About Us

Founded in 1998, the Honolulu Mindfulness Community started with a group of lay friends seeking to meet regularly for meditation practice developed by the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022). Addressed simply as Thay (Vietnamese word for “teacher”) he was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, scholar, writer and poet well known for his mindfulness approach to meditation which made it simple, pragmatic and yet transformative. Further, he developed an engaged Buddhist social activism during the Vietnam War in the 1960-70s that caused his exile from his homeland. Thay made his home in the countryside of southwestern France on farmlands that he called Plum Village. We now refer to Thay’s practices as in the Plum Village tradition. These include guided and silent sitting meditation, mindful walking, dharma sharing, occasional singing, instructions on mindful eating and tea meditation. Since his passing in January 2022, we continue in this tradition, emphasizing stopping, breathing, smiling and returning to life in the present moment. Please join us.
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