Thich Nhat Hanh Welcomed In Bangkok

Thich Nhat Hanh welcomed in Bangkok

by Vice Rector of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidayalaya at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport (October 11, 2010)

Thich Nhat Hanh, The Venerable Zen master and an international ensemble of monks and nuns from Plum Village arrived in Bangkok to preside over mindfulness activities held throughout October as well as to participate in a religious ceremony to mark the establishment of Plum Village in Thailand. They were warmly welcomed by Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidayalaya University (MCU) and Thai and foreign disciples.

The revered Zen teacher of Plum Village Meditation Practice Center in France and 34 Plum Village monks and nuns from various countries travelled from Indonesia and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1.10 pm via Garuda Airlines flight GA 866.

Plum Village practitioners gathered at the VIP Room of Suvarnabhumi Airport at a welcome ceremony presided over by Phrakhrupalad Suvatthanavachirakhun (Sawai Chotiko), Vice Rector for Foreign Affairs of MCU.

After children presented garlands to the monastic, the Vice Rector gave a welcome speech to Thich Nhat Hanh, “On behalf of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidayalaya University, We welcome the Most Venerable and Plum Village to Thailand again. With the Most Venerable coming to Thailand, we can get dharma talk and dharma practice in Zen Buddhism or Plum Village meditation practice to Thai people.

Thich Nhat Hanh said in reply, “We are really at home when we arrive in Thailand, the home of Buddhism. We are very happy to have this opportunity to come, to learn and to practice at the home of the teaching of the Buddha. We know that the world is full of violence, separation, discrimination and the practice of Buddhism should be able to help transform the situation in this world. An individual’s awakening is not sufficient. We need to come together in order to produce collective awakening.”

Thich Nhat Hanh’s trip to Thailand is part of his pilgrimage to Southeast Asia which started in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, at the invitation of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidayalaya University, and will end in Hong Kong. After the pilgrimage, he will then return to Plum Village in France, the meditation center which he has founded and has resided there for over 30 years.

For those interested in the mindfulness practices of Plum Village in Thailand this month, please visit www.thaiplumvillage.org for more information and online registration.

However, the Dharma Talk at Thammasat University and the 5-day retreat for general public and families in Nakhonnayok have been fully booked. Only the Dharma Talk at MCU in Wangnoi, Ayuthaya, on October 22, 2010, is still open for online registration.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or tel.085-318-2939, 086-688-4984 (8.00-17.00, Monday-Friday)

In addition, the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh will take part in a religious ceremony to mark the establishment of Plum Village in Thailand in Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima, on October 30, 2010. The ceremony will be presided over by Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi.