By VAN TUYET ANH LE

My main intention was to visit my family in Vietnam. I had not planned to attend the third memorial retreat and ceremony marking the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) on January 18 at Tu Hieu Pagoda, his root temple in Hue Province. But my roommate's mom, who is a sangha member there, encouraged me to participate.

My approach was to relax and embrace the spiritual atmosphere. I believe the best way to cultivate deep awareness of the miracles around me is through relaxation and mindfulness. With this intention, I was able to open my heart, practice kindness, and connect with sangha members from different backgrounds.Above, Le visits Thay's "Breathing Room" at his root temple, Tu Hieu, in Hue, Vietnam.

The ceremony was held over three days. Centered around the retreat’s theme, “Sangha Gathering,” I experienced a timeless and spaceless environment filled with love. I felt as though I were one of Thay’s students, walking peacefully among a community of his spiritual descendants toward my true home and the roots of awakening.

This retreat marked my first experience practicing Buddhism in Vietnam, having begun my practice in America. Initially,I felt like a fish in a new pond. However, my ability to learn Buddhism in both Vietnamese and English enabled me to connect deeply with sanghas from around the world. The retreat hosted approximately 200 monks and nuns from the Plum Village tradition, alongside 500 practitioners. Due to limited accommodations, most participants stayed in nearby Airbnbs.

Above, Thay's calligraphy desk is set up at Tu Hieu Temple.

At the retreat, I was touched by the connection among sangha groups across Vietnam, such as HCMC’s Moonlight Sangha (Tăng Thân Trăng Rằm), Hanoi’s Morning Star Sangha (Tăng Thân Sao Mai), and Hue Sangha. Thay’s teaching of Tình Huynh Đệ (brotherhood) resonated deeply, as the care and compassion shared among participants turned every step in Thay’s home into a practice of mindfulness.

The retreat provided an opportunity to learn about the Vietnam War and the challenges Thay and his students faced during that time. I also gained insight into the efforts of the first and younger sangha generations to bridge the gap created during Thay’s years in exile, reflecting their dedication to practicing mindfulness in education, business, family and relationships.

Thay's living room at Tu Hieu Temple.

Practitioners shared their aspirations to incorporate mindfulness into workplaces and to reform Vietnam’s education system by fostering kindness and compassion. Mrs. Hang, a representative of Plum Village’s Wake-Up School, emphasized that true transformation begins with cultivating love and inclusiveness within ourselves. She stressed that such changes, starting with teachers, are essential for inspiring broader societal shifts.

Additionally, I cherished hearing personal stories from Thay’s students about his teachings, daily routines, and hobbies. Brother Pháp Niệm shared that while Thay was often seen as gentle and soft, he could also be firm when needed.

This retreat deepened my respect for Thay and his vision of collective awakening for all beings. His teachings of brotherhood and compassion continue to inspire, transcending generational divides and nurturing a path of mindfulness for the future.

What I feel most strongly after the retreat is a deeper faith in the path. As Thay said, "Happiness is the way," and I am now even more convinced of my understanding of true happiness. The path is already within me; I just need to remain calm, relax, walk peacefully with each step, and bring love both to myself and those around me.

Van Tuyet Anh Le of Tampa, who is Vietnamese, began studying abroad at the University of South Florida in 2022. She discovered FCM through its website and has been practicing as an FCM member for the past seven months. She is a vegetarian, and her hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with friends. One thing that often stands out about her is her smile and her dedication to the spiritual path.