Thich Nhat Hanh
Chris is very strongly affiliated with the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. He is an ordained lay member of the Order of Interbeing.
Thich Nhat Hanh is . . .
. . . a meditation master, Buddhist monk, poet and peace activist from Vietnam. During the war he organized thousands of young people to bring relief and rebuilding to villages. As an exile from his homeland he brought mindfulness teachings across the globe, making Buddhism relevant to daily life in the modern world.
HIs teachings are marked by clarity, gentleness, precision, an inclusive integration of all the major schools of Buddhism, application to family work service and activisim, a strong flavor of interfaith dialogue.
Core practices include breath awareness, walking meditation, eating meditation, enjoying the sound of the bell, deep listening and a commitment to ethical conduct and engagement in the real life of community through the 5 Mindfulness Trainings.
Full info about his teachings and many programs with his monastics and lay teachers can be found at the website of Plum Village the main center of our worldwide community.
Blooming Lilac Sangha is . . .
. . . the local community of mindful living centered around the practices of Thich Nhat Hanh in the Rochester NY area of western New York. Chris is a member of the Sangha Caretaking Council.
We organize a full schedule of regular group practice:
- weekly Sunday meditations 4 - 6 pm
- weekly Tuesday morning, 7:15 - 8:15
- weekly Thursday morning, 7:15 - 8:15
- monthly book discussions with meditation and "dharma sharing" 1st and 3rd Thursdays
- monthly recitation and "dharma discussion" with the 14 Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing, 4th Thursdays
- monthly days of mindfulness
- "second body" sharing with a dharma friend between meetings
- 3 to 5 day retreats with teachers from Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition several times per year
For more about the Order of Interbeing, its origin serving the victims of war, and the 14 ethical practices of the Mindfulness Trainings,
https://orderofinterbeing.org/
Blue Cliff Monastery
. . . is the nearest community of monks and nuns in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition in the Catskills Mountains of New York. All are welcome to join their programs and retreats. More info www.bluecliffmonastery.org/
Some of My Contributions
Here are some special experiences or programs which I have co-created with fellow members of the Blooming Lilac Sangha:
Our annual Ceremony for the Deceased
Vietnamese New Year Celebration with "Oracle Practice" and discernment of our aspirations in the year ahead
Meditation in the Parks
Letting Your Teacher Live in You
with "gathas" or mindfulness verses
Mentoring Aspirants for Ordination
Wedding Ceremony