Sharing Peace With My Children

My first visit to Deer Park was circa 2005. I brought my three young sons, aged 5, 7, and 9. This special day was the very first time I shared my devotion to the Buddhist faith, and my deep appreciation for the existence of Deer Park Monastery, with my family. 

It was a beautiful spring day. My sons enjoyed walking with the monks, who shared information and spoke of future plans for the Deer Park acreage. The boys were thrilled to hike up to the huge Buddha statue and look out at the magnificent views. Entering the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall, my sons, in awe, quickly sat on mats, listening in silence. During the vegetarian lunch, hesitant at first, the boys had me smiling. “Mom! This food actually tastes GOOD!” 

What I found so comforting about my first Deer Park visit is the quick and subtle impact it had on the boys. I observed the peace and love of Deer Park settle into their spirits immediately. They were respectful and quiet during the appropriate times. They were comfortable asking questions of the smiling Deer Park Monastery monk who was happy to share information and provide answers that made sense to young children. Sharing Deer Park with my family was spiritually meaningful: Seeing the joy and interest the boys had during our visit, as well as hearing more thoughtful questions from them in the days following, validated sharing my love of Deer Park with them.

As a parent, it is natural to focus on one’s children during extraordinary experiences such as visiting Deer Park for the first time. But now, looking back to that day, I realize what a significantly happy event it was for me personally, as I had wanted to set foot on Deer Park grounds for some time! 

Living in north Escondido, I would travel on Old Highway 395 daily. There was a roadside home and small property where a group of Buddhist monks lived. I would see them outside, dressed in their splendid robes. One day a large Buddha statue was placed outside. So lovely! I wanted to stop, to give fruits and vegetables to the monks, to bow to them, smile with them; but I did not, for fear of intruding. I regret that naivete! I wonder if this was the monks’ temporary living arrangement prior to moving to what would eventually be called Deer Park. I wonder if Thích Nhất Hạnh himself ever lived there. I wonder if he took part in the Deer Park Day of Mindfulness I attended with my family so long ago!

I am grateful to live in the same area where Thay, our Father of Mindfulness, founded Deer Park Monastery. As a lay Buddhist, Deer Park remains in my heart. The existence of Deer Park strengthens my faith and supports my aspirations to fully embrace my Buddha nature, to help those in need wherever I can, and to always share my love of Deer Park with others!

Keri Drumm