Thay in India (2008)
Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastics of Plum Village center visited India several times. This page has details about the 2008 visit.
Curtain Raiser Press Even with Book Launch
25th September 2008, Alliance Francaise Auditorium, New Dehli
Partner Organizations with Ahimsa Trust:
- French Embassy
- Alliance Fraincaise
- Full Circle Books
Programme details:
- Interactive session between Thich Nhat Hanh and an eminent panel of invitees including Arun Shourie, Anu Aga, Arun Kapoor and Nandita Das moderated by Shantum Seth before an invited audience from the media
- Launch of book titled ‘Under the Banyan Tree’ by H.E. Jerome Bonnafont, Ambassador of France, Embassy of France in India
- Questions by members of the press
- Informal social interaction accompanied by refreshments.
- Event received extensive press coverage from print and television media like Hindustan Times, Times of India, Asian Age, NDTV, News X etc
National Workshop for Teachers: Towards a Compassionate and Healthy Society
26th-29th September 2008, The Doon School, Deradun
Partner Organizations with Ahimsa Trust:
- MAX India
- The Doon School, Pallavan
- Vasant Valley School
- Kasiga International School
Programme details:
A 4 day workshop was organised at The Doon School where 550 teachers attended from all over India ranging from the north- east India to Kerala. The participants included a number of Principals, teachers, some administrative staff from both private schools as well as Government schools like the Kendriya Vidyalayas, NCERT and the SCERT schools and residents of Dehradun.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Governor of Uttarakhand on the 26th evening. A very full schedule followed in the next 3 days including talks, discussions, walking and eating meditation and introduction to various practices. The feedback forms from the workshop were extremely positive with participants requesting follow up workshops in the future. A report was written by some of the American embassy school teachers.
Inauguration of the Mindfulness in Education Centre land in Dehradun
30th September 2008
Programme details:
Thich Nhat Hanh inaugurated and blessed the land which has been bought by 5 people, a part of which will be used to set up a Mindfulness in Education Centre in the future. He planted a Banyan tree along with the other monastics who planted the Sita Ashok tree, Peepal tree etc.
Thich Nhat Hanh Meeting with Senior Editors of The Times of India
1st October 2008 Gandhi Darshan guest house, Rajghat, Delhi and Times of India office, Delhi
Programme details:
Thich Nhat Hanh was invited to be the National Guest Editor for all Times of India publications on 2nd of October, Gandhi Jayanti also observed as UN World Non Violence day for which a meeting with senior editors of Times of India was organised at Gandhi Darshan guest house, Rajghat subsequent to which he visited the newspaper office to interact with the top management including Samir Jain, Vice Chairman of the group.
Thich Nhat Hanh Meeting with Senior Editors of The Times of India
1st October 2008 Gandhi Darshan guest house, Rajghat, Delhi and Times of India office, Delhi
Programme details:
Thich Nhat Hanh’s interview was aired by Radio Mirchi in their special focus on peace on 2nd October
Gandhi Memorial Lecture to Mark 60th year of Gandhiji's martyrdom & UN Non-Violence Day
1st October 2008, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti auditorium , Delhi
Partner Organization with Ahimsa Trust:
- Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti
Programme details:
- Lecture. Thich Nhat Hanh delivered the Gandhi Memorial Lecture to mark the 60th year of Gandhiji’s martyrdom and World Non- Violence Day 2008 celebrations
- Book Launch. Launch of the book Power published by Harper Collins and released by H. E. Anand Sharma, MOS Ministry of External Affairs.
The session was attended by a large audience including many dignitaries like Dr. Karan Singh, head ICCR; Mrs. Tara Bhattacharya grand daughter of Gandhiji, Ms. Savita Singh, Director, Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti and H. E. Vu Quang Diem, Ambassador Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Interfaith Peace Walk 'Peace is Every Step' Commemorating the International Day of Non-violence, Gandhi Jayanti and Id
2nd October 2008, Raisina Hill to India Gate on Rajpath
Partner Organization with Ahimsa Trust:
- Government of NCT of Delhi
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- UNESCO, Prayas
- Temple of Understanding
- MAX India
- WASS
Programme details:
A path breaking event where more than 1000 people including students walked for peace, slowly with mindfulness, in silence led by Thich Nhat Hanh down historic Rajpath. The event was flagged off by the Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit. The group consisted of NGOs like Prayas, interfaith representatives like the Temple of Understanding, Vipassna practitioners and the medical community
Session on ‘The Art of Leadership’ for the Corporate Community
2rd October 2008, Hotel Taj Mahal , New Delhi
Partner Organization with Ahimsa Trust:
- Aspen Institute India
- Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)
Programme details:
A half day of mindfulness practice session was organised and was well attended by eminent members of corporate India inaugurated by Ravi Bhoothalingam, Founder and Chairman, Manas Advisory followed by the launch of the book, ‘ Understanding our Mind ‘published by Harper Collins by Analjit Singh- Chairman, Max India. Other eminent attendees included family members from TVS and The Hindu group who specially flew to Delhi for the event.
A Day of Mindfulness
4th October 2008, India International Centre, Lodi Estate, New Delhi
Partner Organization with Ahimsa Trust:
- India International Centre
Programme details:
A full day of mindfulness was held in the beautiful premises of the IIC on a Saturday. It was attended by about 300 people including many members of the IIC.
Former Attorney General of India, Mr. Ashok Desai introduced Thich Nhat Hanh to the audience. After a one and a half hour talk in the Fountain Lawns the entire audience joined the walking meditation in Lodhi Gardens. Thereafter, there was a silent picnic lunch at Lodhi Gardens. After a short break, Sister Chan Khong led a Deep Relaxation and Touching the Earth session in the Martin Luther King Plaza. This was followed by apple meditation which was enjoyed greatly by the participants. The day ended with a question and answer session with eight monastics.
Private meeting with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
5th October 2008, Mrs. Gandhi’s residence, New Delhi
Almost a one hour meeting where there was a sharing of communal concerns. Thich Nhat Hanh offered full support from the Plum village community in any way sought by Mrs. Gandhi who also felt that Ahimsa Trust’s focus on mindfulness in education as a seed programme for sustainable community benefit was an important focus
Engaged Buddhism and Women’s Activism
Half Day of Mindfulness with Women social activists
6th October 2008, Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti
- Sangat Trust
- Gandhi Smriti
- Darshan Samiti
Programme Details:
Two of the senior most nuns of the group, Sister Chan Khong and Sister Annabal, led a half day of mindfulness with about 20 social activists most of who were women. Both the nuns have had a lot of experience working in the social sector and talked specifically on how to handle burn out and sustain one’s compassion without becoming cynical. The day included a question and answer session, meditation, eating and walking meditation. Kamla Bhasin, one of the people who heads Sangat Trust, Irpinder Bhatia, Bindiya Thakur, Vidya Rao were some of the people present for the session.
‘Meditation and Healing’ Talk for the Medical Community
6th October 2008, Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti
Partner Organisations:
- World Academy of Spiritual Sciences
- Gangaram hospital
- Max India
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Programme Details:
World Academy of Spiritual Sciences, Gangaram hospital, Max India and All India Institute of Medical Sciences organised this talk at the prestigious AIIMS auditorium attended by around 400 members, most of them eminent doctors including AIIMS Dean in chair and Dr.S. K. Sama.
Public talk - ‘Prabuddha Bharat’
8th October 2008, Dikshabhumi, Nagpur
- Dikshabumi Committee
Programme details:
Thich Nhat Hanh gave a talk for 45 minutes to about 200000 people who had gathered at Dikshabhumi to commemorate the day Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956. Governor Gawai from Kerala, Bhiku Sasai and other eminent Buddhists of India and abroad attended. The rest of the sangha visited Diksha bhoomi the next day and introduced various practices to many thousands of people.
Public talk - Engaged Buddhism
9th October 2008, Nagaloka, Nagpur
Partner organisations:
- Trilokya Baudh Maha Sahaiyika Gana (TBMSG),
- Nagarjuna Institute,
- Malini Srinivasan,
Programme details:
Thich Nhat Hanh gave a talk to about 5000 Buddhists and others.
2 day retreat - Meditation and Social Engagement
9th-10th October, Nagaloka, Nagpur
Partner organisations:
- Trilokya Baudh Maha Sahaiyika Gana (TBMSG),
- Nagarjuna Institute,
- Malini Srinivasan,
Programme details:
Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastic sangha led a 2 day retreat for about 300 Dalit social activist and workers, Buddhists and the general public. A children’s programme was also organised and led by the monks and nuns accompanying Thich Nhat Hanh. For details on the Nagpur programme, a report is available on request.
Sankashya – 3 day retreat
12th-14th October, Sankashya, UP
- Youth Buddhist Society, India,
- Pritam Singh
Programme details:
About 2000 people from the villages around Sankashya gathered for a three day retreat led by the monks and nuns of Plum Village. They heard talks, practiced sitting, walking and eating meditation and learnt different practices such as deep relaxation, touching the earth. Many of the participants took the 5 mindfulness trainings. On the 14th, Thich Nhat Hanh arrived by helicopter on the 14th and gave a talk to about 5000 people who had gathered. A detailed report is available upon request.Public Talk - Understanding our Mind
13th October 2008, Sports and Cultural Club, Sector 15A, Noida
- The Study Circle, Sports and Cultural Club, Sector 15 A, Noida
Programme details:
About 800 people attended the talk which was held in one of the halls of the Sports and Cultural Club in Sector 15A, Noida and was organised in collaboration with the Study Circle of the Club. The session started with some meditation, songs and chanting. The representative of the Club and the RWA, Mandeep Singh Vinayak welcomed Thich Nhat Hanh, after which Dharmacharya Shantum Seth introduced him. Thich Nhat Hanh gave a one hour talk focussing on Buddhist psychology. Thereafter there was a question and answer session which went on for another 45 minutes.
Talk in Parliament - Leading with Courage and Compassion
17th October, Parliament annex
One of the prestigious highlight of the visit was Thich Nhat Hanh’s address to parliamentarians with the honourable Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr. Som Nath Chatterjee in chair. The event was hosted in parliament annexe and attended by many dignitaries like Dr. Karan Singh, Santosh Mohan Deb, Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah, Priyanka and Robert Vadera, Navin and Shalu Jindal, other members of parliament and prominent citizens like Justice Liela Seth, OP Jain, William Bissel etc. The talk was on deep listening skills after which a request was made by attendees to start a regular training plan in parliament based on these teachings which is being followed up with the Speaker’s office.
Private meeting with Rahul Gandhi
18th October, Gandhi Darshan guest house, Rajghat, Delhi
Programme details:
Warm and personal one-on-one discussion between the two dignitaries, Rahul Gandhi showed interest in training for congress workers based on Thich Nhat Hanh’s Mindfulness teachings
Retreat - Living Together in Harmony
15th-19th October 2008, Teen Murti House
Partner organisation:
- Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML),
- Ministry of Culture,
- Government of NCT of Delhi,
- Spice Foundation,
- Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti
Programme details:
This 5 day retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh (3 evenings and a weekend) and the nuns and monks of Plum village was attended by 750 people at the Teen Murti House. Each participant had to register and commit to attending all 5 days. Among the people who participated, there was the Director of the NMML, Ms. Mridula Mukherjee, Navin Jindal, Priyanka and Robert Vadra, academics, teachers and people from all walks of life. The three evenings focussed on a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, walking meditation, eating meditation and the introduction of practices such as Deep Relaxation and the 5 Mindfulness Trainings. On the weekend, besides the above, discussion groups were formed, Beginning Anew , Touching the Earth and tea meditation was introduced. A children’s programme was offered on the weekend where different NGOs were invited along with the participants children and the monastics had a 2 day session with them. The entire retreat was an amazing success as was revealed in the detailed feedback forms which people took the trouble to fill up and return to Ahimsa Trust and NMML.
Visit to Delhi and Noida Schools
3rd, 6th, 7th, 15th, 16th and 17th October 2008
Programme details:
About 20 monks and nuns visited a number of schools in Delhi and Noida for 3 to 4 hour sessions with students and teachers. The Shri Ram School in Vasant Vihar (3 days), Vasant Valley school (2 days), Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, (2 days), Step by Step School Noida (2 days), Path ways School (a full day session) and a 2 day session at Teen Murti House where children from various NGOs working with street children were present.
International Conclave - ‘Path of Awakening’
20th-29th October 2008, Sarnath/Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda
Partner organisations:
- Tibetan Institute of Higher Studies,
- Maha bodhi Society of India,
- Nava Nalanda Mahavihara,Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda,
- Spice Foundation,
- ICCR,
- NACDOR,
- CADAM,
- ICCR,
- Minstry of Culture,
- Bihar Department of Tourism
Programme details:
300 international participants travelled with Thich Nhat Hanh to Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Nalanda and Rajgir over 10 days where he gave a number of public lectures and visited the Buddhist sites. The participants came from different countries in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia and included professionals, journalist, doctors etc. A detailed report with annexures is available upon request.Varanasi
Bodhgaya
Rajgir
No coming, No going
30th October 2008, Sankskriti Kendra Anandgram, New Delhi
Partner organization:
- Sankskriti Kendra
A sharing of the entire trip was organised at Sanskriti Kendra, where all partner organisations, patrons, volunteers and friends who had been involved in organising the whole trip were invited. Thich Nhat Hanh, some of the monastics and the volunteers all shared their experiences. Thich Nhat Hanh felt that the journey to India was no less than a ‘miracle’ and urged the sanghas to continue the wonderful work together. This culminated with a slide show on the trip followed by a farewell dinner.
