On January 19, 2025, we commemorated the passing of our teacher, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thầy) with gratitude for the happy, healthy sangha that is Thầy’s legacy.
The following letters were read during the ceremony on this special three year anniversary memorial held in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall at Deer Park Monastery.
Letter #1
Letter to Thay from Brother Phap Luu 2025 Memorial Ceremony
Deer Park Monastery
January 19, 2025
Dear Thay,
We gather before you on this sacred occasion, your third memorial service, our hearts filled with gratitude and the deep aspiration to continue on the path you have illuminated for us.
During the Day of the Dead here at Deer Park, we honor our blood ancestors who transmitted to us their love and care. On Thanksgiving, we pay homage to our land ancestors, the Luiseño Payómkawichum peoples, whose wise stewardship nourished this land as they hunted, fished, and gathered acorns, seeds, berries, and herbs. Now, on this day of your memorial, we turn to you—our teacher and spiritual ancestor—and offer our thanks for the clear path of practice you have shown us.
You taught us never to lose ourselves in forgetfulness, even in pursuit of noble goals. You reminded us to come home to ourselves with each mindful breath, to stop and enjoy the simple wonders of life—the full moon rising, starlit skies, and the red-tailed hawk gliding high above. Through moments of awareness like this, you taught us to find nourishment, healing, and a renewal of body and mind.
This past year since your last memorial brought difficulties. We breathe for those who died, were injured, and who lost their homes in the Los Angeles fires. Wars and suffering in Sudan, the Sahel, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Myanmar, along with political uncertainties and a worsening climate crisis continue to challenge us. Our unhealed traumas, fears, and the illusion of separateness persist, causing harm both personally and globally. Yet, thanks to the wisdom you have transmitted, we know how to respond without furthering violence or division. You have guided us to “grow up” spiritually, to live by your example of compassionate action and understanding.
In 2025, a quarter century after you founded Deer Park, we commit to overcoming our differences and strengthening our bonds of true siblinghood. You taught us to release the 20th-century fixation on individual success and realize the Beloved Community in all we do—within our families, friendships, workplaces, neighborhoods, and broader communities. You pledged yourself to this ideal in 1968 when you heard the news of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, and today we reaffirm our own commitment to cultivate the seeds of this community you so lovingly planted and tended.
Thay, you have taught us that the future Buddha is a community. Though fear may still reside in our hearts, causing us to doubt our insights and the collective wisdom of the Sangha, we feel your loving gaze reminding us to trust ourselves and one another. True security and agency lie in our power to love and to dwell happily in the present moment—no external circumstance can ever take that away. If we can walk together on this Earth as siblings, living simply and joyfully, it is because of your steadfast guidance as our spiritual ancestor.
We see that you devoted your life to the service of others, speaking on behalf of the voiceless and sowing the seeds of peace wherever you went. Even now, with every mindful step and every mindful breath, we know you are here with us—your compassion and insight continue to illuminate our path.
Please receive these offerings of flowers and our sincere goodwill on the occasion of your third memorial. With all our hearts, we vow to carry forward your vision and insight into the world, serving as instruments of peace, understanding, and love.
With love and gratitude,
Brother Phap Luu and the Sangha of Deer Park Monastery
Letter #2
Letter to Thay from Sister Đẳng Nghiêm 2025 Memorial Ceremony
Deer Park Monastery
January 19, 2025
Dear Beloved Thầy,
It has already been three years since Thầy passed away! And yet, how wonderful it is that Thầy continues to accompany and support us! Every morning when I wake up, I gently rub my head and thank Thầy for giving me another day to live and practice with the Sangha. On my way to the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall, I walk with the poem, “Let Thầy breathe, let Thầy walk. I do not need to breathe, I do not need to walk” and the poem, “I entrust myself to Thầy, and Thầy entrusts himself to me.” The image of Thầy walking calmly, step by step, to the meditation hall is still vivid in my mind. There was one time when I suddenly noticed Thầy’s left foot wobble, but immediately Thầy regained his balance, which left a deep impression on me and constantly reminds me: no matter how much pain or illness I may have, I vow to follow Thầy’s example, always maintaining my practice and being present for the Sangha. Thầy’s meditation cushion is still there. Thầy still sits silently like a mountain, so that we, his children, have the opportunity to reflect and see the way forward. In meetings, during moments of sharing and offering, we always say: “Dear Thầy.” How sacred and warm the word “Thầy” is! During the meals, our young novices still offer the first cup of tea to Thầy with deep respect and affection. In Dharma talks, Thầy still walks calmly, still smiles kindly, still imparts deep wisdom, and encourages us to continue our practice.
Dear Thầy, the need for practice keeps growing, and so more and more practitioners are attending the Mindfulness Days and retreats. The retreat “The Buddha The Scientist” is fresh and exciting. The Venerable continues to guide us with increasing affection and understanding, inspiring us in our practice and study. Our elder Brothers have many new ideas and are starting a year-long program for practitioners to have opportunities to practice and serve; the Happy Farm project will be launched this year. The number of young American brothers is steadily increasing, practicing diligently with beautiful mindful manners. Our elder Sisters, though advanced in age, still come to sitting meditation and attend all Sangha activities, embracing and supporting their younger Sisters, one group after another. The younger Sisters are gentle, respectful, and diligently practicing and serving the Sangha. Younger Dharma teachers are also taking turns to give Dharma talks, offering orientations, and Sư em Áo Nghiêm has offfered a Dharma talk in English. Although Sister Tịnh Nghiêm endures significant pain, Sister Trăng Đầu Hạ has Parkinson’s, and Sister Hiền Hải has had multiple hospitalizations, they remain stable and fearless. Many of our dear lay friends, though elderly, still make efforts to come to the monastery and, in any way they can, always support us monastics. In their final days, they continued to turn toward Thầy and the Sangha. Uncle Thọ and recently uncle Quyền have passed away, and the image of them lying in the coffin, wearing the steadfast OI jacket moved us deeply.
In the retreat last year, an elderly American couple told me that they had often heard Thầy teach that the Sangha is Thầy’s continuation. However, after Thầy fell ill and passed away, they became disheartened and heartbroken, and did not come to practice for a long time. After this retreat, they clearly saw that the monastic Brothers and Sisters are able to continue Thầy’s legacy, and that Thầy is truly present within the Sangha! They wanted to thank the Brothers and Sisters for giving them this reassurance and peace of mind. Tears flowed from their eyes in true happiness.
A few months ago, I had a curious dream. I was climbing along the edge of a long wall when, suddenly, I reached a large window. Looking inside, I saw Thầy sitting at a desk, reading and writing. I stopped and watched Thầy for a long time. Thầy did not look up, but I felt that Thầy saw me and knew that I was outside the window. Then, I saw myself sitting on the ground in stillness. A smile bloomed on my lips when I woke up. The dream reminded me that my whole life has been like a monkey swinging from tree to tree, uncertain and unstable. Even now, in the robes of a monastic, my mind still gets anxious, upset, and grasping at times. How fortunate we are to have Thầy in our lives! Who gives us the breath of calmness if not Thầy? Who gives us the peaceful steps, the “royal steps,” if not Thầy? Who gives us the moments of sitting still, the opportunity to learn, to develop our talents, to share the Dharma, if not Thầy?
There are times of disagreement, but we practice yeilding, leaning on our shared love for Thầy to protect and build the Sangha. Though we cannot avoid challenges and ups and downs, with Thầy guiding us, we do not falter. We only need to diligently practice and continue nurturing our trust in each other.
In this sacred moment, we, the monastics and lay practitioners, gather together to illuminate the awareness that Thầy is always present with us. Thầy is the breath of mindfulness. Thầy is the peaceful step. Thầy’s love is simple and practical, expressed in words of trust, in compassionate gaze, in forgiveness, and in inclusiveness. We are Thầy’s children, and Thầy’s Bodhisattva vow is our vow.
I am walking, Thầy’s steps are legendary
I am breathing, Thầy’s breath is wondrous
I am living, Thầy’s life is miraculous
Happiness is smiling, Thầy is forever within me!
We humbly offer Thầy our deepest gratitude.
Your children, monastics and lay practitioners.