Dear Beloved Friends,
We hope this message finds you well and grounded in the energy of mindfulness. Here at Deer Park Monastery, spring has graced the hills with gentle blooms, the white sage is budding, and the land is alive with bird song. Each day reminds us of the preciousness of life and the miracle of this present moment.
As Thầy often reminded us, “The next Buddha will be a Sangha.” In these times of great change and challenge, we are called more than ever to live this insight, not as a concept, but as a daily practice of building beloved communities rooted in presence, compassion, and interbeing.
In this spirit, we write to share our continuation of Thầy’s heartfelt aspiration: to bring the Plum Village mindfulness practices into the field of education through the founding of the Thích Nhất Hạnh School of Interbeing.
This is not simply a school with a mission—it is a mission taking the form of a school. An offering that weaves together spiritual practice, holistic education, and deep care for the Earth and for one another. It is born from our collective aspiration to transmit the practice of mindfulness to future generations—not as a lesson plan, but as a lived experience within a loving and inclusive community.
We seek to reimagine school as a place of learning and growth that nurtures the heart and soul of each child, as well as their mind—a true second home where they feel deeply loved and cared for. We envision a sanctuary where children grow up in a field of joy and belonging, where their laughter, struggles, questions, and dreams are honored as sacred. A school that feels like home, not built on competition or conformity, but on presence, understanding, and the deep wisdom of our ancestors.
The school is set to open in Fall 2026 with grades K-3, growing gently over time until it reaches its full K-8 form. Nestled at the foot of the monastery, just across from the Happy Farm, it is part of a larger vision: a vibrant, multifold village rooted in mindful living, regenerative farming, intergenerational care, and daily spiritual practice. At the center is the monastery - the beating heart of this community - surrounded by a future sanctuary for compassionate eldercare, a lay hamlet devoted to simple, low-impact living and community service, and now, a school: a human garden for nurturing future generations in our times. Learning will not be confined to the classroom, but will unfold throughout the village - in the community, on the farm, in the mountains among the boulders and chaparral, and within the monastery itself.
This is one of the most tangible ways we can carry Thầy’s teachings into the future, especially in this moment, for this country, and in these challenging times. Hope is real, and it can be cultivated - one child at a time. The good news - we can nourish within ourselves and then offer this nourishment to the world.
Please explore our emerging vision and learn how to get involved here: www.tnhschool.org
This is a sangha effort. Your support - whether through your presence, your sharing of this vision, your financial offering, or your involvement in person - is deeply cherished. Every contribution is a seed of love. With enough care and community, these seeds will blossom into a true refuge for generations to come.
“The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.”
—Thích Nhất Hạnh
With deep gratitude and trust in the path,
Brothers Pháp Dung & Pháp Lưu
On behalf of the Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing and Deer Park Monastery
