New York City Honors Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh with Street Co-Naming

New York City, April 11, 2025 – In the gentle spring drizzle and slightly chilly weather, New York City officially inaugurated "Thích Nhất Hạnh Way" at the intersection of Broadway and West 109th Street, honoring the globally revered Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh. A Vietnamese poet, author, monk, and peace activist, Thích Nhất Hạnh is widely recognized as the "father of mindfulness" for introducing the…

https://deerparkmonastery.org/general/new-york-city-honors-zen-master-thich-nhat-hanh-with-street-co-naming/

Happy Farm Update: The Joys of Mindful Farming

Join Our Happy Farm Community We are delighted to share that our first Happy Farm event, "Nourish the Soil," was a tremendous success! With over 60 participants, we came together as a community to clear brush, protect native species and habitat, and add compost to the soil. The day was filled with mindful work, joyful connection, and a beautiful community meal.

https://deerparkmonastery.org/announcement/happy-farm-update-the-joys-of-mindful-farming/

Deepen Your Practice: Metta/Love Meditation

In his book Happiness, Thay writes about how we can practice loving kindness through Metta meditation: To love is, first of all, to accept ourselves as we actually are. That is why in this Love Meditation, "Knowing Thyself" is the first practice of love. When we practice this, we see the conditions that have caused us to be the way we are.

https://deerparkmonastery.org/dharma/deepen-your-practice-metta-love-meditation/

Love Letter: A Stranger No More

Love Letter to Deer Park In harmony with Thay’s practice of writing love letters to share gratitude, love, and peace with those around him, we asked practitioners to write love letters to Deer Park describing what it means to them. Please enjoy this monthly feature. The Deer Park monastics are truly grateful for the energy and commitment of the lay sangha as well. 

https://deerparkmonastery.org/general/love-letter-a-stranger-no-more/

My First Tết at Deer Park Monastery

My First Tết at Deer Park Monastery By Sarah Lane The monastery is eerily quiet today, after a week of festivities, firecrackers, and friends visiting to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tết). Leftover candies and treats from visitors hoard the dining hall tables and I am reminded of the generosity and goodwill shared amongst monastics and lay friends on this peaceful celebration of new beginnings.

https://deerparkmonastery.org/personal-story/my-first-tet-at-deer-park-monastery/

Happy Farm Update: Join Us in Building the Community

Dear Friends, Since announcing our Happy Farm initiative, we have been touched by the enthusiasm and support from our community. As we prepare to begin this beautiful journey, we welcome you to participate in bringing the Happy Farm to life: Community Day: Nourish the Soil March 8, 2025, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST Join us for a special morning of mindful service as we prepare the soil that will nurture our future farm.

https://deerparkmonastery.org/announcement/happy-farm-update-join-us-in-building-the-community/

How Do I Love Thee: a Poem for Deer Park

Love Letter to Deer Park In harmony with Thay’s practice of writing love letters to share gratitude, love, and peace with those around him, we asked practitioners to write love letters to Deer Park describing what it means to them. Please enjoy this monthly feature. The Deer Park monastics are truly grateful for the energy and commitment of the lay sangha as well.

https://deerparkmonastery.org/love-letters/how-do-i-love-thee-a-poem-for-deer-park/

Deepen Your Practice: Waking Up

In his book Happiness, Thay writes about how we can recite a gatha when we first arise every morning to set the tone for our day. This is what he says: We can start our day with the happiness of a smile and the aspiration to dedicate ourselves to the path of love and understanding. We are aware that today is a fresh, new day, and we have twenty-four precious hours to live.

https://deerparkmonastery.org/dharma/deepen-your-practice-waking-up/

A Joyful Beginning: The Happy Farm at Deer Park Monastery

Dear Friends, As we step into the New Year we are happy to share some wonderful news: the establishment of the Happy Farm at Deer Park Monastery, a continuation of the beautiful tradition of Happy Farms in Plum Village, France. This initiative is a manifestation of our aspiration to live in harmony with Mother Earth, nourish sustainable agriculture, and cultivate mindfulness practice in our daily life around the…

https://deerparkmonastery.org/announcement/a-joyful-beginning-the-happy-farm-at-deer-park-monastery/

A Message of Gratitude to the Supporters of the New Monks Residence

Dear Beloved Friends of Deer Park, Happy Lunar New Year of the Snake! How auspicious for Deer Park - a transformative year to shed the old and begin anew. May Mother Nature find a cool and healing respite from human activity in this new chapter, as we did during the Covid year. We send our peace and compassion to all the people who have experienced or are experiencing violence and war, wildfire and…

https://deerparkmonastery.org/announcement/a-message-of-gratitude-to-the-supporters-of-the-new-monks-residence/