Stepping into Freedom Becoming a Monastic under the guidance of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh Those with a sincere and deep aspiration to cultivate understanding and love, and to serve our society are welcome to join our monastic community, living, learning, an d practicing either in Plum Village in France, Deer Park Monastery in California, or Maple Forest Monastery in Vermont, USA. Our growing Sangha presently numbers 200 monastics spread out among the three centers. Requirements Priority is given to those from 16 to 28 years old. No academic degree is required. For those under 18, permission from parents is required. Monks and nuns in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition are celibate and make a life-long commitment to the community. They also live, practice and teach as a Sangha and not as individuals. There is a three-year novice period before full ordination as a monk or nun. nun . Requesting Ordination As a candidate for noviceship, you should stay either in Plum Village, Maple Forest Monastery, or Deer Park Monastery for at least three months to have first-hand experience of monastic life and for the Sangha to observe whether or not you have a strong monastic vocation. After the first two weeks, you should write about your aspirations for entering monastic life and request for an extended stay. You are asked to contribute the full amount for the first two weeks. The amount you will be asked to contribute after the first two-weeks is determined by your financial situation and by the Sangha. All monastics are ordained in Plum Village, except in special circumstances. So if you hav e spent 3 months in Deer Park or Maple Forest, you would need to go to Plum Village to be ordained. If you are not sure about entering monastic life, you are free to take your time and an d practice as a layperson in one of our centers.
When you are sure you want to ordain, you can write a letter to Thich Nhat Hanh and the Sangha requesting ordination. In the letter, you should share a bout your personal background, your experiences with the practice, and your aspirations for becoming a monastic. The Sangha will meet to consider your request for ordination and offer guidance for your practice, on how to improve your p ositive qualities and transform your negative ones. After thorough consideration, the Sangha will decide either that you are ready for ordination or that you need to practice longer, and wait for the next ordination. (There are usually at least two ordinations a year.) During that time, you practice as a novice-to-be, doing all activities and practices just like a monastic member. From the time you request an extended stay and express your intention to become a monastic member, you are not required to contribute toward housing, food and tuition. However, if your financial situation permits, you are encouraged to contribute. If you are ordained, then you become a member of Plum Village, and your expenses will be taken care of by Plum Village. Life as a Novice As a novice, you do not have to wait until full ordination or until u ntil you are a Dharma teacher in order to help people. Right in the first few months, your practice of mindful walking, mindful breathing and your peace and happiness can already be inspiring to many people who come to the practice center. Even when a novice is still very young, she can already be a Sangha builder, bringing happiness to many people.
When you are ordained as a monk or a nun, you make a commitment to stay with the Plum Village Sangha for the rest of your life. The Sangha is your family and our monasteries are your home. Even when difficulties arise, we do our best to live in harmony with our brothers and sisters. Your immediate family is welcome to visit you and they do not have to contribute to expenses, however, donations are accepted. You also can visit your family once every 2 years, or in the case of an emergency, or on other occasions with the Sangha’s approval. Our Monastic Sangha In the Plum Village monastic communities there are monks and nuns from many different countries including: France, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Canada, Sweden, Portugal, USA, Australia, and others. There is also a wide variety of ages, from age 15 to 75, though most of the monastics are in their 20s and 30s.
We recommend that you read Stepping into Freedom by Thich Nhat Hanh, an instruction book for novice monks and nuns that will introduce you to the fundamentals of monastic life. The information here is based on general policies of Plum Village and US monasteries. Please note that the policies may be changed and amended at any time. Last updated September 2003.
For more information, please contact: In California, USA: Deer Park Monastery, Solidity Hamlet (for monks): 2499 Melru Lane, Escondido CA 9202 6. Tel.: (760) 291-1057; E-mail:
[email protected]
Clarity Hamlet (for nuns): 2499 Melru Lane, Escondido CA 9 2026. Tel.: (760) 291-1028; E-mail:
[email protected] In Vermont, USA: Maple Forest Monastery (for monks): P.O. Box 354, South Woodstock, VT 05071. Tel.: (802) 457-9442; E-mail:
[email protected]
Green Mountain Dharma Center (for nuns): P.O. Box 182, Hartland-4-Corners, VT 05049. Tel.: (802) 436-1103; E-mail:
[email protected] In France: Plum Village Upper Hamlet (for monks): Le Pey 24240 Thenac, France. Tel.: +(33) 5.53.58.48.58, E-mail:
[email protected]
Lower Hamlet (for nuns): Meyrac 47120, Loubes-Bernac, France Tel.: +(33) 5.53.94.75.40, E-mail:
[email protected] New Hamlet (for nuns): 13 Martineau, 33580 Dieulivol, France Tel.: +(33) 5.56.61.66.88, E-mail:
[email protected]
