Annual Retreats

(updated on September 2nd, 2007)

Summer Retreat (please click here to read more information)

A time for families and friends to practice joyfully together, to create peace in themselves and in the world. It is also a time to water our cultural roots and express gratitude and joy in several festivals: the Rose Festival, Ancestors' Remembrance Day, Hiroshima Day and the Full Moon Festival. You may want to bring favorite recipes, book, musical instruments, etc. that carry special meaning in your culture.

A partial program for children between six and 15 years of age is offered during this retreat. A group of staff will help coordinate activities with the parents; other interested adults are welcome. Unfortunately we are cannot care for children under 6. It is recommended that the parent comes with his/her partner or a friend so to be able to join some activities. In the past retreats, many parents were able to coordinate childcare among themselves in order to participate in most of the adults' programs.

Winter Retreat

A time for studying and deepening our understanding of mindfulness practice, and for applying the practice in our daily activities. The Winter Retreat at Plum Village is a monastic retreat for our resident monks and nuns. It is equivalent to the traditional 3-month Rain Retreat, which has existed since the time of the Buddha. In this place, monks and nuns gathered to practice as a sangha. However, monks and nuns from other traditions, centers, as well as lay practitioners, who are eager to deepen their practice, are warmly invited to join us during this retreat.

Due to the specific focus of the Winter Retreat, children's programs will not available and those under 12 years of age are encouraged to attend our annual Summer Opening.

Christmas and New Year Retreat

During the Christmas and New Year Holiday Season, Plum Village opens its doors to welcome our friends. The holiday retreat is two weeks long, it starts on Friday December 21st (year 2007) and ends on Friday January 4th (year 2008).
(For registration form, you can download under Microsoft document or PDF.)

Francophone Retreat

Plum Village holds retreats with specific teaching for specific audiences regularly, like the annual 7-day Francophone retreat for French speaking people.

Vietnamese Retreat

Plum Village holds retreats with specific teaching for specific audiences regularly, like the annual Vietnamese speaking retreat.

21 Day June Retreat for experienced practitioners (Once every two years)

A twenty-one day retreat takes place every other year in June. However, in the year 2008, we have have a 16 Day Retreat in May, located in Hanoi, Vietnam
for more information click here