Plum Village, near Bordeaux, France
by Susan Hopkinson
(Brussels, Belgium)
Helping prepare meal at Plum Village
Plum Village is the home of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who has been living in exile in France for 40 years. It is the most calm and joyful place I have ever been to, and guests perform seva (service) by helping the monks and nuns prepare meals, clean and wash dishes. Meals are taken in noble silence. Mornings begin early with meditation, then later there are Dharma talks with Thay (Vietnamese for teacher), who is a genuine spiritual master. Children are welcomed and they flock to him because of his loving and calm presence. A lovely holiday alone or with family.
