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  • About
    • About Us Overview
    • Thich Nhat Hanh
    • Meet Our Community
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News
  • Learn & Listen
    • Learn & Listen Overview
    • Media & Resources
    • Library
    • Creativity
    • Online Courses
  • Mindfulness
    • Mindfulness Overview
    • Foundations of Mindfulness
    • Mindful Living
    • Trauma-Informed Mindfulness
    • Guided Meditations
  • Community
    • Join Our Community
    • Initiatives
    • Journal
    • Start a Sangha
    • Wake Up (18-35)
    • Become a Monastic
    • Order of Interbeing (OI)
    • BIPOC Sanghas
    • LGBTQIA+ Communities
    • Lay Dharma Teachers
  • Visit
    • Visit Overview
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    • Types of Visits
    • Register for a Retreat
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Blue Cliff Monastery

3 Mindfulness Road
Pine Bush, NY 12566
United States 

Deer Park Monastery

2499 Melru Lane
Escondido, CA 92026
United States

Magnolia Grove Monastery

123 Towles Rd 
Batesville, MS 38606 
United States

Stream of Compassion Mindfulness Practice Centre

670 Concession 20 W, Tiny, ON L9M 0H6, Canada

Plum Village

437 Chemin du Pey

24240 Thénac
France

European Institute of Applied Buddhism

Schaumburgweg 3 Germany
D-51545 Waldbröl
Germany

Healing Spring Monastery

2 Rue Pascal Jardin
77510 Verdelot
France

Maison de l’Inspir

8 Rue des Fans
77510 Villeneuve-sur-Bellot
France

Thai Plum Village

Pong Ta Long
Pak Chong District
Nakhon Ratchasima 30130
Thailand

Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism

Lotus Pond Temp, Ngong Ping
Lantau Island
New Territories
Hong Kong SAR China

Stream Entering Monastery

530 Porcupine Ridge Road 
Porcupine Ridge VIC VIC 3461
Australia

Mountain Spring Monastery

2657 Bells Line of Road
Bilpin NSW 2758
Australia

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The Buddha the Scientist Symposium & Retreat
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Initiatives

The Buddha the Scientist Symposium & Retreat

These symposiums bring together mindfulness practitioners and scientists to explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern scientific inquiry. Rooted in the teachings of the Buddha — who approached the mind and body with a spirit of experimentation and inquiry — they offer a transformative space to cultivate mindfulness, insight, and resilience. 

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About the Symposium

The Buddha the Scientist Symposium (TBTS) invites scientists from around the world to explore the intersection of Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience through the embodied practice of mindfulness. The symposium combines mindfulness practice with groundbreaking scientific inquiry and discussion. 

We often partner with universities to host the symposiums, bringing together professors, scholars, scientists, and researchers from around the world to offer their insights. 

The Buddha as a Scientist

The Buddha, as a true pioneer, ignited a revolution in understanding the mind and body. His teachings offer concrete methods to develop mindfulness, concentration, and insight—an invaluable compass for seekers throughout the ages. Moreover, he embodied a scientific mindset, continually adapting his teachings based on real-life evidence gleaned from his own practice and that of his students. 

Monastic Walk Brighter

Turn Your Inbox into a Dharma Door

Subscribe to our Coyote Tracks newsletter on Substack to receive event announcements, writing, art, music, and meditations from Deer Park monastics.

Support Deer Park

Donations are our main source of support, so every offering is greatly appreciated. Your contribution helps us to keep the monastery open to receive guests throughout the year.

Donate

Sep 2026

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September 29 / 2:00 pm - October 3 2:00 pmThe Buddha the Scientist Retreat

We invite you to join us for The Buddha the Scientist Retreat at Deer Park Monastery, co-hosted by UCSD.

Read

Oct 2026

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October 4 / 9:00 am - 5:00 pmThe Buddha the Scientist Symposium @ UCSD

The Buddha the Scientist Symposium (TBTS) is a 1-day event hosted at UCSD inviting scientists from around North America to explore the intersection of Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience through the embodied practice of mindfulness.

Read

April 2026

Past TBTS Events

  • Dartmouth College | April 7, 2025
  • Deer Park Monastery | September 26 - October 2, 2023
  • Deer Park Monastery | August 31 - September 4, 2022

Hear what participants said:

The lecture on somatic exercises was a new learning that made a strong-felt impression.  I was also moved by the brave sharing by Sangha members who asked difficult questions.

–

TBTS Participant, 2022

There were many [memorable moments], but hearing the scientists share their research and how changing our diets could save the planet was very inspiring.

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TBTS Participant, 2022

My favorite element of Dr. Niemiec’s workshop was the part where we were paired with another person and shared our strengths. It’s unusual to talk about my strengths and especially without also talking about my weaknesses.

–

TBTS Participant, 2022

Dr. Juliet Hwang showing nervous system regulation techniques at The Buddha the Scientist Retreat, Deer Park Monastery, 2022
Dr. Juliet Hwang showing nervous system regulation techniques at The Buddha the Scientist Retreat, Deer Park Monastery, 2022

Explore Online Courses

From time to time we offer multi-week courses related to mindfulness, the teachings and life of Thich Nhat Hanh, and a variety of similar subjects. Please see our schedule of upcoming courses.

Upcoming Courses
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Plum Village App

Take the Deer Park Monastery and Plum Village community with you wherever you go. The Plum Village app is designed to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and joy through guided meditations, deep relaxations, practice poems, bells of mindfulness, and other practices — all through a mobile device.

Open Plum Village Mobile App in the App Store
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