Order of Interbeing at Kingfisher Sangha

The Order of Interbeing, Tiep Hien in Vietnamese, is an international community of monastics and lay people who have committed to living their lives in accordance with the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, a distillation of the Bodhisattva (Enlightened Being) teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Established by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh in Saigon in 1966, the Order of Interbeing (OI) was founded in the Linji tradition of Buddhist meditative practice and emphasizes the Four Spirits: non-attachment from views, direct experimentation on the nature of interdependent origination through meditation, appropriateness, and skillful means.

The Order of Interbeing calls members to work throughout their lives with the vows they take when receiving the transmission of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings (see below). And while OI members commit to wholeheartedly practicing the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, their primary responsibility is Sangha building. As Thay taught us, “Sangha building is the most novel task.” So joining the OI is a commitment to joyfully take on the many tasks required to nourish a harmonious Sangha. These responsibilities include facilitating sits, days of mindfulness, community meetings and ceremonies, being available to brothers and sisters who have questions, facilitating Sangha-wide communications, attending OI meetings, and eventually mentoring OI aspirants. Order membership is only one path of practice and should not be seen in a hierarchical manner. It should not be thought of as proof of one’s spiritual depth, but rather a commitment to the Bodhisattva path. This highest of aspirations is available to all practitioners in the extended, multi-fold community.

The Sangha community regularly welcomes aspirants to the Order so they can discern whether this is their path of practice and service. If you are interested in becoming an aspirant after receiving transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings and participating regularly in Kingfisher sits, please
contact Starr (starrregan@aol.com), or Tamara (tcgeveci@gmail.com).

Here are the current Kingfisher Sangha OI members with their true names and dates of ordination.

• Starr Regan DiCiurcio, True Understanding of the Sangha, August 15, 2003
• Linda Anderson, True Path of Peace, August 15, 2005
• Tamara Geveci, True Precious Energy, August 29, 2013
• Dee Marfe, True Awakening of Peace, April 24, 2016
• Brett Bartow, True Continuation of Community, June 27, 2021
• Melissa Devine, True Stream of Wholesomenesss, May 1, 2022

 

The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings

The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are the very essence of the Order of Interbeing. They are the torch lighting our path, the boat carrying us, the teacher guiding us. They allow us to touch the nature of interbeing in everything that is, and to see that our happiness is not separate from the happiness of others. Interbeing is not a theory; it is a reality that can be directly experienced by each of us at any moment in our daily lives. The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings help us cultivate concentration and insight which free us from fear and the illusion of a separate self.

The First Mindfulness Training: Openness

Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. We are committed to seeing the Buddhist teachings as a guiding means that help us learn to look deeply and develop understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for. We understand that fanaticism in its many forms is the result of perceiving things in a dualistic or discriminative manner. We will train ourselves to look at everything with openness and the insight of interbeing in order to transform dogmatism and violence in ourselves and the world.

The Second Mindfulness Training: Non-Attachment to Views

Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We are committed to learning and practicing non-attachment to views and being open to others’ experiences and insights in order to benefit from the collective wisdom. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Insight is revealed through the practice of compassionate listening, deep looking, and letting go of notions rather than through the accumulation of intellectual knowledge. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.

The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought

Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are determined not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever — such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination — to adopt our views. We are committed to respecting the
right of others to be different, to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, learn to help others let go of and transform fanaticism and narrowness through loving speech and compassionate dialogue.

The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Awareness of Suffering

Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop understanding and compassion, we are determined to come home to ourselves, to recognise, accept, embrace and listen to our own suffering with the energy of mindfulness. We will do our best not to run away from our suffering or cover it up through consumption, but practice conscious breathing and walking to look deeply into the roots of our suffering. We know we can realise the path leading to the transformation of suffering only when we understand deeply the roots of suffering. Once we have understood our own suffering, we will be able to understand the suffering of others. We are committed to finding ways, including personal contact and using telephone, electronic, audiovisual, and other means, to be with those who suffer, so we can help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy.

The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Compassionate, Healthy Living

Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and compassion, we are determined not to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying nor to take as the aim of our life fame, power, wealth, or sensual pleasure, which can bring much suffering and despair. We will practice looking deeply into how we nourish our body and mind with edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness. We are committed not to gamble or to use alcohol, drugs or any other products which bring toxins into our own and the collective body and consciousness such as certain websites, electronic games, music, TV programs, films, magazines, books and conversations. We will consume in a way that preserves compassion, wellbeing, and joy in our bodies and consciousness and in the collective body and consciousness of our families, our society, and the earth.

The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Taking Care of Anger

Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are committed to taking care of the energy of anger when it arises, and to recognising and transforming the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger manifests, we are determined not to do or say
anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking to acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We know that the roots of anger are not outside of ourselves but can be found in our wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in ourselves and others. By contemplating impermanence, we will be able to look with the eyes of compassion at ourselves and at those we think are the cause of our anger, and to recognise the preciousness of our relationships. We will practice Right Diligence in order to nourish our capacity of understanding, love, joy and inclusiveness, gradually transforming our anger, violence and fear, and helping others do the same.

The Seventh Mindfulness Training: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment

Aware that life is available only in the present moment, we are committed to training ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the present. We will practice mindful breathing to be aware of what is happening in the here and the now. We are determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that are inside and around us, in all situations. In this way, we will be able to cultivate seeds of joy, peace, love, and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in our consciousness. We are aware that real
happiness depends primarily on our mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that we can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that we already have more than enough conditions to be happy.

The Eighth Mindfulness Training: True Community and Communication

Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering, we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate listening and loving speech. Knowing that true community is rooted in inclusiveness and in the concrete practice of the harmony of views, thinking, and speech, we will practice to share our understanding and experiences with members in our community in order to arrive at collective insight. We are determined to learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting, and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community to break. Whenever difficulties arise, we will remain in our Sangha and practice looking deeply into ourselves and others to recognise all the causes and conditions, including our own habit energies, that have brought about the difficulties. We will take responsibility for all the ways we may have contributed to the conflict and keep communication open. We will not behave as a victim but be active in finding ways to reconcile and resolve all conflicts however small.

The Ninth Mindfulness Training: Truthful and Loving Speech

Aware that words can create happiness or suffering, we are committed to learning to speak truthfully, lovingly and constructively. We will use only words that inspire joy, confidence and hope as well as promote reconciliation and peace in ourselves and among other people. We will speak and listen in a way that can help ourselves and others to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations. We are determined not to say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to utter words that might cause division or hatred. We will protect the happiness and harmony of our Sangha by refraining from speaking about the faults of other persons in their absence and always ask ourselves whether our perceptions are correct. We will speak only with the intention to understand and help transform the situation. We will not spread rumours nor criticise or condemn things of which we are not sure. We will do our best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may make difficulties for us or threaten our safety.

The Tenth Mindfulness Training: Protecting and Nourishing the Sangha

Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of understanding and compassion, we are determined not to use the Buddhist community for personal power or profit, or transform our community into a political instrument. As members of a spiritual community, we should nonetheless take a clear stand against oppression and injustice. We should strive to change the situation, without taking sides in a conflict. We are committed to learning to look with the eyes of interbeing and to see ourselves and others as cells in one Sangha body. As a true cell in the Sangha body, generating mindfulness, concentration, and insight to nourish ourselves and the whole community, each of us is at the same time a cell in the Buddha body. We will actively build brotherhood and sisterhood, flow as a river, and practice to develop the three real powers – understanding, love, and cutting through afflictions – to realise collective awakening.

The Eleventh Mindfulness Training: Right Livelihood

Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment and society, we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that contributes to the wellbeing of all species on earth and helps realise our ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of economic, political, and social realities around the world, as well as our interrelationship with the ecosystem, we are determined to behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens. We will not invest in or purchase from companies that contribute to the depletion of natural resources, harm the earth, or deprive others of their chance to live.

The Twelfth Mindfulness Training: Reverence for Life

Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are determined to cultivate nonviolence, compassion, and the insight of interbeing in our daily lives and promote peace education, mindful mediation, and reconciliation within families, communities, ethnic and religious groups, nations, and in the world. We are committed not to kill and not to let others kill. We will not support any act of killing in the world, in our thinking, or in our way of life. We will diligently practice deep looking with our Sangha to discover better ways to protect life, prevent war, and build peace.

The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, we are committed to cultivating generosity in our way of thinking, speaking, and acting. We will practice loving kindness by working for the happiness of people, animals, plants, and minerals, and sharing our time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. We are determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. We will respect the property of others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.

The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training: True Love

[For lay members]: Aware that sexual desire is not love and that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot dissipate the feeling of loneliness but will create more suffering, frustration, and isolation, we are determined not to engage in sexual relations without mutual understanding, love, and a deep long-term commitment. We resolve to find spiritual support for the integrity of our relationships from family members, friends, and sangha with whom there is support and trust. We know that to preserve the happiness of ourselves and others, we must respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and others. Recognizing the diversity of human experience, we are committed not to discriminate against any form of gender identity or sexual orientation. Seeing that body and mind are interrelated, we are committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of our sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy, and inclusiveness for our own happiness and the happiness of others. We must be aware of future suffering that may be caused by sexual relations. We will treat our bodies with compassion and respect. We are determined to look deeply into the Four Nutriments and learn ways to preserve and channel our vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal. We will do everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. We will be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world, and will meditate regularly upon their future environment.

Kingfisher Sangha Book Club

The Kingfisher Book Club is dedicated to exploring texts relevant to the practice of Buddhism. The Book Club reads Thich Nhat Hanh and other prominent Buddhist teachers such as Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron, Stephen Batchelor, the Dalai Lama, Tara Brach, and Shunryu Zuzuki to name a few.

It is suggested that the Book Club alternate works by Thich Nhat Hanh with works by other teachers, but this is not required. Those attending will set up a schedule of meetings and the times and place(s) of their meetings. This may vary as needed. New books may be proposed by those who are willing to be a facilitator of the gatherings. The facilitator will be stable in the practice and a dedicated Sangha brother or sister.

Please note, if one commits to reading a book (and attending the Sangha Book Club), it is expected that he/she will complete the assigned reading prior to the meeting and attend all the meetings–as far as possible. When a new text is begum, the Sangha will be notified so anyone interested in a work has an opportunity to participate. Notifications typically happen via our emailed Bi-Monthly Message. Use our Contact Form and request to join our email list if you are interested!

Participants are expected to purchase their own copies of the books. A limited selection is available through the Sangha library. These libraries are available at all of the local Sits, and if there’s something you are looking for that isn’t in the library, there may be another location that has it in their library. Just ask a facilitator!

For more information about the Kingfisher Sangha Book Club, contact Linda A.

Books previously discussed by Kingfisher Sangha Book Club

• The Art of Communicating. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne, 2013.
• Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press, 2006.
• The Eight Realizations of Great Beings. By Brother Phap Hai. Parallax Press. 2021.
• Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2021.
• The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness. By Yongey Mingyur Rinpche. Harmony. 2008.
• The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2017.
• The Zen of Living and Dying: A Practical and Spiritual Guide. By Philip Kapleau. Shambhala. 1998.
• True Virtue: The Journey of an English Buddhist Nun. By Sister Annabel Laity. Parallax Press. 2019.
• Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change. By Pema Chodron. Shambhala. 2019.
• Old Paths White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha. By Thich Nhaht Hanh. Parallax Press. 1987.
• In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey through the Bardos of Living and Dying. By Youngey Mingyur Rinpoche. Spiegel & Grau. 2019.
• Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise. By Thich Nhaht Hanh. HarperCollins. 2015.
• A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life. By Jack Kornfield. Bantam. 2009.
• Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Harmony. 1994.
• Being Upright: Zen Meditation and Bodhisattva Precepts. By Reb Anderson. Shambhala. 2016.
• The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2006.
• After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age. By Stephen Batchelor. Yale University Press. 2015.
• Franny and Zooey. By J.D. Salinger. Little, Brown & Company. 2019.
• Nothing To It: Ten Ways to Be At Home with Yourself. By Brother Phap Hai. Parallax Press. 2015.
• Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice. By Shunryu Suzuki. Shambhala. 2010.
• At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk’s Life. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2016.
• Time to Stand Up: An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth–The Buddha’s Life and Message through Feminine Eyes (Sacred Activism Book 11). By Thanissara. North Atlantic Books. 2015.
• Living Buddha/Living Christ. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Riverhead Books. 2007. (20th Anniversary Edition)
• The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times. By Pema Chodron. Shambhala. 2002.
• Inside the Now: Meditations on Time. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2015.
• The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology. By Jack Kornfield. Bantam. 2008.

The Care Taking Council (CTC) of Kingfisher Sangha

The Care Taking Council of Kingfisher Sangha is established for the following purposes:

 

• Making all necessary decisions to facilitate the smooth functioning of the Sangha, including planning events, managing finances and establishing policies.
• Assuring that the Sangha is living in accordance with the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the larger Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism. 
• Coordinating the five branches of the Sangha: Kingfisher South, Kingfisher East, Kingfisher North, Kingfisher Sun, and Kingfisher Village.
• Ensuring that Sangha functions and responsibilities flow from a committed, broad representation of Sangha participants. 

The governing structure consists of two parts:

 

1. The Care Taking Council is comprised of 12 members:  1 representative from each branch of the Sangha, all Order of Interbeing members and aspirants to the Order, and at-large members.  Brothers and sisters of the Sangha are encouraged to apply in writing to participate.The initial group was designated by OI members and going forward the CTC selects replacements as people resign.  Selection encourages diversity in representation.  A CTC member who can’t attend any meeting is strongly encouraged to designate a substitute to attend the meeting in his/her place.

 

2. The CTC meets at Community Meetings 4-6 times a year, every 2–3 months.  A quorum is constituted by 6 members of the CTC, (or a CTC member’s designated substitute). 

All Community Meetings are open to everyone in the Sangha. You do not need to be a member of the CTC to attend a Community Meeting. Decisions are made by consensus of the entire community present at any Community Meeting.  

An agenda is sent to the Sangha two weeks in advance.  Anyone may submit an agenda item.   If there are no agenda items, no meeting will be called.  Facilitating the meetings, including scheduling reminders, will rotate among volunteers.  

In the case of a sensitive issue arising, the CTC is permitted to meet outside the Sangha community meeting format in order to protect the safety of all Sangha members.  Also, in case of an emergency issue, the CTC may call a meeting outside the regular schedule of meetings and without the two-week notice of agenda items.   

Current CTC Members (as of 2024):

• Starr D (OI)
• Tamara G (OI)
• Dee M (OI)
• Brett B (OI)
• Melissa D (OI)
• Linda A (OI)
• David P (Aspirant)
• Trisha C
• Dorothy V (Treasurer)
• Shannon S

 

Do you wish to formally join the CTC? Please fill out this one-page form which can be found here and email it to Tamara.

Online Dharma Resources

• Plum Village Online Monastery Resources
• Plum Village Facebook Page
• Thich Nhat Hanh Dharma Talks
• Deer Park DharmaCast

Book & Magazine Resources

• Mindfulness Bell Magazine

Books by Thich Nhat Hanh

• Vietnam: Lotus In a Sea of Fire. Thich Nhat Hanh. New York, Hill and Wang. 1967.
• Being Peace. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1987.
• The Sun My Heart. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1988.
• Our Appointment with Life: Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1990.
• The Miracle of Mindfulness. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1991.
• Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1991.
• Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Bantam reissue. 1992.
• The Diamond that Cuts Through Illusion: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Diamond Sutra. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1992.
• Hermitage Among the Clouds. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 1993.
• Transformation and Healing: The Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Rider & co. 1993.
• Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Harmony. 1994.
• Cultivating the Mind of Love. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Full Circle. 1996.
• The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Full Circle. 1997.
• Transformation and Healing: Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Full Circle. 1997
• Living Buddha, Living Christ. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Riverhead Trade. 1997.
• True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Shambhala Publications. 1997.
• Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals, 1962-1966. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Riverhead Trade. 1999.
• Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Riverhead Books. 1999.
• The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Broadway Books. 1999.
• The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Beacon Press. 1999.
• The Raft Is Not the Shore: Conversations Toward a Buddhist/Christian Awareness. By Thich Nhat Hanh and Daniel Berrigan (co-author). Orbis Books. 2000.
• The Path of Emancipation: Talks from a 21-Day Mindfulness Retreat. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Unified Buddhist Church. 2000.
• A Pebble in Your Pocket. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Full Circle Publishing. 2001.
• Thich Nhat Hanh: Essential Writings. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Robert Ellsberg (editor). Orbis Books. 2001.
• Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Riverhead Trade. 2002.
• Be Free Where You Are. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2002.
• No Death, No Fear. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Riverhead Trade reissue. 2003.
• Touching the Earth: Intimate Conversations with the Buddha. By Thich Nhat Hanh.  Parallax Press. 2004.
• Teachings on Love. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Full Circle Publishing. 2005.
• Hermit and the Well. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2005.
• Understanding Our Mind. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperCollins. 2006.
• Buddha Mind, Buddha Body: Walking Toward Enlightenment. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2007.
• The Art of Power. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2007.
• Under the Banyan Tree. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Full Circle Publishing. 2008.
• Mindful Movements: Ten Exercises for Well-Being. By Thich Nhat Hanh.  Parallax Press. 2008.
• The Blooming of a Lotus. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Beacon Press. 2009.
• Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2010.
• Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2010.
• You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Shambhala Publications. 2010.
• A Pebble for Your Pocket. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2010.
• The Novice: A Story of True Love. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperCollins. 2011.
• Your True Home: The Everyday Wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Shambhala Publications. 2011.
• Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2012.
• The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Shambhala Pocket Classics. 2012.
• Love Letter to the Earth. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2012.
• The Art of Communicating. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2013.
• How to Sit. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2014.
• How to Eat. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2014.
• No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2014.
• How to Love. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2014.
• Is Nothing Something? Kids’ Questions and Zen Answers about Life, Death, Family, Friendship, and Everything In Between. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2014.
• Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise. By Thich Nhat Hanh.  HarperOne. 2015.
• How to Relax. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2015.
• Old Path, WHite Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2016.
• At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk’s Life. By Thich Nhat Hanh.  With Jason Deantonis (Illustrator). Parallax Press. 2016.
• The Other Shore: A New Translation of the Heart Sutra with Commentaries. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Palm Leaves Press. 2017.
• How to Fight. By Thich Nhat Hanh. Parallax Press. 2017.
• The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2017.
• Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. By Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperOne. 2021.

Local Resources

• Buddhist Action Coalition. Our sangha is pleased to have joined the Buddhist Action Coalition of the Upper Hudson Valley-Taconic Hills-Berkshires. Please visit their website to learn how to engage with our community for social justice.
• Grafton Peace Pagoda. The Peace Pagoda is located in Grafton, NY. It is physically a place of peace and is a spiritual retreat center. The Pagoda holds regular events, including daily prayer services and three major events every year. You can come anytime to visit the Pagoda, walk the grounds, and experience the beauty of the area.
• Pumpkin Hollow Retreat Center is located in the Berkshire and Taconic Mountains. The facility offers an unique setting for workshops, retreats, yoga, and meditation. There is a meditation center, meeting room, renovated cabins, a stream, labyrinth, peace prayer pole, meditation walk, and campfire space. Check their website for ongoing events.
• Mountain Laurel Sangha is a sangha that practices in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. They meet twice a week in Great Barrington, MA.