Deer Park Monastery Logo

Established by Zen Master
Thich Nhat Hanh and practicing in the Plum Village Tradition

We openly and warmly welcome the diversity of your experience to this place of refuge and healing – wherever you come from, however you look or identify, whomever you love.

Scholarships for Retreats

A limited number of scholarships are available through a grant we have received from the Hemera Foundation. To learn more and apply, visit the grant information page.

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In addition to the events below, we may also have 1-2 weeks seasonal retreats available for registration.

This Month

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

2 events,

Who is Thich Nhat Hanh? Course

Who is Thich Nhat Hanh? Course

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Day of Mindfulness

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

2 events,

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Day of Mindfulness

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

2 events,

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Day of Mindfulness

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

2 events,

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Day of Mindfulness

1 event,

2 events,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

1 event,

3 events,

Holiday Retreat: Love in Action

Holiday Retreat: Love in Action

2 events,

2 events,

2 events,

2 events,

2 events,

1 event,

Help Support the Monastery!

Get Involved and Learn More

464: Brother Phap Hoi: Lucky for Me – Deer Park Dharmacast

Brother Phap Hoi is a Vietnamese refugee and the most senior Brother at Deer Park Monastery. "Because the Sangha embrace all of the people, even you are high level or low level of good background or not. You all have the chance in the Sangha if you go in the right direction of practice." 3:16 Meeting Thay 8:20 Arriving at Plum Village 11:30 Visa Trouble, First Stint at Deer Park 17:12 Bat Nha Monastery 26:25 Plum Village Thailand 32:00 Gratitude for Thay and the Path You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. In this episode of Meet the Monastics, Brother Minh An speaks with Brother Phap Hoi, the eldest brother at Deer Park Monastery, about his extraordinary journey into monastic life. Born in 1970 into a humble family in Hanoi, Brother Phap Hoi’s path led him across multiple countries, including Czechoslovakia, Germany, and eventually France, where he was ordained at Plum Village in 1996. His life was marked by significant challenges, including fleeing as a refugee, navigating borders without proper paperwork, and enduring hardships during his search for a spiritual home. Inspired by Thay’s teachings, particularly The Miracle of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Hoi found his deep calling to monastic life after attending a Day of Mindfulness in Germany. Brother Phap Hoi shares how his practice flourished despite difficulties, from supporting the establishment of Deer Park Monastery in the U.S. to helping build Plum Village centers in Thailand and Vietnam, including the historic Bát Nhã Monastery. His reflections emphasize the resilience and strength of the monastic Sangha, particularly during times of persecution and hardship. Brother Phap Hoi expresses profound gratitude for Thay’s inclusive and compassionate vision, which provided him with the opportunity to grow and serve, no matter his background or limitations. For Brother Phap Hoi, the Sangha is a true family, offering a path of transformation and love, which he continues to follow wholeheartedly. Meet the Monastics
  1. 464: Brother Phap Hoi: Lucky for Me
  2. 463: Sister Phu Nghiem: We Are a Buddhist Family
  3. 462: Brother Phap Luu: American Awakening (Meet the Monastics)
  4. 461: Sister Le Nghiem: Put Your Heart into the Practice (Meet the Monastics)
  5. 460: Sister Trung Chinh: The Whole Universe Embraces Us