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Monastics
- PeopleVenerable Thích Phước TịnhVenerable Thích Phước Tịnh was born in 1947 in Đồng Tháp, Vietnam. He entered the temple to become a monastic in 1962, ordained as a novice in 1967, and received full ordination in 1972. The Venerable became abbot of Quán Thế Âm temple in Đà Lạt in 1993. In 2001, he was invited by Thay to teach and support the practice at Deer Park Monastery in California, where he continues to reside. The Venerable continues to teach at many temples throughout the USA and Australia. by on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleSister Trung ChínhSister Trung Chính, also known as Sister Abbess, is the eldest nun at Deer Park Monastery. She has been a monastic for over 50 years, having been ordained as a novice in Vietnam in 1973 at the age of 15. Her life has been deeply dedicated to mindfulness practice, service, and community, shaped by her encounters with great Buddhist teachers, including Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh.Born in war-torn Vietnam, she was drawn to Buddhist practice as a child, often joining her grandmother in simple acts of devotion. At the age of 10, she moved to Saigon and came under the guidance of the Most Venerable Nun Hải Triều Âm, a renowned teacher. Inspired by the monastic life, she ordained at 15 and embraced the path with natural ease.In 1975, following the fall of South Vietnam, Buddhism faced severe restrictions under Communist rule. Many monastics, including Sister Trung Chinh, were forced to flee. She escaped Vietnam with a group of monastics and resettled in Switzerland before later moving to France and Australia. Despite the challenges of displacement, she remained steadfast in her practice, seeking refuge in temples wherever she lived.She first met Thầy in 1982 and received a personal letter from him in 1984 inviting her to join Plum Village. At the time, she was managing a temple in Australia and could not immediately accept. However, in 1995, she finally arrived at Plum Village, where she deeply resonated with the way of practice. Unlike traditional temples, where monastics often focus on rituals and ceremonies, Plum Village provided a direct path of mindfulness, simplicity, and community living.Recognizing her qualities, Thầy repeatedly encouraged her to stay, seeing in her a deep kindness and dedication. She recalls his words:
"If someone kind and lovely comes to Plum Village, we must find every way to keep them here."She remained in Plum Village until 2000, when she became one of the pioneering monastics who helped establish Deer Park Monastery in California.Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam and an Australian citizen. She ordained in 1975 in Vietnam, receiving the Dharma name Thiên Chơn and the Dharma title Trung Chính.by on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleSister Tịnh NghiêmA Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from China and a U.S. citizen, born in 1950. She entered monastic training in 1992 at the age of 42 and received the novice precepts on December 31, 1992, at Pháp Vân Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Diệu Hiện and the Dharma title Chân Tịnh Nghiêm. She belongs to the Con Khỉ (Monkey) ordination family.She received full ordination on August 5, 1994, in the Hương Tích Great Ordination Ceremony.She is the 14th disciple of Thầy in the Plum Village lineage, the 43rd generation in the Lâm Tế (Linji) Zen tradition, and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán Dharma branch.by on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleSister Hương NghiêmA Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam and a U.S. citizen, born in 1965. She entered monastic training in 1992 at the age of 27 and received the novice precepts on December 31, 1992, at Pháp Vân Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Diệu Hương and the Dharma title Chân Hương Nghiêm. She belongs to the Con Khỉ (Monkey) ordination family.She received full ordination on August 5, 1994, in the Hương Tích Great Ordination Ceremony.She is the 15th disciple of Thầy in the Plum Village lineage, the 43rd generation in the Lâm Tế (Linji) Zen tradition, and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán Dharma branch.by on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleBrother Pháp HộiBrother Chân Pháp Hội is the eldest monastic brother at Deer Park Monastery, known for his extraordinary journey into monastic life. Born in 1970 into a humble family in Hanoi, his path led him across multiple countries—Czechoslovakia, Germany, and eventually France—where he was ordained at Plum Village in 1996. His life has been marked by resilience in the face of great challenges, including fleeing as a refugee, navigating borders without proper paperwork, and enduring hardships in his search for a spiritual home.Deeply inspired by Thay’s teachings, especially The Miracle of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Hoi discovered his calling to monastic life after attending a Day of Mindfulness in Germany. Since then, his practice has flourished despite many difficulties. He has played a vital role in establishing Deer Park Monastery in the U.S. and supporting the development of Plum Village centers in Thailand and Vietnam, including the historic Bát Nhã Monastery.Brother Phap Hoi’s journey reflects the resilience and strength of the monastic Sangha, particularly during times of persecution and hardship. With deep gratitude for Thay’s inclusive and compassionate vision, he continues to walk the path of transformation and service. For him, the Sangha is a true family, offering a path of love and awakening that he follows wholeheartedly.A Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam, born in 1970. He entered monastic training in 1997 at the age of 27 and received the novice precepts on February 7, 1997, at Pháp Vân Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Thiện Trí and the Dharma title Chân Pháp Hội. He belongs to the Cây Tùng (Pine Tree) ordination family.He received full ordination in 1998 in the Tăng Hội Great Ordination Ceremony.He is the 51st disciple of Thầy in the Plum Village lineage, the 43rd generation in the Lâm Tế (Linji) Zen tradition, and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán Dharma branchby on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleBrother Pháp DungBrother Chân Pháp Dung (Dharma Embrace) was ordained in 1998 as a monk in Plum Village France receiving the Dharma Teacher Lamp from Thầy in 2004. He is the former abbot of Deer Park Monastery in California from 2001 to 2010. He was born in Vietnam in 1969 and escaped as a refugee with his family to the US when he was nine years old. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, studied and received a degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California, and worked as an architect/designer for four years before becoming a monk. Br. Pháp Dung helped to establish Deer Park Monastery and other US centers, creating meditation programs and retreats for children, teens, families, and young adults, as well as planning its halls and infrastructures. He has led mindfulness retreats in North and South America, China, Hong Kong, India, Bhutan, and Germany.A Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam and a U.S. citizen, born in 1969. He entered monastic training in 1997 at the age of 28 and received the novice precepts on February 4, 1998, at Từ Nghiêm Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Hòa Sắc and the Dharma title Chan Phap Dung. He belongs to the Cây Táo (Apple Tree) ordination family.He received full ordination on December 18, 2001, in the Đã Về Đã Tới Great Ordination Ceremonyby on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleSister Kính NghiêmSister Kính Nghiêm is one of the elder sisters at Deer Park Monastery, known for her sharp wit, independent spirit, and style. Born and raised in San Diego, she grew up in a deeply Buddhist household, where her mother, a devoted practitioner, woke the family each morning with the sound of sutra chanting and the rhythmic beat of the fish drum. Her connection to Thay (Thích Nhất Hạnh) began early—her grandmother in Vietnam secretly distributed his books when they were banned, and her mother attended every Vietnamese retreat he offered in the U.S., often bringing along a reluctant young Sister Kinh Nghiêm.Despite her early exposure to Buddhist teachings, she was far more interested in school, friends, and her childhood ambition of becoming a lawyer. However, at the age of 14, everything changed when she attended a Buddhist youth retreat led by Thay. Expecting boredom, she instead found herself captivated by his words, which cut through all distractions and made perfect sense to her. She realized that the teachings held the key to something profound—not just for herself, but for her friends, many of whom were struggling with drugs, depression, and violence. She saw the Dharma as a way to offer them another path.Within weeks of the retreat, Sister Kính Nghiêm had made the radical decision to ordain. Against the expectations of family, friends, and society, she left high school and traveled to Plum Village, France, where she received ordination in 1997, becoming one of the youngest monastics in the community. Over the decades, she has remained steadfast in her practice, navigating the inevitable challenges of monastic life with humor, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.Known affectionately as "Sister Chicken" by children at the monastery, she brings a unique flair to the monastic path—often seen wearing a floppy hat, mirrored sunglasses, and carrying a woven basket. She embodies the teaching that monastic life does not require conformity but rather a deep authenticity. She encourages those interested in monastic life to let go of rigid expectations, embrace the unknown, and take full responsibility for their own journey.A Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam and a U.S. citizen, born in 1983. She entered monastic training in 1997 at the age of 14 and received the novice precepts on February 4, 1998, at Từ Nghiêm Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Phật Chủng and the Dharma title Chân Kính Nghiêm. She belongs to the Cây Táo (Apple Tree) ordination family.She received full ordination on December 18, 2001, in the Kỷ Nguyên Mới (New Era) Great Ordination Ceremony.She is the 64th disciple of Thầy in the Plum Village lineage, the 43rd generation in the Lâm Tế (Linji) Zen tradition, and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán Dharma branch.by on April 1, 2025Read
- PeopleSister Hộ NghiêmA Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, originally from Vietnam and a U.S. citizen, born in 1950. She entered monastic training in 1999 at the age of 49 and received the novice precepts on May 18, 2000, at Từ Nghiêm Temple – Plum Village, with the Dharma name Tâm Huệ and the Dharma title Chân Hộ Nghiêm. She belongs to the Cây Bông Sứ (Frangipani Tree) ordination family.She received full ordination on January 9, 2003, in the Đã Về Đã Tới (I Have Arrived, I Am Home) Great Ordination Ceremony.She is the mother of Thầy Pháp Nguyên and the 105th disciple of Thầy in the Plum Village lineage. She belongs to the 43rd generation in the Lâm Tế (Linji) Zen tradition and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán Dharma branch.by on April 1, 2025Read
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