Every year all the brothers and sisters from the Plum Village centers in Europe look forward to a monastic retreat together. This is a chance for us to build brotherhood and sisterhood, and deepen our practice after a full year of offering retreats to people all around the world. In March 2021, due to the coronavirus, only brothers and sisters in France could join the retreat in Upper Hamlet.
Please enjoy some photos of the retreat.
The house of brotherhood and sisterhood in the French countryside 
The organizing team eagerly waiting for our beloved sisters. 
New Hamlet sisters arriving at Upper Hamlet 
Sr. Sang Nghiem from Maison de L’Inspir was warmly welcomed by a bunch of canola flowers. 
The happiness of elders to see each other. 
As I carefully sweep the ground of enlightenment,… 
…a tree of understanding springs up from the Earth. 
A moment marveling at the beauty of life 
The powerful chanting energy of the big sangha 
Dharma talks from our elder brothers and sisters 
Our young brother and sister were interviewed about their happiness and difficulty in the sangha. 
A new novice asked her question about the practice and how to adapt to monastic life. 
In the spirit of learning from each other, even our eldest sister went up to ask a question to the panel of her younger brothers and sisters. 
Gathering the collective energy before practicing walking meditation 
Walking in the sunny morning on the Legendary path to Son Ha. 
With each step we enjoy the spring flowers and the green forest. 
A calm moment with Thay in each of us. 
“Love is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery 
Thay is also present in the dining hall with us. 
What vegetable should I cook today? 
The elders cooked together to offer happiness to the sangha. 
Home-made sourdough bread… 
…in a traditional wood oven… 
yummy!!! 
A ceremony to celebrate our Grandfather teacher’s memorial day. 
A moment of eating together as a big spiritual family 
Music and poetry meditation 
Playing is one of the four pillars of monastic life. The other three are practice, study and service. 
A culture festival to enjoy our diversity. 
With French crepe.. 
and petanque ball game 
A Mexican monk in Plum Village 
Italian cafe with live music 
The brilliant colors of central Vietnam 
A tea bamboo shop from the North of Vietnam 
The traditional costume of Vietnam with a touch of modern accessory. 
The bamboo bridge of southern Vietnam challenges your step. 
Japanese matcha 
A model of the Root Temple gate 
A Vietnamese traditional game 
A speciality from central Vietnam 
Plum Village cup 
Every team is a winner.
More photos here
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