Four Plum Village monastics were invited to participate in this year’s Countdown Summit to COP26 organized by TED at Edinburgh, from October 12-15, 2021.
Brother Phap Huu, Brother Phap Linh, Sister Lang Nghiem, and Sister True Dedication went to offer Thay’s teachings and practices at the TED Countdown event in Edinburgh ahead of the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow. They offered meditation sessions, workshops on the art of deep listening, and a special session on “How to Be a Good Ancestor”, with author Roman Krznaric and Rev. Yearwood. Sr Hien Nghiem offered one of the closing TED talks on the main stage.
It was a real honor and a powerful experience for the monastics to bring spiritual practice, groundedness, and presence to all the politicians, scientists, activists, thought leaders, and business leaders present, in particular Thay’s extraordinary student Cristiana Figueres. The monastics also spent time with COP leader Nigel Topping and the legendary soul that is the actor and comedian Rainn Wilson.
They also shared a wonderful book event gathering with our Edinburgh sangha friends to celebrate the publication of Thay’s book Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet.
Two monastic Dharma Teachers are at COP this week, continuing to offer our spiritual support, presence, practice, and teachings.
We would like to thank our beloved sangha for your continued support and togetherness.
We’d like to thank TED and photographers Gilberto Tadday and Ryan Lash for their kind permission to share their photos here
Sister True Dedication speaks at Session 7 at TED Countdown Summit on October 15, 2021. Photo: Ryan Lash / TED 
Host Lindsay Levin introduces Sister True Dedication before her talk. Photo: Ryan Lash / TED 
“How to be a Good Ancestor” workshop at TED Countdown Summit. Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
Sisterr Lang Nghiem with Rev. Yearwood on panel for the workshop “How to be a Good Ancestor'” Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
“The Power of Presence: Transformational Speaking and Listening” at TED Countdown Summit. Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
“The Power of Presence: Transformational Speaking and Listening” at TED Countdown Summit. Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
“The Power of Presence: Transformational Speaking and Listening” at TED Countdown Summit. Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
“The Power of Presence: Transformational Speaking and Listening” at TED Countdown Summit. Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
“The Power of Presence: Transformational Speaking and Listening” at TED Countdown Summit. Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED 
A legendary moment! Our Plum Village monastics meet Al Gore.
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