Joyfully Together Sutra Study Program 2026/27
Transformation & Healing
September 17 - Coming Home; Stopping, Calming & Looking Deeply
We are invited to join Sangha members from across the continent on Thursday, September 17, at 7 pm - 8:30 pm ET, as we gather to enjoy our first of 10 monthly explorations of the Satipathana Sutra, The Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness.
This year our study will be based on Thay’s book, Transformation and Healing, which presents Thich Nhat Hanh”s commentary on one of the Buddha’s most fundamental teachings and the foundation of all mindfulness practice. We meet the third Thursday of each month through June.
Selected monthly readings will be provided on the Joyfully Together Sutra Study website, but for our own reference you may want to purchase this text online at Parallax Press (a nonprofit book publisher that focuses on mindful living, meditation, and Engaged Buddhism) using Discount Code “sangha20” to receive a 20% discount. You may also be able to find a used copy at many fine Used Book Stores. This book is a worthwhile investment for our home libraries as a resource to support our ongoing practice. Thich Nhat Hanh tells us, “This is one of the sutras you keep under your pillow, always with you.”
Here are the study and practice materials you can use if you would like to prepare for this month’s meeting:
Transformation and Healing September Readings
For additional resources, including recordings of previous talks, visit our Website.
Introduction:
What is Mindfulness?
Exercise #1 : Conscious Breathing & Exercise #2 : Following the Breath
2. Zoom into meeting — please contact info@deepriversangha for this Zoom link.
All are welcome; there is no requirement to have attended prior sessions.
Our Joyful Sutra Study Mission
We are an online Sangha that meets monthly to explore the essential Buddhist teachings at the heart of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Tradition. All are welcome for an evening of practice that includes meditation, Dharma reflections by Order of Interbeing members, and small group sharing. We aspire to create a supportive space for deepening our understanding of these core teachings and learning ways to apply them in everyday life.
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet — Sangha Opportunity
We are invited to join people from around the globe to a transformative 7-week online course that offers practices to take care of our pain and anxiety around the environmental and climate disruption we are experiencing, as well as cultivating tools for deepening our freshness, solidity, clarity and freedom.
Please complete this survey to let us know if you are interested in participating in ZASP, and if so, with the NC Sanghas.
The upcoming course is October 18-December 6. Registration is now open, and friends from our NC Sanghas (and also friends in other states who attend the Winston-Salem Community of Mindfulness T/TH morning practice) are invited to register as a group.There is a sliding scale fee from $200 (reduced rate) to $300 (standard rate), on up to $600 for supporters (all proceeds go to support Plum Village, France). Your friends and family are welcome to join us.
If you can afford to pay one of the above rates, please do. And, our sanghas have been granted a group discount and special scholarships for people who experience disabilities, for students, for under-represented people and people with low/limited income. Please contact susanepoulos@gmail.com for more information.
Once the course begins, a special Dharma Sharing group will be set up so that we can practice and share together as we go through this course.
We will enjoy live sessions with Plum Village monastics, recorded daily meditation practices, Dharma teachings, and live small sharing groups. And a connection with practitioners across the globe. I love the flexibility of the schedule...it allows me to go through the course at my own pace. The materials are available for at least six months after the course is complete.
Please watch this video.
Also, we are invited to join a free online event on Thursday, September 24 at 1:30 Eastern time. Join Brother Phap Linh and ecological economist Kate Raworth, author and founder of @doughnuteconomics (DEAL), as they explore the relationship between inner transformation and systems change.
Together, we’ll ask:
What does it mean to create change from the inside out?
How can inner transformation strengthen our response to the polycrisis?
What could it look like to build systems rooted in interdependence, helping our personal, collective and planetary wellbeing thrive?
Whether you’re an educator, student, parent, caregiver, working in the climate sector, or simply somebody who cares about the Earth, you’re warmly invited to join us.
This event is inspired by the Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet (ZASP) online course, and is open both to those who are new to ZASP and those who have taken the course before.
Free to attend. Sign up via the link in bio: plumvillage.org/inner-change
October 16-20 North Carolina Sanghas Retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery
Blue Cliff Monastery that our North Carolina Sanghas are welcome to come to a special and informal retreat from October 16 – 20 . At this retreat, we will enjoy following the daily schedule with the monastics and with each other, enjoy the opportunity to be in a quiet and spacious environment to rest, to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Blue Cliff Monastery in the colorful autumn, and to offer service to the monastery if we are able.
The daily schedule will include:
Early Morning: Wake up and sitting meditation.
Morning: Breakfast, walking meditation, a Dharma talk or Q&A
Midday: Mindful lunch practice and rest time.
Afternoon: Working meditation (service) or Dharma-sharing groups.
Evening: Light dinner, collective practice or personal study, and noble silence beginning around nightfall and going through breakfast.
Please register using the link below. Partial scholarships are available for Deep River Sangha members (please contact info@deepriversangha.org). Each sangha may have scholarship opportunities. If you have questions, please contact info@deepriversangha.org.
2026 NC Sanghas & Friends Retreat Registration Link. Please register by October 1.
Some of us will be driving to Blue Cliff, some of us will be traveling by air. Breeze Airways has inexpensive direct flights from Raleigh to Stewart/Newburgh airport, a 22 mile drive. If you’d like to coordinate travel with friends who are traveling, please complete this survey so we can help to match travelers.
Join friends from the Winston-Salem Community of Mindful Living, Deep River Sangha and other regional sanghas for
Tuesday and Thursday Mornings, 7:00-7:40 a.m. Online Meditation:
Tuesdays: Guided meditation, reading, sharing. Thursdays: Morning Chant, silent sitting meditation, reading, sharing. All are welcome — no experience necessary. For more information, send a message through our Contact tab.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82703691204?pwd=YmNEVFNQWXNxQTlPQk44cnliRzRTZz09
Meeting ID: 82703691204
Password: 010101
We are currently reading from the book,The Sun My Heart, by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The Winston-Salem Community of Mindful Living meets weekly in person on Thursday evenings for sitting practice. Please visit https://mindfulwinston.org/ for details.
Living Gems is Live!
The world’s largest collection of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings is now available, ad free and available now. A deep bow of gratitude to the many hands, hours, love, and skill that went into this project.
Living Gems
plumvillage.org
Practice Resources
PV Guided meditations collected by Rob Walsh
Beautiful music video from Plum Village to honor Thay’s Continuation Day, October 11
Dharma talks, video, songs for the practice, and chants from Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village community members and friends:
One Buddha is Not Enough – “How to Cultivate Happiness in Relationships” (3 minutes)
Thich Nhat Hanh on Buddhist Essentials: What is Nirvana (5 minutes)
Taking Refuge | Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh (6 minutes)
The Four Noble Truths | Thich Nhat Hanh (short teaching video) (18 minutes)
Thich Nhat Hanh – Introduction to Mindfulness (58 minutes)
Dharma Talks (video) by Thich Nhat Hanh
https://plumvillage.org/thich-nhat-hanh-dharma-talks/
Thich Nhat Hanh Dharma Talks (audio)
http://tnhaudio.org/
Plum Village on Vimeo
http://vimeo.com/user745118
At Deep River Sangah,we deeply value being together in person. We also recognize that many of our Sangha friends may also benefit from an online affinity group Sangha, and there are several in our Plum Village tradition:
BIPOC Sanghas,for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
ChrysanthemumSangha, for LGBTQIA+ friends and allies
12 Step Recovery & Mindfulness
Dharma talks & video fromMagnolia Grove Monastery
Weekly Online Sangha practice sessions (6-7 pm Eastern): Please register to receive the Zoom link
Dharma talks, video, and songs from Deer Park Monastery
Deer Park Dharmacast
http://deerpark.libsyn.com/
Deer Park Recordings on SoundCloud
http://soundcloud.com/deer-park-monastery
Meet the Monastics from Deer Park Monastery As monastics, the most common question asked of us is, you guessed it, why did you become a monastic? I'm Brother Minh-An, a Buddhist monk in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. And this podcast is for anyone who's ever wanted to ask that question. Each week, we'll bring you my conversations with other fully ordained monks and nuns about their journey to monastic life and what inspires them now. We hope they inspire you to live a happier, kinder, and more meaningful life. And who knows, maybe some of you will even consider monastic life yourself.
You can listen to the weekly episodes wherever you get your podcasts (simply search for Meet the Monastics) or on the Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel. Meet the Monastics: A New Podcast
Video and audio from Blue Cliff Monastery
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaX_vxbhs8fgmshMksFpVsUeMfUpv8FsW
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/blue-cliff-monastery
Dharma talks, video, and songs from the Wake Up Movement
Americas | Wake Up International
https://wkup.org/category/america/
Peace Sounds: Wake Up London & Friends
http://peacesounds.bandcamp.com/
Julian + Chad singing "The Island Within" and "Call Me By My True Names"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDr46vMTmdg
Julian + Chad singing "Rainbow Connection"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=851QUg75NAs
"Brother Thây: A Radio Pilgrimage with Thich Nhat Hanh," a profile and interview with Thich Nhat Hanh by Krista Tippett
The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering) from Rens Smittenaar
Sister Dang Nghiem (Adornment with Non-discrimination) on inviting the bell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6aYE3irqFQ
Thich Nhat Hanh on inviting the bell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7fzUBz_PWA
YouTube videos
Sister The Nghiem singing "Discourse on Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdtnOo7XZts
Sister The Nghiem singing "Watering the Seeds of Joy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdoE2EU_UyI&feature=channel&list=UL
Discourse on True Contentment
By Sister Dang Nghiem (Sister D)
I heard these words of Thay one time when he was living in the vicinity of Escondido at the Deer Park Monastery in the Oak Grove. Late at night, a group of coyotes appeared, whose passionate howls made the whole Oak Grove tremble joyfully. After paying respects to Thay with the right front paw pointing in the direction of the moon, the elder coyote asked him a question in the form of a verse:
“People, animals, plants, and minerals are eager to know
what are the conditions which bring about true contentment.
Please, Thay, will you teach us?”
(This is Thay’s answer:)
“To live in a Sangha,
to have brothers and sisters working in harmony, to serve peoples of all nations—
this is the true contentment.
“To have a chance to practice and transform,
to see yourself becoming more accepting and more solid, to recognize that others also blossom—this is the true contentment.
“To be able to recognize and forgive,
to nurture gratitude to your blood family and spiritual family, to express love through loving speech and deep listening—this is the true contentment.
“To have time to sit peacefully for your ancestors,
to touch the Earth tenderly with each step, to eat in union with the whole cosmos—
this is the true contentment.
“To create practice centers and hold regular retreats,
to turn gymnasiums and theatres into Dharma halls, to bring the Dharma rain into ghettos and prisons—this is the true contentment.
“To witness police officers, business people, legislators,
scientists, and war veterans enjoying the Pure Land
with their mindful breaths and mindful steps—this is the true contentment.
“To provide a joyful environment for young people,
to help them reconnect with their families and society,
to show them that there is a beautiful path—this is the true contentment.
“To practice, work, study, and play together,
to realize the beauties and hardships of your brothers and sisters,
to cherish and protect them as your own marrow—this is the true contentment.
“To live a life simple and uncompetitive,
to come back to your breath as your soul food,
to rejoice in the music of the bell, wind songs, and laughter—this is the true contentment.
“To avoid speaking and reacting in anger,
not caught by your ideas and judgments,
and to be diligent in doing beginning anew—this is the true contentment.
“To savor the freedom in non-waiting,
to transform the grasping mind into that of true love,
to be a kind continuation of your spiritual ancestors—that is the true contentment.
“To see all life forms as your brothers and sisters,
to enjoy simply being together,
to actively build a beautiful past with your true presence—this is the true contentment.
“To rise in the morning with a smile,
to retire each night with peace, content to let go of all,
to know that you have loved and have been loved deeply—that is the true contentment.
“To live in the world
with your heart open to impermanence and change,
to progress stably on your true path, free of fear and worry—this is the true contentment.
“For he or she who accomplishes this,
arriving and at home wherever she goes,
always he is peaceful and happy—true contentment is in the moment one lives.”
Thay had finished the teaching. The coyotes were extremely delighted at what they had heard. At once, they stood up with posture erect and gave rise to another harmonious and joyful howl. The moon smiled contentedly from above, as she floated freely in the immense space.
Joyfully Together Sutra Study & Practice Program
The Anapanasati Sutra : The Path of Emancipation
Dwelling in the Here and Now
We hope you will join Sangha members from Deep River Sangha and from across the continent on Thursday, September 18, at 7 p.m. ET for the first in our series of 10 programs, as we gather to begin our monthly exploration of the Anapanasati Sutra on the Sixteen Exercises of Mindful Breathing, which are at the heart of the teachings offered by Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village community. By studying, practicing, and observing these exercises together with the Sangha, we can discover healing, transformation and insight for ourselves, our ancestors, families, communities, and the world.
New Dharma Teachers Susan Poulos from Deep River Sangha, and Denys Candy from the River Valley Sangha in Northampton, Mass. will offer their reflections this month. Our Core Sutra Study Sangha meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month (September 2025 - June 2026). We are encouraged by Chan Huy to study and practice as a Sangha to amplify and strengthen the application and embodiment of these teachings for ourselves, our families, our communities, and for the world.
This year participants are invited to use The Path of Emancipation. You can purchase this new at Parallax Press, using Discount Code: sangha20. You may also be able to find it used at many fine Re-Use Book Stores
We have developed a new Website that has all the information you need as we study and practice together for the next 10 months (the third Thursday of each month through June 2026).
September Readings: The Path of Emancipation Pages 1 - 35: optional : 261 - 276
Please write to info@deepriversangha.org for the Zoom link.
To support our deepening of our practice this month, we are invited to incorporate one or more of the following practices / reflections below:
Download the Mindfulness Bell from the Plum Village App onto your phone, or set a timer to go off periodically. When you hear the bell or the timer, stop and breathe in and out mindfully 3 times. Notice what you experience during this practice.
When you go to bed at night, practice breathing in and out with complete attention 5-10 times. (You may like to start with 5 breaths and work up to 10.) Notice what you experience during this practice.
Thich Nhat Hanh studies the “Discourse on the Full Awareness of Breathing” in the book.
Consider these points:
How does paying close attention to the breath impact the experience of the present moment?
What are the challenges in sustaining mindfulness of breath?
How can mindful breathing be integrated into daily activities?
Questions?
joyfulsutrastudy@gmail.com
If you need help downloading the Plum Village App to your mobile device, tablet, laptop or desktop, please see below, or write to info@deepriversangha.org.
Looking forward to taking this journey together!
Plum Village App is also on mobile, offering extras like the Bell of Mindfulness and Meditation Timer.
Our Joyful Sutra Study Mission
We are an online Sangha that meets monthly to explore the essential Buddhist teachings at the heart of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition. All are welcome for an evening of practice that includes meditation, Dharma reflections by Dharma Teachers and Order of Interbeing members, and small group sharing. We aspire to create a supportive space for deepening our understanding of these core teachings and learning ways to apply them in everyday life.
Sangha Core Sutra Study
Sangha Core Sutra Study Practice
Thu, June 20, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
The Sangha Core Sutra Study Practice is an online Sangha that started more than 15 years ago to deepen our understanding and practice of the core sutras. We meet monthly for 10 months each year to explore the essential Buddhist teachings at the heart of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition. All are welcome for an evening of practice that includes meditation, Dharma reflections by Order of Interbeing members, and small group sharing. We aspire to create a supportive space for deepening our understanding of these core teachings and learning ways to apply them in everyday life.This year we are studying the Diamond Sutra, which Thay tells us is one of the most beloved scriptures in the Zen tradition and the earliest text to explore deep ecology.
In this profound teaching the Buddha invites us to let go of four deeply held notions in order to understand our own true nature and the true nature of reality so we may transcend our ignorance and wrong views. We will also be looking at related teachings from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. We are inspired to be exploring these deep teachings with you this year!
Remaining date:
June 20, 2024: How to Practice the Buddha's Teachings
Zoom link for 7pm (Eastern Time):
https://zoom.us/j/780647439?pwd=bCt3N2EyOSs1NXVObVhaVXphMXl4Zz09
Meeting ID: 780 647 439 - Password: 031129
Half day of Mindfulness
We are happy to announce that registration is now open for our upcoming Half Day of Mindfulness on Saturday, 4/13, at Timberlake Earth Sanctuary from 1-4:30.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. WATCH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NEXT DAY OF MINDFULNESS.
Due to causes and conditions, the original full Day of Mindfulness scheduled for Sunday, 4/14 will not happen.
Here is a link to register for this beautiful opportunity to practice sitting, walking, deep relaxation, and a Dharma Discussion led by Dharma Teacher Scott Schang in community.
When: Saturday, April 13, 1-4:00 p.m. (Check in 12:45 p.m.)
Where: Timberlake Earth Sanctuary
Cost: Sliding scale of $10 - $40 based on your ability to pay. Please bring a bag lunch.
Space is limited so we will cap registration at 33. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once you register, you will receive confirmation with more information.
Schedule:
1/2 Day of Mindfulness 1:00 - 4:30 (Registrants are welcome to come at 12:00 to enjoy a brown-bag lunch)
1:00 – Welcome, short orientation, introductions
1:30 – Outdoor walking meditation
2:15 – Deep relaxation (bring a yoga mat / blanket) followed by short Mindful Movements
3:00 – Break
3:10 – Dharma Discussion led by Scott Schang
4:10 – Closing
4:30 - Depart
