay delves deeply into conciousness, both individual and collective. As individuals, we can selectively water our positive seeds and take good care of our negative seeds. Thay invites us to also be selective in our relationships and the community that we live in, as they contribute to the collective conciousness that we consume every day. With this care, we can create a foundation where transformation of our suffering is possible. Please take a moment this week to visit deerparknunnery.org and donate to the building of a place where the Deer Park sisters can live. The volunteers at the Deer Park Dharmacast thank you. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dec 6, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we return to talks by Thich Nhat Hanh, given this October at the Deer Park retreat. Thay shares on many interconnected topics: the workings of our conciousness, the transformative power of volition, the importance of sangha, and how our suffering and happiness are truly inseparable. May we all recognize our mud, and the lotuses that grow from our mud. We so appreciate you, our dear listeners. Thank you for your love and support over the course of this year. During the month of December, we invite you to donate to the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. They are urgently needing support to break ground to build a safe, warm nunnery for our sisters at Deer Park Monastery. For more information and to donate, visit deerparknunnery.org. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 29, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we take a break from Thich Nhat Hanh's talks to bring you another great teacher, the Venerable of Deer Park Monastery, Thich Phuoc Tinh. Here in California, it's fall and the Venerable begins by sharing a folk song in Vietnamese and French about autumn leaves falling. He shares that we can choose the way that we are in touch with the things inside of us and around us. The emotions and mental formations that arise in our heads are like the seasons of the year, rising and falling. As practitioners, we can become observers, whether of the changing leaves of fall or changing feelings in our hearts, rather than being defined or overwhelmed by them. We are not these emotions, we are the energy of mindfulness that peacefully watches them float by on the stream of our lives. We're grateful to have Sister Mat Nghiem translate the Venerable's talk into English for us. Our monastic brothers and sisters do so much at Deer Park Monastery to create a peaceful refuge for us where we can share from our heart and listen deeply to their teachings. Right now, the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation is urgently raising funds to build new living quarters for the nuns. Currently, the sisters' living quarters are not winterized and unsafe to the point that some sisters are living outside in tents. The foundation has raised only $400,000 of the $1.7 million needed to build environmentally-sensitive straw-bale buildings for the nuns and a new hut for Thay. Over 40% of the estimated cost is for basic infrastructure needed even before building the nunnery. If you are able to donate this holiday season, please go to deerparknunnery.org. Even the smallest amount will help them to have enough funds to break ground this winter. The Dharmacast team is made completely of volunteers and in place of asking for donations for the podcast, this holiday season please consider donating so that the Deer Park sisters have a warm and safe place to lay their heads. For more information and to help, go to deerparknunnery.org. The Dharmacast team wishes you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and holiday season. We are always here for you at dpcast.net, on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 22, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we continue to share Thay's teachings from the recent Deer Park retreat. He speaks to a number of important questions that apply to our daily lives: How do we come back to ourselves? How does that effect others around us? And how do we reconcile difficult relationships through compassion and deep listening? With mindfulness, what was previously impossible can become possible. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, iTunes, and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 15, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we continue to share the talks given by Thich Nhat Hanh at Deer Park Monastery in October. Thay reviews the second and third of the Four Nutriments taught by the Buddha, Sense Impressions and Volition. Volition has always surprised me on the list of nutriments. How is volition something we consume? Thay explains it very well. He shares that we often use mindless consumption and production as a way of running away from ourselves. When will we start to come back to ourselves? The time is now. It is always: now. A big thanks this week to our newest audio editor, David Nelson! Enjoy his skillful work on this podcast! Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Monastery at dpcast.net, on Facebook, iTunes and Twitter. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 8, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we continue with Thay's dharma talk on the Four Nutriments taught by the Buddha. Our teacher shares about the third nutriment: volition, or our deepest desire for what we want to accomplish in our lives. It is a kind of nutriment that gives us energy to take action in our lives. He applies this teaching to our modern world of business and corporations. Whether we are a corporate leader or a busy employee, we need to examine the volition that directs our lives and ensure that it creates true happiness for ourselves, our families and our society. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Nov 1, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we continue to share from the dharma talks given by Thich Nhat Hanh at Deer Park Monastery. In this segment, our teacher shares the first eight exercises of mindful breathing taught by the Buddha. These exercises are key to helping us us to learn the art of suffering, enabling us to suffer less and to transform our suffering. Then, Thay shares the first two of the Four Nutriments taught by the Buddha: edible food and sense impression. He encourages us to consume edible foods in a way that preserves our compassion and to consume media, conversations and other sense impressions carefully to protect ourselves and our families. We’ve noticed the Dharmacast’s listenership has jumped quite a bit in recent weeks. If you’re a new listener, welcome. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please let your friends know. They can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 25, 2013

Dear friends, This week, we continue to share Thay's first dharma talk at the recent Deer Park Monastery retreat. Our teacher shares with us his practice, particularly how he walks and breathes, to connect each one of his steps to the here and now. He invites us to practice with him to touch the Pure Land and Kingdom of God with awareness of the miracles of life -- the beautiful flower, the connection of our bodies to Mother Earth, and the presence of our ancestors in and around us. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 18, 2013

Dear friends, For the past week, the Ocean of Peace meditation hall at Deer Park Monastery was filled to the brim with over one thousand members of the sangha: monks, nuns, lay practitioners and our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, who we affectionately call Thay. Over the next several weeks, we will offer his talks divided into our usual thirty minute segments. If you heard about the Dharmacast at the retreat and are just tuning in: welcome. We hope you enjoy this chance to hear the Dharma from Thay a second time. In this first segment, Thay looks deeply into the Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone. He shows us that to live alone is to be free of the past and the future and to arrive in the present moment. He continues on to share that by practicing mindful breathing and walking meditation, we can awaken to the miracle and joy of being alive. Remember that you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. For reference, the essence of the Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone is below. The complete text can be found here . Do not pursue the past.Do not lose yourself in the future.The past no longer is.The future has not yet come. Looking deeply at life as it isin the very here and now,the practitioner dwellsin stability and freedom.

Oct 11, 2013

Dear friends, This week, the Dharmacast team is on retreat with Thay at Deer Park Monastery. We're looking forward to bringing the energy of peace and mindfulness back with us next week. While we're gone, we wanted to offer you the second half of the dharma talk given by Sister Kingh Nghiem at this year's Wake Up retreat. With Thay touring this year, many of us may have gone on a retreat or heard him speak at a public talk. We're often deeply moved by experiences at mindfulness practice centers, but how do we take that energy home with us to sustain our practice? Sister Kinh Nghiem offers us loving advice and many practical ideas for continuing and deepening our practice at home. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Oct 4, 2013

Dear friends, This week we have the first half of a dharma talk given by Sister Kinh Nghiem at this year's Wake Up Retreat. She tells a light-hearted story about traveling with Thay and then shares the four mantras we can use in order to be truly present. She encourages us to use these mantras with the people in our lives, the animals and plants around us and with the earth. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 27, 2013

Dear friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. This week we have two wonderful surprises for you. First, we're excited to present to you a fresh new logo. Our team is feeling a lot of gratitude to our wonderful Dharmacast sister, Joan Wong, all the way in Singapore, for her graphic design. It represents all our Dharmacast listeners, hearing the Dharma and opening peacefully as a lotus. If you look carefully, you'll see the beautiful shape of the meditation hall at Deer Park monastery, which Thay named the Ocean of Peace. Since almost all our talks are recorded in this hall, we truly feel that the Deer Park Dharmacast is Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Secondly, this week's podcast is a special feature from Brother Phap Ho's blog, Earth Protection Here and Now. This week, he shares about edible foods, the first of the four nutriments. He shines the light of awareness on his experience with food and shares how it affects his practice, his community, and our Earth. Where are you in your journey and relationship to edible foods? For more insights, visit his blog at earthprotectionhereandnow.wordpress.com . Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net, on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes. Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 20, 2013

Dear friends, This week we have a Question and Response session from a recent Mindful Couples retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Brother Phap De begins by sharing his experiences of love before and after becoming a monastic. Then, three dharma teachers, Tony Sylvester, Peggy Rowe, and Jerry Braza, respond to questions on how to heal ourselves and our relationships. In the end, it all comes down to practice, time, and understanding with others and with ourselves. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast at dpcast.net , on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 13, 2013

Dear Friends, The end of summer is officially here and seasons are beginning to change. Let us bring our attention to the Earth, as Sister Mat Nghiem begins her sharing with the story of The Lorax. She goes on to look deeply into our interconnectedness with Mother Earth, both as children and as adults. When was the last time you were in touch with nature as your five year-old child? Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Sep 6, 2013

Dear Friends, This week we're happy to share the closing talk of the recent Deer Park retreat for couples. Three dharma teachers, Jerry Braza from Oregon, Tony Sylvester from Pennsylvania and Peggy Rowe from California, led couples in a weekend of developing mindfulness in their relationships. They share their reflections on their experience at the retreat and reflect on the nurturing effect that the practice has had on their own relationships. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 30, 2013

Dear Friends, Today's sharing is from a Question and Response session earlier this summer at Deer Park Monastery. Sister Hang Nghiem responds to a short, yet profound, question, "What is important?" She shows us that with mindfulness, we can see that this present moment is important, especially if a difficult emotion is arising. Then, Sister Hang Nghiem and Brother Phap De share on the roots of frustration and resentment and how we can begin to better understand ourselves and others. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 23, 2013

Dear Friends, Today we have a dharma talk given by Sister Quynh Nghiem. Before the dharma talk, Brother Man Tue leads us in some mindful songs and a short guided meditation. Then, our sister shares with us the wonderful basics of the connection between our mind, mindful breathing. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 16, 2013

Dear Friends, Today we return to sharing question and response sessions from recent retreats at Deer Park Monastery. Today we combine related questions from two different sessions to help us understand, "How do we forgive others and how do we forgive ourselves?" Sister Hang Nghiem shares her experience of forgiveness and invites us to continue to practice with her every day. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 9, 2013

Dear Friends, Recently, a listener emailed us to ask the question, "As an engaged Buddhist, how can I stop the destruction of Mother Earth and leave my children a clean planet?" In the very same week, Brother Phap Ho offered for us to feature the first recording of his blog, Earth Protection Here and Now. We hope that you find today's podcast a wonderful response to our listener's question. Sometimes we want to know what to do, but Brother Phap Ho shares that the very first step to environmental conservation is to look deeply and reframe our perspective on this planet and our relationship to it. For more insights, visit his blog at earthprotectionhereandnow.wordpress.com . Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Aug 2, 2013

Dear Friends, Today, we continue to offer excerpts of recent Question and Response sessions from this year's retreats to help us bring the practice into our daily lives. This week, we present questions and responses on practicing mindfulness at home with our families. How do we best guide our children? And how can we practice when our family is not practicing? Brother Phap Ho and Brother Phap Tuyen share from their experiences before and after becoming monks and give real examples of how to approach specific situations. As always, you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 26, 2013

Dear Friends, Recently on the Dharmacast, we've heard our monastic brothers encourage us to bring the practice into our daily lives. But the question arises: How do we *actually* do that? So for the next few weeks, we'll offer segments from recent Question and Response sessions at Deer Park to answer that question. This week, our focus is work. How do we apply the practice at work? Brother Phap Ho and Sister Karen, a lay dharma teacher, offer practical examples of mindful work and share how to achieve a healthy work and home life balance. On the topic of work, The Deer Park Dharmacast team has a great time putting together the podcasts for you each week. Thank you for listening. If you love our podcasts and want to get involved, please join our small team of volunteers! Whether it's selecting content, editing audio, or managing our social media, we need more help to keep the Dharmacast going. All of our work is virtual, over the internet, so wherever you are in the world, and whatever your skills are, you can help! Send us an email at dpcastlove(at)gmail.com; we'd love to hear from you. As always, you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on Twitter, Facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 19, 2013

Dear Friends, Today we share with you the second half of a talk given recently by Brother Phap Hai at Deer Park Monastery. Everyday spiritual practice continues to be the focus of his sharing, but now Brother Phap Hai focuses on how we practice. He delves into the concept of bodhichitta, the mind of love, by sharing the story of the 8th century teaching, The Way of the Bodhisattva, by the Indian monk, Shantideva. Brother Phap Hai reminds us that our practice should not be rigid and dry, but rather infused with great love. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net , on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 12, 2013

Dear Friends, Today we share the first half of a talk given a few weeks ago by Brother Phap Hai at Deer Park Monastery. Having recently returned from Korea and Hong Kong, he shares the importance of putting the Dharma into practice. What is preventing our life from becoming our practice? Brother Phap Hai likens three pots of kim chi to the three qualities that hinder our ability to truly practice. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jul 5, 2013

Dear Friends, In this week's segment, we continue with Brother Phap Ho's dharma talk from the 2012 Mindfulness Retreat. He shares why mindfulness by itself is not enough; we need to discover a spiritual path and a community to walk with to transform our suffering. He also delves into how to understand our mind consciousness and nurture our well-being. After hearing the Dharma, we invite you to share your experience with other listeners online at dpcast.net or on our Facebook page. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes.

Jun 28, 2013

Dear Friends, This week we offer the first half of a dharma talk given by Brother Phap Ho at the 2012 Mindfulness Retreat. He explores the questions, "What is suffering?" and "How do we transform ill-being and nourish well-being?" from his own perspective, but also from the perspective of three great teachers and role models for him, the Buddha, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thich Nhat Hanh. Remember you can find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at dpcast.net, on twitter, facebook, and iTunes. We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences of hearing the dharma with other listeners this week online at dpcast.net or on our facebook page. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 21, 2013

Dear Friends, This week we have a continuation from last week's podcast, as we listen to the second half of Brother Phap Hai's talk from Deer Park's 2012 Mindfulness Retreat. Brother Phap Hai shares lessons from Master Dogen's 13th century Zen text, "Instructions for the Cook". Furthermore, he shares that to go with the three roots of suffering, three different minds can be cultivated: joyful mind, magnanimous mind, and parental mind. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 14, 2013

Dear Friends, This week's dharma talk was given by Brother Phap Hai at the 2012 Mindfulness Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Known for his poetic and engaging dharma talks, he shares the Buddha's teachings about the three roots of our suffering; greed, ill-will, and delusion; and the eight winds or worldly dharmas; gain, loss, status, disgrace, praise, blame, pleasure and pain. Brother Phap Hai challenges us to look critically at our lives and ask two questions: what is practice? and are we sure? You will notice the sound of the wind and a lovely baby during the talk. Enjoy the imperfectness of the recording. =) Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Jun 7, 2013

Dear Friends, This week's dharma talk was given by Brother Phap Don at the recent People of Color retreat at Deer Park Monastery on the concept: "I have arrived, I am home." How can we arrive and find our true home? Brother Phap Don first offers us the repetition and mindfulness of the daily mundane activities and then describes the Buddha's 12 mindfulness exercises. Join the DP Dharmacast team in welcoming (back) Soren Kisiel, who is kindly recording the introductions for the weekly podcasts. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

May 30, 2013

Dear Friends, During the New Year's retreat, Brother Phap De gave a wonderful dharma talk on gratitude. Although it's the middle of the year, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the message. Brother Phap De delves deeply into gratitude to our parents. With Mother's Day having just passed and Father's Day coming up, I thought we might have our parents on our minds. Enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. "When we're addicted to our own thinking, it is the cause of almost all of our suffering. And that experience kills the possibility of gratitude." "A quote from the Buddha: I tell you, there are two people that are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother and father."

May 26, 2013

Dear Friends, Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast -- the podcast that puts the Dharma in your pocket. Deer Park recently hosted a People of Color retreat. Part of the retreat was a question and answer session where retreatants were invited to ask questions from the heart to a panel of laywomen, laymen, monks and nuns. Today, we offer you an excerpt of the question and answer session. Perhaps you have asked yourself these questions at one point in time? -- How can we share the importance and need for dedicated People of Color or Wake Up (young adult) retreats? -- How do we practice when the people around us are not practicing? -- What can we do to stop ourselves from speaking out of anger? We hope you enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. Remember, you can always find the Deer Park Dharmacast online at DPcast.net, on iTunes, Twitter, or Facebook

May 26, 2013

Dear Friends, Thank you for listening to the Deer Park Dharmacast. We hope it has brought you much peace and understanding whether you have been listening for years or for a few days. It is with great joy that I share that I am joining the DPcast team as the new coordinator for the podcast. I have much to learn, so please do provide feedback on the podcasts during this transition time either through the individual podcast comment feature on dpcast.net or by email at: dpcastlove@gmail.com. May you be happy and well, Cathy

Apr 2, 2013

Dear Friends, When our sangha brother Washuntara visits Deer Park, we often sing this beautiful song together. Here is a lovely video of Can't Stop Love. Please enjoy this beautiful musical offering. If you want to hear more of Washuntara, please visit http://www.washuntara.com.

Nov 10, 2012

Thay Phai Hai explains the meaning behind the Chinese characters for mindfulness. Preview: "A new understanding can emerge..." Michael provides the listeners with a visual for their reference.

Oct 30, 2012

Kiss the ground with your feet as Thay Phap Hai takes us on a journey to meet a gentleman of the past. Preview: "Allow your path to be an expression of who you are." Make sure to download the bonus content " Discourse on Love, " contact the Deer Park bookstore if you are interested in the full album in addition to similar works.

Oct 22, 2012

Breathe with me as Sister Kinh Nghiem shares her story mixed in with a Buddhist story. Self-described as a city girl, she scatters the seeds we need to grasp the true nature of the practice. Preview: "100%, this is your ticket!" This time the artwork was submitted by none other than myself, Michael Nguyen . I'd like to ask for experienced audio editors to join our team. Please get in touch because we have many dharmacasts which needs tender love and care.

Oct 5, 2012

Stay seated as Thay Phap Khoi shares about the good sight meditation, the 8 fold path and a rewritten song that by coincidence shares the same name as the retreat he is speaking at.Preview: "Be here now, be here now, savor your tea and drink your cloud. Sit with ease, walk in peace the path will turn to joy you'll see." Enjoy the artwork submitted by Jeffery Levan, 12 years old of Houston. He says he will learn how to meditate. Let's support young Jeffrey by supporting ourselves.

Sep 30, 2012

Come a bit closer as Thay Phap Ho shares from his life experience and a well of knowledge at the 2012 Family Retreat. The winter winds may be sneaking up on us but rays of light continue to be transmitted around us. Preview: "Full blown anger will take us away." If you use Twitter, follow us @dpcast to get the dharma instantly in your pocket.

Sep 3, 2012

This is the opening Dharma Talk with two special guest dharma teachers: the most Venerable Suhita Dharma, the first ordained African American Buddhist monk, and the Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams, founder of the Center for Transformative Change in Berkeley. The teachers share about the retreat theme, Transforming Suffering: Touching Peace & Freedom. If you would like to attend a retreat to practice in the Plum Village tradition, please check the following websites for retreat information in your area. www.deerparkmonastery.org www.bluecliffmonastery.org www.magnoliagrovemonastery.org www.plumvillage.org Peace

Sep 1, 2012

Dear Friends Here is part two of this wonderful talk from the People of Color retreat at Deer Park. Our guest teachers are joined by Sister Huong Nghiem to respond to written questions from retreatants. The topics cover how we might approach reconnection with those we may be separated from, compassionate eating, addressing grief and how to avoide being an 'angry activist'. Please accept this offering for the benefit of all beings.

Sep 1, 2012

Dear Friends On July 27-29, 2012, Deer Park Monastery hosted its first People of Color Retreat in five years. The retreat weekend came together with two special guest dharma teachers: the most Venerable Suhita Dharma, the first ordained African American Buddhist monk, and the Rev. Angel Kyodo William, founder of the Center for Transformative Change in Berkeley. This first podcast is the first dharma talk session given Saturday, July 27, by both Rev. Angel and the Venerable inspired by the retreat theme, Transforming Suffering: Touching Peace & Freedom. The next 3 podcasts are comprised of the closing dharma talks(part 1) and Question & Answer session of the 2012 People of Color Retreat Weekend (Part 2), Transforming Suffering: Touching Peace & Freedom. The Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams and the Most Venerable Suhita Dharma speak of our responsibility to transform our anger and suffering, as well as our call to bear witness. The closing talks are followed by a Q/A panel session where they are joined by Sr. Huong Nghiem of Deer Park Monastery . Please enjoy these insightful and healing sharings. Bowing in gratitude to wonderful teachings.

Aug 30, 2012

Today we learn about the 5 Hindrances and their antidotes from our wonderful teacher, Thich Chan Phap Ho--Protector of the Dharma. Phap Ho encourges us to have the courage to do the things in life that we want to do and reminds us that living our life mindful of interdependence and interbeing will bring us to the right path. We also learn how to turn neutral feelings into happiness. For example, if you have ever experienced anger, you can see that the state of not being angry is always a great happiness! Please enjoy this wonderful talk

Jul 24, 2012

Dear Friends We had a special session during the family retreat on mindful parenting. Our sister Nomi Green shares her insights as a parent and as a professional about children and our relationship with them--and ourselves. Please enjoy! With this podcast, we also welcome a new editor to our Podcast Family--welcome Genevieve!

Jun 18, 2012

Dear Friends This wonderful talk is by our beloved Phap De, Younger Brother. Phap De offers many deep insights about the nature of suffering and offers practical methods to transform it. He reminds us that our perceptions are mostly wrong and mostly made up of our past. He shares deeply about the nature of judgement and forgiveness reminding us that the more we can forgive, the more we can feel forgiven. Enjoy this deep talk.

May 29, 2012

Dear Friends As summer begins, we thought we would offer a musical treat from Joe Reilly's new CD--Hello Ocean. This CD is dedicated to the True Ocean Family who ordained as order of Interbeing Members in September of 2011. The CD also includes a wonderful song called 'Monkey Mind' that might help you change your relationship with your own monkey mind too. If you would like more info on how to purchase a copy of the CD, you can email Joe at joereillymusic@gmail.com. Smiling to the Sun and the Ocean, within us and outside of us

Apr 14, 2012

Dear Friends, welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast. Today we offer a dharma talk from Brother Phap De on Mother Earth, given here at Dear Park with the approach of the Christmas holiday. Brother Phap De is an American born monk, to whom Thich Nhat Hahn gave a monastic name meaning “Young Monk.” Here Thay Phap De speaks about his Christian upbringing and beliefs, and describes how Thich Nhat Hahn taught him to bring his heavenward attentions down to a loving and peaceful Mother Earth. Please find a solid, upright, and relaxed position to enjoy today’s dharma talk.

Mar 27, 2012

Dear Friends Deer Park is offering a series of theme weekends during the year. The first weekend was a wonderful offering from Dharma Teacher Eileen Kiera. Eileen is a resident Dharma teacher at Mountain Lamp near Bellingham Washington. http://mountainlamp.org/ Eileen Kiera is an ecologist by training and a vegetable gardener by passion, but the practice and support of the Dharma has been her primary focus for the past 24 years. She's a student of Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken, Roshi. Thich Nhat Hahn acknowledged her as a dharma teacher in 1990, and since then she's led retreats in many places in the U.S., Europe and Australia. This wonderful weekend Alive as a Bodhisattva Eileen shared about the practice and the path of a Bodhisattva. This talk was the opening orientation. If you would like more information on the theme weekends at Deer Park, please visit http://deerparkmonastery.org/events/theme-weekends Please find an relaxed, upright, and stable position and enjoy this beautiful offering.

Mar 27, 2012

On the second talk of the weekend, Dharma Teacher Eileen Kiera shares about the practice, presence, body, and great vows of three powerful bodhisattvas-- Avalokiteshvara, Manjusri, and Samanthabhadra. We learn that if we can cultivate the energy and practice of compassionate listening, looking deeply, and responding with appropriate action we can embody these bodhisattvas in our lives. When they are embodied in us, it can be said that they live in the world. We hope you enjoy these talks. Please explore other talks by Dharma teacher Eileen Kiera at the Mountain Lamp website at http://mountainlamp.org/audio/eenkiera.html

Feb 20, 2012

Dear Thay, Dear Sangha, Dear Virtual Community Today, we close our Three Month Winter Retreat and our Moment by moment class. The Third Noble Truth--the end of suffering is discussed by our teachers. We are encouraged to look into our suffering and to be aware of what is real and how much we create in our own mind. What is our real experience and what is suffering because that is what we label it? We are reminded that the path is not a straight line and our view of our suffering can change depending where we are on the path. We are reminded that we are not just one thing, we are many things. We can look deeply to see where we have a skillful relationship with our suffering and where we have a not-yet-skillful relationship. As our monastics recite, 'when a monk goes into the world, he looks straight ahead and walks mindfullly'. May we all cultivate the ability to stay compassionately on the path--walking with mindfulness and concentration. In this way, we offer our beauty, presence, and practice each other. Our practice is not a conceptual exercise, it is one to be lived in real life, moment by moment, each and every day. Our teachers ask, does anything really end? With Right View we see there is no beginning and no end. Our course has ended, but it has also just begun as the 3,000 practitioners in 40 countries who are following the course walk mindfully into the world. We bow in gratittude to all of you and to our wonderful teachers who show us the way in this life. Find your path. Enjoy your step. Enjoy your breath. Treasure your life.

Feb 13, 2012

Last week, we learned about the first turning of the wheel-the recognition of our suffering and our situation. With the second turning of the wheel, Thich Chan Phap Hai encourages us to explores the causes of our suffering. We learn more deeply about the three poisons-- Greed (or 'ever-seeking' or 'always wanting'), Hatred (or ill-will or 'closed-down heart') and ignorance or delusion (not ignorance as in lack of learning but in the inability to see things as they really are). These are the three roots of suffering that the 4 noble truths offered by the Buddha will transform leading to liberation. The weekly practices focus on 'bare recognition' or 'bare experience' and handout includes many important readings. Tonight's talk is a beautiful offering of the dharma that is practical for us to use. It offers guideposts that help us on the journey in the Dharma that each of us must experience for ourselves. We hope you will find it immediately useful and effective.

Feb 6, 2012

Dear Virtual Family: For the past 8 weeks, we have studied the Noble 8-fold path, the 4th of the 4 Noble truths. In a kind of Zen order, we have studied the last, first. Tonight, we look into the first of the Four Noble Truths- The Existence of Suffering/Stress. Thich Chan Phap Ho (Protection of the Dharma) guides us to look deeply into the fact that we have suffering, what it is, and how to handle it. We can bring our awarness to the reality of our suffering and bring our courageous Buddha nature in us to face it and not run away any more. If we can cultivate the courage and stability in ourselves necessary to turn toward our suffering, we are closer to the peace and freedom offered by our practice. We aren't afraid and we don't need to run away any more. We can look at the base situation and see what is the real suffering and what is our mind adding to the situation. Our teacher discusses the three poisons and the things that our suffering is often attached to. Remembering the original fear and the original desire, we can liberate ourselves in this life. Together, we can reflect on how transformation happens within us, and how we can be as alive and transformative as the beautiful Deer Park compost pile! Please, sit with stability, breathe deeply, and enjoy this talk. It can bring a lot of healing to ourselves, our families, and our world.

Feb 1, 2012

Today's talk is a talk and a practice. A chance to come back and touch the moment. A chance to cultivate the evenness and concentration of our mind and to connect our body and our mind. We learn new ways to enjoy being ourselves and nourish ourselves with right concentration. Concentration also means 'to dwell with'. We learn how to keep the weather within the same, no matter what the weather outside is. Please enjoy this wonderful practice.

Jan 16, 2012

Tonight we learn about another step on the Noble Eight Fold Path- Right Livelihood. The way we make a living has an impact on our world and society, but also on us. As we make a living, we are also making ourselves. Tonight's class discusses the many ways the practice can nourish our work life and allows up to help ourselves, our co-workers and the people we serve all at once. Phap Ho is joined by two panelists from the Order of Interbeing who share about their path of practice and livelihood. We are also reminded that whereever we work, we can aspire to bring kindness to our workplace. As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, may we all reflect on the work we are doing and how if is serving the Beloved Community and a more compassionate society. The study materials can be found here http://deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/moment-by-moment/course-material-week-7/view

Jan 9, 2012

Dear Friends Tonight we are offered a very inspiring and empowering teaching on Right Effort. Right Effort is the first in the Concentration Triad of steps on the 8-fold path, the place where we are able and ready to collect our mind. At this point in our training, our mind begins to calm down. Right effort in Buddhist teaching is not hard labor. It is appropriate attention or appropriate effort. We will learn how to examine what we are being fed by others and what we are feeding ourselves. We are offered a clear, basic definition of mindfulness and you will share in the creation of helpful new acronyms-- THNYA and THAA. There is also a pop-quiz on the Prajana Dyad so be mindful! Best of all, you will be given the best homework in the world history of teaching-- the requirement to be lazy. The handout is here http://deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/moment-by-moment/course-material-week-6/view Enjoy

Jan 2, 2012

Welcome Back and Happy New Year to our virtual Dharma classmates! We hope you enjoyed your holiday and were offered many beautiful opportunities to cultivate, enjoy, and share your practice. Tonight's class is on Right Action. Sr. Bich Nghiem shares that the practice of Right Action can help us be happier. Right action means right action of the body, the practice of being in touch with love and preventing harm, non-violence, and doing everything in mindfulness. She shares that our actions need to be good for ourselves and for others to be right action. If it is good for others and not good for ourselves or good for ourselves and not good for others, then it is not right action yet. We review the 1,2,3, and 5th mindfulness trainings. You will also learn how to share the dharma with snakes and our other animal friends. Enjoy your practice and see you next week.

Dec 23, 2011

Dear Friends Just in time for the holidays we have an opportunity to look deeply at Right Speech. The materials prepared for this talk are very useful and insightful. You can find them here: http://deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/moment-by-moment/course-material-week-4/view Thich Phap Ho shares about ways to make our speech loving, kind, and using speech that grows our community in a harmonious direction. Sister Quynh Nghiem shares about the important practice of Noble Silence. We are sorry it took extra time to post this weeks class, we had a bit of technical difficulty but due to the great commitment of our dedicated dharma teacher Phap Ho, he has ensured that this class could manifest and we are very grateful. Please enjoy this deep and timely class.

Dec 20, 2011

Today we offer a very useful and moving dharma talk given here at Deer Park Monastery by Brother Phap Dang, in which he speaks about depression and dark states of the mind, and the mind’s obsessions that can lead to these dark places. We know it will bring benefits to many people.

Dec 12, 2011

Dear Friends: Tonights podcast includes three amazing gifts-- 00-8:00 a sitting meditation (there is a little additional resonance that makes the bells very long around minute 7:00) 8:00 Intro to the class 13:00 A beautiful song offering, Can't Stop Love, by Washuntara (www.washuntara.com) 18:00 The teaching by Thich Phap Hai on Right Thinking/ Right Intention. Enjoy this amazing offering.

Dec 5, 2011

Dear Dharmacast Family: We hope you are having a wonderful winter (or summer depending on where you are) and are enjoying the fruits of your practice. We continue with the Moment to Moment exploration with today's class on Right View. The handout can be found at http://deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/moment-by-moment/course-material-week-2/view and it is highly encouraged that you download and review this. It provides much wonderful information and insightful suggested practice ideas and reflection questions that can be put to very beneficial use by an individual or a sangha. We learn from Sr. Bich Nghiem how to bring the joy of practice into our daily life. She also offers a reminder that, at their base, all views are wrong views (having only one point of viewing) but that, through practice, the quality of our views can always be improved.

Nov 28, 2011

Moment by Moment: A 90-day journey in the landscape of Buddhist Teachings & Practices This winter a group of Monastic Dharma Teachers here at Deer Park will offer a course based in the Buddhas Teaching on the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path. Nov 27, 2011 This winter's course - Moment by Moment: will be an opportunity to enjoy walking meditation through some of the vistas of central Buddhist teachings and practices. If we look deeply at the Buddhist Dharma, we see concentric circles- at the very heart of the circles lies the Four Noble Truths . All of the foundational teachings and practices spring from this source. Out of the Four Noble Truths emerge the Noble Eightfold Path , the Buddha's guidance for realizing transformation in body, speech and mind at a fundamental level. From the various steps of the Noble Eightfold Path spring a multitude of sutras, practices and commentaries. During this course, we will enjoy sharings on each of the Truths and the steps of the path; we will be offered concrete practices to apply at home and we will have suggested readings and reflections , as appropriate. These will be available on the Deer Park Monastery website . The three month winter retreat is a time of focused attention and deep looking . It is also a time of simplifying, of settling ... a time of recognizing how we use our energy in our daily life. Most of all it is a time of allowing ourselves to settle- to settle into our experience of the moment. Making the commitment to attend this class- even knowing all of the challenges- is one way to bring that element of focused intention into our lives- even if we cannot spend ninety days in a practice center. When: Sunday afternoon at 3 pm, weekly first session: November 27, last session: February 19 Where: in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall, Deer Park Monastery or online Deer Park Dharma Cast: http://deerpark.libsyn.com/ How long: each session will be one hour Why: because we like to You can follow the course offerings and suggested ‘homework’ by going to http://deerparkmonastery.org/community/moment-by-moment

Oct 13, 2011

This very special Dharma Talk by Thay is offered by the wonderful Plum Village Monastery Online. We encourage you to visit http://pvom.org/ for more of these wonderful teachings. Here is an excerpt from the website. "This is the final Dharma talk offered by Thay in the Together We Are One Retreat at Deer Park Monastery on the North American Tour, on September 11th, 2011. Thay shares compassion, love, and great understanding: Understanding of suffering allows compassion to arise, and the energy of compassion can be very healing. You feel much better after having understood your own suffering. And your own suffering reflects somehow the suffering of the world. That is why once you have understood your own suffering, it is much easier and easier to understand his suffering, her suffering. And when you are able to see the suffering in him and in her you're no longer angry. He goes on to share about right view and how it can free us from notions of being and non-being. He finishes the talk discussing what is right action.'

Aug 19, 2011

Dear Community Every year in summer, Deer Park Monastery hosts a 5-day Teen Camp. The teens camp out, sleeping in tents, gathering around a camp fire in the morning, play and practice. This year was a wonderful experience for over 50 teens. Here is a wonderful Dharma talk from the Teen Retreat. Enjoy you peaceful breath, Enjoy your peaceful step

Jun 24, 2011

Dear Friends Today's talk is from the annual Meditation and Education Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Dharma teacher Sister Huong Nghiem shares insights about the practice and offers beautiful teachings for the group of students and educators gathered at the retreat. She urges us to look for and find the teacher in ourselves and to find ways to be in the drivers seat of our own lives. We meditate to see what should be done and doesn't need to be done. She asks us to look to see if we want to react to life or respond to life. If we practice, we can see what we want from our lives. We hope you enjoy this beautiful talk.

Apr 26, 2011

Dear Friends, We are happy today to bring you a wonderful dharma talk on the Discourse on Loving-Kindness by Thay Phap Hai. In this talk, Thay Phap Hai guides us in a deep introduction not only on the text, but also how to use it in our daily lives. He urges us, in this and in all the teachings, to always ask ‘how does this apply to my situation?’ He also touches on the Four Divine Abidings and how to practice the ‘radiations’ or metta meditations. We are urged to look deeply into, What is it that separates us? What is it that brings us together? There is a handout that you may wish to print out as you study this talk. The Pali Language version, an English Translation, as well as the version in our Chanting Book (Chanting from the Heart) Can be found here: http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/discourse-on-loving-kindness/view May you benefit from and enjoy this talk and may your face be radiant like a ripe fruit just plucked from the tree.

Apr 12, 2011

Dear friends, The Deer Park Podcast team hopes you enjoyed the Course on the 14 Verses of Meditation. Now, we are happy to resume our schedule of offering talks from Days of Mindfulness at Deer Park. Thich Phuoc Tinh, known to the Sangha as the Venerable, here offers a forthright guide to everyday practice. The Venerable shows us how a steady mindfulness practice can whither away our sorrow and anger, and allow us to understand that all our reactions and emotions come from within us. This dharma talk was offered for 2011’s New Year, during the Holiday Retreat, and reminds us to be sure that our practice isn’t only for when were on retreat. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they guide us through a wonderful 2011.

Mar 24, 2011

Dear Friends After 14 weeks, we have come to our last verse. We hope you have enjoyed this course. We hope you will offer your thoughts and comments, especially how this course has helped deepen your practice. Verse 14 Supported by the Sangha Body my practice flows easier, allowing me to swiftly realize my great determination to love and understand all beings. Alternate Translation: With the support of the Sangha one can practice successfully with ease and accomplish quickly the Great Aspiration to help all beings. Reflection Questions: What do I rely on and take refuge in? Who is my Sangha? What supports me in the practice of awareness? What is my deep aspiration in life? Practices: Attend a local Sangha or start one! Readings The Three Refuges The Four Recollections Discourse on Taking Refuge in Oneself

Mar 12, 2011

Verse 13 Not Discriminating Between the practice offered by the Tathagata and that of the ancestral teachers, the Four Noble Truths perfectly interwoven should serve as the foundation of an authentic transmission. Thay Phap Hai offers a deep class today reminding us that the universe has a way of teaching us the lesson we are ready to learn. We alsways want to ask, "How does this teaching help me to transform?" If it doesn't it is not the right teaching at this time. The dharma should be immediately useful and effective. The reflections for this week are: What is my experience of giving and receiving? Is it easier for me to give or to receive? Why do I think this is? Enjoy this wonderful class.

Mar 8, 2011

Dear Friends Sorry for the long delay in posting this class. Our podcast limits were exceeded but we should be able to post more now. Enjoy bathing in the stream! Verse 12 The Mahayana sutras and teachings open many fresh, wide gateways allowing me to enter the depths of the stream of meditation flowing from the Original Source of the Buddha's teachings.

Feb 17, 2011

Hi Friends Here is Verse 11 The basic meditation sutras, such as the Full Awareness of Breathing and the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, show us step by step, how to transform the body and the mind. We are encouraged to focus on one set of 4 exercises from the Discourse on Full Awareness of Breathing during our daily sitting meditation. We can also look deeply to reflect on What is suffering in by body and mind? What noursihes these sufferings? What can help heal these sufferings? Please enjoy this beautiful teaching.

Feb 9, 2011

Dear Friends We are so happy and thankful to Thay Phap Hai for this beautiful teaching. The readings are also a wonderful reminder how much all of us non-monastics owe Anathapindika. He is the one who, on his deathbed, shared with the sangha that us laypeople could understand the deep teachings of the dharma. Let us live in such a way as to be worthy of his confidence. Verse 10: Nirvana is non-attainment Sudden or gradual enlightenment are not different. True realization is to live in freedom right now in this moment. Reflection Questions: 1) Do I notice times when I feel the need to be right? How does this manifest in thought, word and action? 2) What situations do I notice more of a push to be right, or to prove my point? How does this feel in my body? In my mind? 3) If I can sit with that experience, am I able to discover anything underneath? Readings: Discourse on Teachings to be Given to the Sick

Jan 31, 2011

Dear Virtual Study Group We apologize for the delay in posting. We are only able to upload 250 MB a month so when we exceed our limit we have to wait a bit. We hope you will understand as the podcast is run on donations and volunteer time. Here is Verse 9: Emptiness, signlessness, and aimlessness liberate me from suffering, so that in my daily practice I am not caught in mere intellectual understanding . Our Sister reminds us that we can learn to let go, that we already have everything we need inside of us. We can stop running, stop aiming, and make use of what we already have. A good reflection is to look at our life right now and find out what is making us feel not free. This beautiful sharing is closed with the deep insight, "Thank you for allowing myself to see myself more." Enjoy

Jan 14, 2011

Dear Friends Tonight, we are introduced to the concepts that can, with practice, become our reality. Thay Phap Hai reminds us that intellectual understanding is not one with wisdom and that whatever we learn we always have to ask 'how does this apply in my life?' We also are introduced to interdependent co-arising which is at the core of the buddhist teaching. This is, because that is. Verse 8 Impermanence is one with nonself. Nonself is one with interdependent origination, is one with emptiness, is one with conventional designation, is one with the middle way, is one with interbeing. Please enjoy this very deep teaching on Verse 8

Jan 8, 2011

Dear Thay, Dear Sangha Tonight's teaching is on the 7th Verse. Thay Phap Ho shares that we can be aware that our happiness depends on my mindful attitude and not external conditions. We review the 4 recollections and we are encouraged to seek to recognize what is bringing happiness and joy to our lives. The Mindfulness Trainings are discussed and we can see that if we are practicing and living according to the Mindfulness Trainings we are at peace because we are not regretting anything. Verse 7 To dwell in the present moment, to transform all habit energies, to give rise to understanding, liberating ourselves from all afflictions. The additional practice of a Minute Meditation is introduced as a means to slow down when we see that we are being carried away. Slowing down is a compassionate teaching. We hope you enjoy this beautiful talk

Dec 31, 2010

Dear Friends on the Path, Here is the teaching on Verse 6. Verse 6 Looking deeply into the heart of reality to see the true nature of things, practicing vipashyana enables me to let go of everything I am searching for, my desires, and my fears. Our sister shares the teaching with us that the practice is to be closer to our hearts. The more I know myself, the more I can connect with what is outside. There are some wonderful suggestions for reflections that we can all benefit from too for the new year. Reflections: Ending a year and starting a new: - what nourishment did 2010 offer - what were the challenges - how do I aspire to continue Happy New Year Everyone!! May your year be filled with peace and stability of living in the Present Moment.

Dec 20, 2010

Dear Friends Tonight's wonderful class provides many insights into why we meditate and how we can better be masters of our own practice. Here is the link for the materials http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/fourteen-verses-on-meditation-course-nov-21-2010-feb-20-2011 Verse 5: To calm, to relax the body and mind. To nourish, to heal, to protect the 6 senses, and to maintain right concentration. This week's homework also includes the wonderful, restful practice of Deep Relaxation--perfect for those of you entering the holidays....what a gift for yourself and the ones you love! May you and your family be well.

Dec 13, 2010

Dear Classmates on the Path Tonight's transmission is on the 4th Verse. We begin the podcast after those present in the class all shared how our practice was progressing with each other. Maybe you, too, would like to reflect how your practice has been going for you. 4th Verse: My breathing and my steps Enable me to generate the energy of mindfulness, So that I can recognize and touch the wonders of life within and around me. Our teacher, Thay Phap Hai, reminds us that stopping and calm abiding allow us to uncover what is already there. We also will benefit if we can ask, 'We're stopping what?' Another wonderful practice that our teacher urges us to try this week is 'Lazy Hour'. Enjoy your breath this week--and your laziness.

Dec 6, 2010

Dear Friends Here is Sister Su Co Bich Nghiem's beautiful transmission on Verse 3. Third Verse: The practice of Vipashyana is to Look Deeply into the nature of the five skandas so that I may develop understanding and transform suffering. In this sharing, our sister encourages us to "Give yourself time to be with yourself more so that you can know yourself more. So that we can better know ways to care for ourselves." Enjoy your week of beautiful breathing.

Nov 29, 2010

Dear Friends What a great fortune to have been born a human, to be in harmony with others, and to have a chance to take this wonderful course! The second session is offered to us by Thay Phap Hai and is rich with insights into our beautiful practice. The Second Verse: Stopping (Shamatha) means to be still In order to recognize, to be in contact, To nourish, to heal, To calm, to soothe, and to refocus the mind. Thay offers us a guided meditation, an introduction to the five hindrances, and three means to plunge ourselves into the cool water of the present moment. The reading materials for this class are available on the Deer Park Monastery website at www.deerparkmonastery.org May all enjoy calm abiding in the present moment during the week ahead.

Nov 22, 2010

Dear Friends The 3-month Winter Rains Retreat began today at Deer Park. Also, today this course on the Fourteen Verses on Meditation course held its first class. A group of around 30 people have joined together to be taught by Thay Phap Hai, Thay Phap Ho, and Su Co Bich Nghiem and we have all committed to following the course during the coming 14 weeks. We hope that you will join us online. In this way you can join us in our study, reflection and practice when and where it is suitable for you. The text material for the respective classes and the outline of the course can be found on this website under Teachings, Fourteen Verses on Meditation here: http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/teachings/fourteen-verses-on-meditation-course-nov-21-2010-feb-20-2011 or go to http://www.deerparkmonastery.org First Verse on Meditation: Just as a bird has two wings, the practice of meditation has "stopping" and "deep looking." The two wings depend on each other. Stopping and deep looking go in tandem. The Podcast team will do our best to put the recording online as soon as we can after the class. Because we want to keep up with the class, these podcasts will not have the usual introductions so we hope that is acceptable. May we all enjoy our stopping and looking together during this winter reflection time.

Oct 25, 2010

Dear friends, Brother Phap Dung, the Abbott of Deer Park Monastery, here offers a wonderfully casual talk with the children at this summer's Family Retreat. From Pokemon to Deer Park's ravens to an introduction to inviting the bell to sound, Brother Phap Dung encourages children to be present with, and appreciate, their surroundings and family. Please enjoy these offerings with your family, and may there be great joy in your mindful togetherness.

Sep 8, 2010

Dear friends, Thich Nhat Hahn shows us very clearly that while we practice for our own transformation, it is just as important to practice for our relationships with those we love. In this dharma talk Bother Phap Dung, the Abbott of Deer Park, encourages us to be present with exactly who we are, with all our strengths and weakness, rather than an impossible image of how we should be. He shows us how, by being present with ourselves and families in this way, we can clearly see the time, space, and attention needed to care for ourselves and our loved ones. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they guide us toward acceptance of the miracle of this present moment.

Aug 29, 2010

Dear friends, In this playful dharma talk given to the children at this summer's family retreat, Brother Phap Ho shares a story of a frontier boy learning the ways of the local Native American tribe and the lessons of diligence. Learning, he reminds us, for both children and adults, can be the same thing as playing. Please enjoy these offerings with your family, and may your present moment be inspired with playfulness.

Jun 25, 2010

Waking up this morning I smile 24 brand new hours are before me I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion Dear Friends Gathas are short verses to recite in the routine moments of our lives - waking up in the morning, brushing our teeth, turning on a car – to bring mindfulness and connection to those moments. In this dharma talk, Sister Huong Nghiem encourages us in our practice of using these gathas, showing us how to use them to cultivate gratitude and stoke the fires of understanding, directing our hearts and minds toward the wholesome seeds stored in our consciousness. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they be nourishing to your practice.

May 21, 2010

Sister Dang Nghiem shows us the proper way to invite the sound of the bell. She also teaches us how to cultivate that peacefulness when we hear noises that might otherwise cause stress.Lay practitioner Patrick Burke made the video. A higher resolution version is at www.burkepost.com .

May 21, 2010

This is the full audio version of the Bells of Mindfulness video.

Mar 23, 2010

Dear Friends Thich Phuoc Tinh, known to the Sangha as The Venerable, here offers a wonderfully direct talk to encourage us forward in our practice. He reminds us that if we stop practicing when we are feeling good, we are like a person rubbing sticks together to start a fire, and stopping just as the sticks grow warm, before the real fire begins. The Dharma, he tells us, is a dharma of action, not of intellect. This dharma talk is offered for Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new year. May the renewal and rejoicing that is going on at the Monastery carry deeply into your life. A collection of The Venerable’s dharma talks is available as a book. Be Like a Tree, Zen Talks by Thích Ph ướ c T ị nh is a collection of the Venerable’s uniquely practical and inspiring talks, helping us in our practice with non-fear, recognizing our thoughts and feelings, creating space in our lives, loving and being loved, cultivating our spirituality, and tasting the enjoyment of our own lives. The talks were compiled by OI Member Karen Hilsberg, and the book is available at lulu.com and amazon.com. Please enjoy these offerings, and may there be renewal in your every mindful breath.

Feb 26, 2010

Dear Friends, We hope you will enjoy this short interview with a local Deer Park practitioner. J.C. Earle practices with the Compassionate Heart Sangha in Los Angeles, and he's a frequent visitor to Deer Park. In this video, J.C. discusses his understanding of mindfulness, using his garden as a metaphor for consciousness. A higher-quality version of this video is available at burkepost.com . This Vidcast was created by another Deer Park practitioner, Patrick Burke, and we are very grateful to him for this offering. Please enjoy cultivating your garden as you watch this offering.

Jan 29, 2010

Dear Friends, Last night at the Dharma Nectar Hall of Lower Hamlet in Plum Village, lay and monastic practitioners from around the world gathered to concentrate our energy into a new song which could represent the Wake Up movement. Thanks to the good conditions of a visit from Joe Reilly, Melina Bondy and many talented monks, nuns and lay friends, the fruit of our practice is posted here. To learn more, or to join the Wake Up movement look no further than the website at http://wkup.org . For more of Joe Reilly's songs, follow the link to his website at http://joereilly.org . Open your eyes!

Jan 25, 2010

Dear Friends, Often at the end of retreats at Deer Park, a panel of Monks and Nuns will offer a question and answer session with the retreat's participants. These sessions are always a precious opportunity for the retreat participants to seek guidance in their practice, and for our monastic brothers and sisters to share their unique insights. This question and answer session was offered on the last day of Deer Park's recent Mindfulness and Education retreat. The panel of monks and nuns answer questions from the college students and other visitors at the retreat on loneliness and connection, monastic life and values, and mindfulness of habit energies, cravings and addictions. Please enjoy these offerings, and may the support of our monastic brothers and sisters be felt deeply in our practice.

Dec 17, 2009

Dear Friends, In our next focus on the Elements of Practice we look at the first of two basic practices of the dharma: stopping and looking deeply. In this dharma talk, Brother Phap Ho guides us in Stopping – coming to rest in the present moment, allowing our minds to become clear and rest in awareness. We are then able to look deeply, to see that there are so many conditions for our happiness right around us that we might not notice otherwise, that we lose in the busy-ness of our lives. And through this awareness, we are also able to look deeply into ourselves, to look at how we are constrained by the habits of our lives and minds, as so find freedom. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they guide us toward the crystal clarity of the present moment.

Nov 12, 2009

Dear Friends, In this dharma talk Sister Dang Nghiem explores neurologist Paul MacLean’s idea that our brains actually consist of three brains layered by evolution atop one another – the reptilian brain, the mammalian brain, and the intellectual Neocortex. Through the practice of mindfulness, Sister Dang Nghiem shows us how we can train ourselves to react from the highest level of our brain’s evolution, and so cultivate our minds to bring us greater happiness and peace, and to be a calm presence in the world. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they guide us toward the peace of a carefully cultivated mind.

Sep 27, 2009

Dear Friends,The situation at Bat Nha Monastery has reached an apex in the past 24 hours. One hundred policemen have shown up at Bat Nha Monastery. Three of our brothers, Phap Hoi, Phap Tu and Phap Sy have been taken and have not been seen. The rest of the monastics have been pulled out into the rain, and are apparently waiting for a truck to bring them away--where we don't know. Please practice to send your energy of peace and support. Your help now is more urgent than ever. If any of you can help in any way, especially those who might be present in Vietnam, thank you. Let the Bodhisattvas protect our young brothers and sisters.We are trying to keep the latest information posted at http://helpbatnha.orgWith palms joined,The Monks and Nuns of Deer Park Monastery

Aug 14, 2009

Dear Friends Our practice is to learn to listen to the innate wisdom that is inside of us, instead of the voices of judgment and expectation that battle for our attention. In this dharma talk, through sharing of very personal stories of care-taking for her mother, Sister Tue Nghiem helps us to see this wisdom within ourselves and to listen to, as she calls it, “our voice.” In this talk she shows us that by being present with ourselves we are able to keep from taking for granted the precious elements in our lives that support us – our health, family, friends, sangha, and our spiritual practice. The dharma talk concludes with a guided meditation in which Sister Tue Nghiem teaches us to make room inside ourselves to listen for this voice of wisdom. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they guide us toward who we really are.

Jul 29, 2009

Dear Friends In this out-of-the-ordinary edition of the Deer Park dharmacast, we would like to share two songs by singer/songwriter Joe Reilly. Joe, a practitioner in the Plum village tradition, is a face commonly seen visiting Deer Park when his touring takes him through the region. But his music can be heard at the monastery much more often, as his light-hearted, meaningful songs have become regular staples at any programs and retreats involving children and families. To learn more about his music please head to www.joereilly.org . The songs shared here are I Love Nature , and Peace Love and Unity , from his cd Children of the Earth . We present these playful songs to celebrate the family retreat at Deer Park. Relax, and enjoy.

Jun 11, 2009

Dear Friends,The 21-Day Retreat is now underway in Plum Village. Thay offered this talk to the newly arrived retreatants, beginning with a sharing on his meetings with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and continuing on to discuss how we can support President Obama in his practice of using loving speech and deep listening."When Barack Obama manifested, I regretted a little bit, because Martin Luther King, Jr. was not there to witness the fruit of our efforts. ... But finally, I saw that we are the continuation of Martin Luther King. He is happy to know that everything he has done has borne fruit. Obama is not an individual, Obama represents a Sangha. So our work is to keep the Sangha close to Obama, to offer our support. I offer this for you to reflect on it. There must be a way. Wherever there is a will there is a way."

May 29, 2009

Dear Friends, We often experience our emotions like waves, crashing on the shore. But a wave’s beginning can be miles away, or thousands of feet underwater. The same is true for our emotions. In this talk, Sister Dang Nghiem shows us that while we may not notice emotions until they crash upon us, looking deeply we can see that their origin is far below the surface. In this way we can be mindful of our habitual reactions and responses, recognizing them before we are swept away with them. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they inspire the depth of your practice.

Apr 12, 2009

Dear Friends, This Dharma talk is the final talk of Deer Park’s Heart of the Winter Retreat, a time of intensive study and practice for the monastics. To bring this three-month time of retreat to a close, Sister Huong Nghiem, or Sister True Fragrance, here offers an insightful and very pragmatic talk on looking deeply and skillfully into our practice and our lives. She offers many insights on how we can fine-tune our practice to best serve us, to identify what the root of our suffering is on a very personal level and so transform our lives at the base. The talk ends with a question and answer session with the community. Please enjoy these offerings, and may they be nourishing to your practice.

Feb 27, 2009

Dear Friends Thích Phước Tịnh, known to the Sangha as the Venerable, here offers a wonderful and direct talk on living deeply as a human being, going inward to find deep meaning in your life, and so transcending happiness and suffering, fortune and misfortune. This dharma talk was offered for Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new year, and leads us toward renewal in our life and in our practice. We offer a deep bow of gratitude to Sister Dang Nghiem for offering a wonderful translation of this talk. We are delighted to announce that for the first time the Venerable’s dharma talks are available in a book. Be Like a Tree, Zen Talks by Thích Phước Tịnh is a collection of the Venerable’s uniquely practical and inspiring talks, helping us in our practice with non-fear, recognizing our thoughts and feelings, creating space in our lives, loving and being loved, cultivating our spirituality, and tasting the enjoyment of our own lives. The talks were compiled by Order if Interbeing member Karen Hilsberg, and the book is available at lulu.com and amazon.com. Please enjoy these offerings, and may there be renewal in your every mindful breath.

Feb 7, 2009

Dear Friends, Deer Park has been alive with energy these past weeks with the monks, nuns, and visitors joyfully celebrating Tet, the lunar New Year. Celebrations included thrilling dragon dances, and the making of hundreds of traditional earth-cakes. This dharma talk was given by Thay Phap Hai just before Tet at a Day of Mindfulness. It was offered as the monthly talk for Order of Interbeing Members and Aspirants but all of us can also find great benefits for our practice. It is on the topic of Appropriateness: appropriateness in a practitioner’s actions, and in the Bodhisattva vow. Remember that the public is encouraged to attend these regular Days of Mindfulness at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido California, Blue Cliff Monastery in New York, and at Plum Village in the south of France. There is information at the end of the podcast on how you can attend.

Jan 13, 2009

Happy New Year! Today’s podcast was the result of a wonderful experiment at Deer Park. Zen Teacher Thay Phap Hai and two Order of Interbeing members, Karen Hilsberg and Kenley Neufeld, shared a dharma talk on self-renewal. These wonderful teachers offer insights into how we can begin anew with ourselves and practice right away by watering our own flower. We can also reflect on our relationships and our lives and find new places to be open to experience and to life. With these insights we can set our intentions for the new year. We hope you enjoy your flowering watering and have a joyous and happy new year.

Nov 19, 2008

Dear Friends The annual Winter Retreat opened very joyfully at Deer Park on November 15. From requests in past year's Winter Retreats for more structured study during these three months, the community has planned a number of courses for monastic and lay practitioners this winter. The Deer Park Podcast will offer the once a month special teachings on the 14 Mindfulness Trainings by senior Dharma teachers in Deer Park. The talks are planned to form one coherent in-depth look into the nature of the trainings of the Order of Interbeing. In this way, as a Sangha, we may enrich our practice and more directly see ways to engage with the practice in ourselves, in our families, and in society. This podcast is a wonderful offering from Thay Phap Dung on Openness.

Nov 12, 2008

Hello everyone Dharma teachers Thay Phap Ho and Sister Dang Nghiem offer a recitation of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing. Thich Nhat Hanh says in this book, Interbeing , "If we practice these trainings deeply enough, we will recognize that each training contains every other training. Studying and practicing them can help us understand the true nature of interbeing-we cannot just be by ourselves alone; we can only inter-be with everyone and everything else. To practice these mindfulness trainings is to become aware of what is going on in our bodies, our minds, and the world. With awareness, we can live our lives happily, fully present in each moment we are alive, intelligently seeking solutions to the problems we face, and working for peace in small and large ways. I hope you will join me in practicing these mindfulness trainings or the equivalent from your own tradition. It is crucial for our own well-being and the well-being of the world." You may like to recite these once a month to help nourish your practice. Please enjoy! If you would like to read the text of the trainings please visit http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/mindfulness-practice/the-fourteen-mindfulness-trainings

Sep 30, 2008

Dear Young Friends On September 19, 2008, the Wake Up movement for young Buddhists and non-Buddhists for a healthy and compassionate society was announced. Wake Up is a community of young Dharma practitioners who want to help their society which is overloaded with intolerance, discrimination, craving, anger and despair. They practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings, ethical guidelines offered by the Buddha; the most concrete practice of true love and compassion, clearly showing the way towards a life in harmony with each other and with the Earth. If you are a young practitioner we encourage you to learn about the Wake Up movement in your country. You can learn more at http://wkup.org . Today’s podcast is dedicated to young people and is taken from our 2008 Teen Retreat- Be True, Be Beautiful. Let us know if you would like to hear more podcasts for youth.

Aug 28, 2008

Dear Friends. Today we are happy to share a new kind of offering with you. We are initiating a series of podcasts called the “Elements of Practice”. We are so fortunate to have our first offering in this series from Thay Phap Hai, one of our wonderful and experienced dharma teachers here at Deer Park Monastery. In Sitting Meditation, Part 1, he shares the basics of how to sit, why we sit, and other elements of this practice. We learn how to be 'noble' and that every place you sit can be a place of awakening. You may also enjoy practicing with the guided meditation included in the talk. One of the goals of our podcast is to support individual and sangha practice wherever it is occurring. We hope this offering will help strengthen your practice. Please also visit our new website at www.deerparkmonastery.org and learn more about our tradition and practice. Please enjoy your sitting. May you and all beings be well.

Jul 22, 2008

Greetings Friends Here is an excerpt from one of Thay’s talks focusing on some lessons for beginning practitioners. For example, the practice of leaving behind can bring great happiness. He also discusses skillful ways to relate to your suffering and shares that whether we suffer a little or a lot, is entirely up to us. We hope you enjoy this wonderful talk. Please enjoy your peaceful breath.

Jun 29, 2008

Dear Friends This month we offer a wonderful sharing from Dharma teacher Larry Ward at the UN Vesak conference in Vietnam. “ The question is not what may I do to be saved, but rather, what must we do to be saved. And by ‘we’ I mean the whole planet”. It is a wonderful talk and we hope you enjoy it. To Larry’s many gifts already offered to the world a new one is added— Love’s Garden by Peggy Rowe Ward and Larry Ward explores the spiritual dimension of relationship. Larry and Peggy share stories from their own life and offer clear and useful exercises to illustrate how Buddhist principles can help couples navigate difficulties and misunderstandings and deepen their commitment to each other and to their spiritual practice. Love’s Garden is a perfect guide to help cultivate love in all of our relationships. You can learn more about it and order it www.parallaxpress.org/lovesgarden . Please enjoy these offerings and your mindful step- full of life and healing.

May 12, 2008

Dear Friends The practice of Beginning Anew is the deep teaching offered by Dharma teachers Sr. Dang Nghiem and Br. Phap An. It is a wonderful practice that can help heal relationships and improve communication and understanding—the foundations for love. This excerpt from the Stonehill College Retreat in 2007, also offers teaching on the power of our minds and how asking the simple question, "Am I sure?", can relieve much suffering. Please enjoy your breath and the beautiful spring days as the dharma rain of Beginning Anew begins to fall.

Apr 10, 2008

Dear Friends We hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring. Here is Part 2 of the 2007 Question and Answer from our College Retreat at Deer Park Monastery. Dharma teachers offer their insights on many subjects including the impacts of society on our consciousness and how to stay calm and happy. Br. Phap Ho moderates. Our next college retreat offers students the opportunity to have a different kind of ‘spring break’ by learning the nourishing practices of mindfulness, meditation, and deep relaxation. EAT: Mindful Consumption for the Body and Mind for college students of all ages will be held from April 18-20 at Deer Park Monastery. You can find more information here. http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/activities/Retreat%20Schedule/2008_Retreat_Schedule.html Until then, please enjoy the spring flowers and your peaceful breath.

Feb 28, 2008

Dear Friends, This month we offer the first of a two part Question and Answer session held during our most recent College Retreat. Several monastic Dharma Teachers share their insights in response to questions from our college students. Sr. Viet Nghiem shares why she was so happy to say goodbye to her camera. Br. Phap Luu discusses life before and after death. Brother Phap Ho leads the question and answer session. If you are able, attending a retreat is a very wonderful way to grow solidity and joy in your practice. All three of our practice centers offer retreats. If you are interested, please visit the web sites of Deer Park Monastery in Southern California, Blue Cliff Monastery in New York, or Plum Village in France to see when the retreats are offered. At Deer Park, our next retreats for young people are our Mindful Consumption for the Body and Mind retreat for College students from April 18-20 and our Be True, Be Beautiful retreat for teens from June 18-22. Please be well and enjoy your peaceful step on the Earth.

Oct 21, 2007

Dear friends, please download and read over this sheet, which we have been distributing at many of our retreats during this past tour. It lists actions we can take in our daily lives to reduce our impact on our ecosystems and the planet. If you like, fill it out and send it back to us at Deer Park Monastery so we may collate and enter your commitment to a growing list of the commitments of practitioners all over the world. Our actions inspire others, which inspires us. Thank you.

Oct 19, 2007

This week we offer you a talk that Thay gave in Denver, Colorado on August 29th, 2007 during this summer's tour. It was entitled "Our Environment: Touching Our Gift of Life," and in it Thay looks deeply at our present situation as human beings on the planet Earth. Please consider filling out the Earth Peace Treaty Commitment Sheet, to help ourselves, our communities and our planet.

May 24, 2007

The two-and-a-half month trip to Vietnam this year has finished with success. Thay and the Sangha have continued on for ten days of retreats and days of mindfulness in Hong Kong, and we now are in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a five-day retreat. This week we offer you Thay's first talk in Hong Kong, at the University of Hong Kong on 10 May, 2007. Thay fields a number of questions from the audience, including: What can we do to help the situation of global warming? What is Thay's impression of people in Hong Kong? What is the relationship of light to the practice?

May 10, 2007

This talk was offered by Thay to foreigners living in Hanoi on April 25, 2007. Included are questions and answers from the audience, and a reading of the letter that Thay offered to the people of Vietnam as part of the three reconciliation ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Soc Son, north of Hanoi.The delegation traveling with Thay has just left Hanoi for 10 days of talks and a retreat in Hong Kong.

Apr 21, 2007

This week we offer a talk for intellectuals and others given at the Sandy Beach Hotel in Da Nang. The quality of the recording is not great due to background noise, but it is intelligible, and the talk is worth the trouble. A number of questions are answered by Thay towards the end. The talk is translated by Sister Dang Nghiem.

Apr 15, 2007

This week we offer a talk from the first day of the Three Day Reconciliation Ceremony in Hue at Dieu De Temple. The ceremony was the second one on this trip, after the one in Vinh Nghiem Temple, TP Ho Chi Minh. Loved ones of people of all nationalities remembered those who died in wars and in boats during the past century in Vietnam by writing their names on hundreds of sheets. These sheets were carried on trays during the ceremony. The ceremonies have given many people here a chance to be released from the suffering caused by the violent death of loved ones. The talk is translated by Sister Gioi Nghiem.

Apr 4, 2007

This week Sister Dang Nghiem follows Thay on a tour of the Tu Hieu Temple, where he trained as a novice. The tour begins across the road from the temple, at the Bodhi Stupa in a pine forest, and continues down to the old showering well before heading up to the Buddha Hall. The audio has only been partially edited, so please enjoy your breathing during the walking sections. Today is the last day of the three-day reconciliation ceremonies in Hue at Dieu De Temple. Tomorrow morning the Sangha travels to Da Nang for a nine day visit.

Mar 22, 2007

This week we offer an interview with the Venerable Thay Duc Nghi, the founder and abbot of Prajna Temple in Bao Loc, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Thay Duc Nghi offered Prajna Temple as a place where young monks and nuns could practice according to the Plum Village tradition during Thay's last trip to Vietnam. Now Prajna has grown to over 300 monks and nuns in residence in just two years, thanks to the support of Thay Duc Nghi and numerous Dharma Teachers from Plum Village. In the interview the Venerable shares about his experience as a monk and, in particular, his experience of renewal in contact with the Plum Village practice. Brother Phap Khoi translates, and Brother Stream and Sister Jewel pose questions.

Mar 9, 2007

Greetings from Bat Nha (Prajna) Temple near Bao Loc in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Thay and the Sangha arrived here over a week ago and, after a three day trip to Da Lat where Thay lived and taught as a young Dharma Teacher, offered a retreat for lay pracitioners which is finishing today. We will now have a retreat for monastics, followed by the Precepts and Lamp Transmission Ceremonies. This talk is from the lay retreat and is the third talk Thay gave during the retreat. Questions include: How can we continue the practice after Thay and the Sangha leave? What can we do about capital punishment? Can we ordain as monastics, and how do we convince our parents to let us ordain?

Mar 4, 2007

Now we are two weeks into Thay's second trip back to Vietnam. The delegation has left TP Ho Chi Minh for Prajna Temple in Bao Loc, about five hours northeast of the city. After a three day visit to Da Lat we are back at Prajna for the Lay Practitioners' Retreat. This Dharma talk is Thay's second talk in TP Ho Chi Minh on Feb. 23, at Vinh Nghiem temple, to an audience of a few thousand. Included are questions about maintaining mindfulness in daily life, about the film based on Old Path White Clouds, and information on the reconciliation ceremonies for those killed in the wars of the past century in Vietnam.

Feb 23, 2007

This week we offer the first of Thay's talks in this year's trip to Vietnam. This talk was given at the Phap Van Temple in TP Ho Chi Minh on Feb. 22, 2007 to an audience of lay and monastic practitioners. The translation into English was done by Sister Dang Nghiem.We will do our best to keep talks and other material from this three-month trip available, but please understand if there are lapses. These are due to a lack of internet connection. We leave tomorrow for Prajna Temple in Bao Loc.

Feb 12, 2007

This week Thay offers a teaching on how to maintain beginner's mind even when we are years into the practice. Also, how do the precepts support our practice?On Feb 18 we plan to leave for a three month trip in Vietnam, Hong Kong and Thailand. We will do our best to maintain the podcast during this time, but there may be gaps when we do not have regular internet access. Please understand, and stay tuned.

Jan 30, 2007

Welcome to this month's question and answer session on the Deer Park Dharmacast. Sister Dang Nghiem (photo) and Sister Hanh Nghiem answer questions that have been sent in over the past few weeks. How do we practice with jealousy? What distinguishes Thay's tradition from Zen and Vipassana?Brother Phap Luu hosts.

Jan 16, 2007

This week we invite you to listen to an evening of sharing which took place during the second night of the Order of Interbeing Retreat this past week at Deer Park Monastery. Monastics and lay friends share about the current situation of energy consumption in relation to our practice and global warming. Also included is a new chant for the Gatha for Inviting the Bell offered by Sisters Mai Nghiem and Thai Nghiem, which you may download separately here .

Jan 5, 2007

This week's offering is the talk given by our teacher in Plum Village on New Year's Eve. Thay encourages us to make a deep aspiration for the New Year, and to put it into practice.Please write to us and tell us your aspiration to practice here in the comments on www.dpcast.org , or at our e-mail dpcast@gmail.com .Happy New Year!

Dec 23, 2006

This holiday week we offer you the audio from one of the Dharma Teacher Lamp Transmissions during the recent Beauty and Well-Being Great Ordination Ceremony in Plum Village, France. Four lay dharma teachers from Italy were chosen to receive the lamp this year, including Diana Petech (right), the teacher on this week's dharmacast.Enjoy.

Dec 13, 2006

This week we offer a chant recorded by Sister The Nghiem of Green Mountain Dharma Center: Discourse on Love. This chant is a common one in the Pali tradition of Theravadan Buddhists. The English translation was done by our teacher Thich Nhat Hanh with the help of Plum Village monks and nuns. The text and music can be found here in PDF format.This chant and other songs by Plum Village Monks and Nuns are on the Oasis CD.Enjoy your breathing.

Dec 7, 2006

Dear Friends, This week we offer the recitation of the Five Mindfulness Trainings that was offered by Thay Phap Lai this past Sunday. Please use this in your own practice of these trainings week to week. Smile.

Nov 30, 2006

Dear Friends,This week we share a dharma talk that our teacher Thay gave in Plum Village on October 29, 2006, shortly before the recent U.S. elections. It offers a deep view into both the nature of our current world situation and the nature of this path of practice.Thay Phap Tri hosts.

Nov 22, 2006

Dear Friends,This week we have our monthly question and answer session with two monks recently arrived from Plum Village, Thay Phap Lai and Thay Phap Thanh (right.) Sister Susan also joins us to answer a number of questions sent to us via e-mail in the past few weeks. Brother Stream moderates.Enjoy.

Nov 15, 2006

Dear Friends,This week we offer the orientation given on the first night of the recent Retreat for College Students at Deer Park. Sister Thuan Nghiem (Harmony, right) and Brother Phap Luu (Stream) cover the basic practices of mindful breathing, sitting and walking, in addition to sharing from their own experiences in college. This talk is a good introduction to the fundamental practices of the Plum Village tradition.Please enjoy this offering, and thank you for your comments and feedback.

Nov 7, 2006

Dear Friends,This week we publish one of the talks from our recent college retreat. Our abbot Thay Phap Dung speaks about his own path of practice, and what it means to bring meditation into our lives. Brother Phap Huu hosts.May you be well.

Nov 1, 2006

Dear Friends, This week's edition of the Dharmacast includes an introduction to the practice of walking meditation offered by Sister Chau Nghiem (Jewel) and a session of evening chanting led by Br. Phap Khoi. Br. Phap De hosts this Halloween broadcast. May you touch peace and solidity with each step.

Oct 22, 2006

Dear Friends,This week we are happy to share with you a question and answer session that we participated in this past Thursday afternoon in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall here at Deer Park. Brother Stream hosts, and Thay Abbot Brother Phap Dung (see photo), Brother Phap Ho, Sisters Chau Nghiem and Viet Nghiem answer questions posed over e-mail to the monks and nuns. We ended spontaneously with the song, The Island Within.If you would like to send in a question for an upcoming Q&A session, feel free to write us at dpcast@gmail.com. All names are kept confidential.Enjoy the brisk autumn air.

Oct 15, 2006

This week Brother Stream interviews Thay Phap Dang, a Dharma Teacher and the Abbot of Maple Forest Monastery in Vermont. Thay Phap Dang was invited by the Deer Park Sangha along with Thay Vo Ngai to support us during the recent Vietnamese Retreat. He shares about his life and practice as a monk of 17 years, about his experiences teaching in Vietnam , and also shares a song, "Close to Thay." The broadcast ends with the flute solo, "Song for the Buddha," by the Basque musician Laurent Bernays, from the Refuge Tree CD . May you be well.

Oct 10, 2006

This week Brother Phap Luu offers readings of two sutras on mindful breathing translated from Chinese by our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. These sutras were the main texts used during the 21-day retreat this past June entitled "The Breath of the Buddha." Included as well are some recent news items from Deer Park, and a brief introduction to sitting meditation. We look forward to a Question and Answer session to take place in the coming week, so please e-mail us any questions you may have about the practice of mindfulness in daily life. A panel of monks and nuns will share based on these questions. You may also put a question in the comments to this week's show. A PDF of Sutra 803 is available here , and of Sutra 810 here . The Chinese texts with Pinyin and Sino-Vietnamese are available here (803) and here (810). May you breathe in peace.

Oct 3, 2006

In this talk from Plum Village on 01 Oct 2006, Thay investigates the true nature of power in the light of the Buddha's teaching, and he describes how we may realize this power in our present-day lives. Also: what are the powers of a true teacher?

Oct 3, 2006

A two part release, in this talk from Plum Village on 01 Oct 2006, Thay investigates the true nature of power in the light of the Buddha's teaching, and he describes how we may realize this power in our present-day lives. Also: what are the powers of a true teacher?

Oct 1, 2006

Tree Meditation is the title of a song from the album Refuge Tree. Please enjoy, the whole album can be purchased at the Unified Buddhist Church Gateway . To find more information about the singer please visit Joe Reilly's webpage .We have a week left before Thay speaks to UNESCO (Oct 7th, 2006), We can use all the help we can get to spread spread the word far and wide. Lyrics to Tree Meditation No Car Day petition UBC Gateway A Lotus for You,Michael Nguyen

Sep 25, 2006

Another gift from the hidden mountains of Escondido, CA. This time we can enjoy a talk from Sister Chau Nghiem (Jewel) which she gave on the first full day of the POC Retreat.I was surprised by words of thanks I recieved this past weekend. It gave me a warm feeling. In the mist of our busy schedules we might forget to say a few words of gratitude which can make someone's day. Lets try this one and remember to use it now and again.I know you are there and I am happyPlease enjoy our podcast!A Lotus for You,Michael Nguyen

Sep 25, 2006

We need your help, we have until October 7th to get more than 10,000 people to sign and support the No Car Day initative! Please pass this message the world over by sending the following link to as many people as you can. http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/petition/index.html CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION! Lets do what we can to make a difference.Thay talks about No Car Day in this embedded video: A Lotus for You,Michael Nguyen

Sep 17, 2006

Embedded Video of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh Order DVD from UBC Gateway Watch More TNH from Google Video 3 post in a day, I hope you enjoy.A Lotus for You,Michael Nguyen

Sep 17, 2006

A little treat for the e-community. Laura Hunter, a regular at DP loves this song and I thought it would be a nice gift. If you have attended a retreat hosted by the Plum Village Sangha then you should be familar with this song. For those who haven't, I am sure you will enjoy this treat!You can order the full album "A Basket of Plums" from the UBC Gateway .A Lotus for You,Michael Nguyen

Sep 17, 2006

Did we keep you waiting? Here is the 2nd installment of the Soul of Gratitude retreat: the practice of Touching the Earth. Brother Larry Ward gives the introduction, and he is joined in the readings by Brother Phap Khoi (right), Sister Chau Nghiem (Jewel) and Sister Susan. This show is hosted by Brother Phap Ho. Friend of DP, Michael Nguyen

Sep 10, 2006

It has only been a week since our first DPCast but it feels as though Deer Park has been apart of my life forever. We have had some wonderful feedback from the e-community and we have read every word! Thank you so much for such encouraging e-mails and comments.Not to keep you, our second DPCast is hosted by Sister Jewel. This is the talk the Dharma Teacher Larry Ward offered on the third day of the retreat. I haven't listened to it yet, so lets breathe in together, breathe out together and enjoy this wonderful gift from the Hidden Mountains of Escondido, CA.Be sure to check the Deer Park website for more information about living in the present moment.Friend of DP,Michael Nguyen

Sep 4, 2006

Seven years ago the Deer Park Dharma Cast first started. Here is the initial episode, a hidden treasure brought to light again. This is our first attempt, please give us feedback so we can improve upon what we offer to you and the e-community. Brother Phap Luu chants the morning chant, and Brother Phap De (right) offers a guided meditation. In our first dpcast you'll find some chanting, sutra reading, etc... just give it a go. To find out more information about Deer Park Monastery itself please visit the following link. Deer Park Monastery Website For a pdf file of the sutra that is read on the dpcast you can download it by following this link. Chanting P Download Friend of DP, Michael Nguyen