The Plum Village Tradition

The Plum Village Tradition is a school of Buddhism named after the Plum Village Monastery in France, the first monastic practice center founded by Thích Nhất Hạnh, Chân Không, and other members of the Order of Interbeing. It represents an approach to Engaged Buddhism from a Mahayana perspective, drawing elements from Thiền, Zen, and Pure Land traditions.

It emphasizes Engaged Buddhism — focused on improving lives and reducing suffering — and is considered a form of applied Buddhism: a way of acting, working, and being. The tradition integrates mindfulness into daily activities such as sitting, walking, eating, speaking, listening, and working, guided by the "five mindfulness trainings" that bring ethical and spiritual depth to decision-making.

History

The Plum Village tradition grew out of the teachings and community work of Thích Nhất Hạnh and Chân Không. Rooted in Vietnamese monasticism, it was shaped by 20th-century reform movements and the turmoil of the Vietnam War. During the war, they co-founded the School of Youth for Social Service (SYSS), a corps of 10,000 Buddhist peace workers who provided education, healthcare, and village reconstruction.

From this movement came the Order of Interbeing — a modern reimagining of the bodhisattva vows — emphasizing non-attachment to views, direct insight, and compassion in action. Exiled from Vietnam for neutrality during the war, Thích Nhất Hạnh and Chân Không established communities abroad, including the Sweet Potatoes Meditation Centre, and later Plum Village in southern France.

Named for its thousand plum trees, Plum Village became a refuge for Vietnamese exiles and a hub for global practitioners, blending traditional monastic practice with accessibility for laypeople. Over time, the tradition expanded across continents, maintaining equality between monastic and lay practice, and emphasizing mindfulness in all aspects of daily life.

Core Tenets

The Plum Village Dharma Seals include:

  • "I have arrived, I am at home" – finding peace in the present moment.
  • "Go as a river" – moving in harmony with community.
  • "The times and the truths inter-are" – acknowledging interdependence of time and truth.
  • "Ripening, moment-by-moment" – living in continuous growth and awakening.

The 40 Tenets summarize teachings on impermanence, interbeing, and nirvāṇa — not as escape, but as the true nature of all things. Liberation arises through mindfulness, concentration, and insight, transforming suffering into understanding. Every being carries Buddha-nature; enlightenment unfolds by recognizing the interconnectedness of all phenomena.

Key Concepts

Interbeing

Coined by Thích Nhất Hạnh, “Interbeing” expresses that nothing exists in isolation — everything is composed of non-self elements. A flower contains sunlight, rain, and earth; remove these, and the flower disappears. This view dissolves the illusion of separateness and invites compassion rooted in shared existence.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment — a living energy cultivated through breathing, walking, speaking, and working. It is not a tool for achievement, but a path of liberation and ethical living. Mindfulness in Plum Village connects directly to the Eightfold Path, emphasizing love, community, and responsibility.

Engaged Buddhism

Engaged Buddhism applies wisdom and compassion to real-world suffering. Thích Nhất Hạnh insisted meditation and social action are one — to build peace, feed the hungry, and protect the Earth while breathing mindfully.

Five Mindfulness Trainings

  1. Reverence for Life: Cultivate compassion; protect all beings.
  2. True Happiness: See that joy is impossible without understanding and love.
  3. True Love: Practice non-attachment, respect, and understanding.
  4. Loving Speech and Listening: Speak with kindness, listen deeply.
  5. Nourishment and Healing: Consume mindfully; avoid harmful inputs.

Mindfulness Practices

Core practices include sitting and walking meditation, mindful breathing, eating, resting, and deep relaxation. Plum Village also offers community-based rituals — dharma sharing, tea meditation, and “Touching the Earth” — to nurture connection, gratitude, and healing.

Texts & Dharma Transmission

Influenced by core sutras like the Anapanasati and Satipatthana, the tradition is expressed through Thích Nhất Hạnh’s writings: The Miracle of Mindfulness, Peace Is Every Step, No Mud, No Lotus, and Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Dharma transmission continues through lamp ceremonies, symbolizing continuation of the lineage as a flowing river, not isolated drops.

Plum Village Locations

Founded in 1982 in the Dordogne region of France, Plum Village spans several hamlets: Upper Hamlet, Lower Hamlet, and New Hamlet. It has since grown into a global network with monasteries across three continents and thousands of lay sanghas. The Order of Interbeing and Wake Up Schools extend its reach to youth and educators.

Culture & Influence

The Plum Village tradition unites ancient practice with modern life — blending mindfulness, ethics, ecology, and interfaith understanding. It emphasizes simplicity, loving-kindness, non-violence, and collective awakening, nurturing a global community of engaged practitioners devoted to healing themselves and the Earth.