Touching Our Spiritual Roots Together Through Language, Culture, and Practice
Our Story
Dear Beloved Thầy, Dear Brothers and Sisters, and Dear Beloved Sangha around the world,
During the recent retreat celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Order of Interbeing at Plum Village in France, many international members of the Order of Interbeing shared a heartfelt aspiration: to learn Vietnamese. Their wish was not simply to learn another language, but to touch more deeply the spiritual homeland of our beloved Thầy and to better understand the cultural roots from which the Plum Village tradition has grown.
Inspired by this beautiful aspiration, we are delighted to introduce To Be Vietnamese, a free online community dedicated to learning Vietnamese through mindfulness, culture, and friendship. Together, we hope to cultivate another bridge of understanding, connection, and interbeing within our worldwide Plum Village family.
Our Aspiration
To nurture a global community where Vietnamese and international practitioners learn from one another through mindfulness practice, the Vietnamese language, culture, and the teachings of Thầy.
Learning Vietnamese is more than acquiring vocabulary or grammar. It is a way of touching our spiritual roots, understanding the conditions that gave rise to Thầy's teachings, and discovering the beauty of Vietnamese culture as an expression of mindfulness, compassion, and interbeing
Learning Vietnamese is more than acquiring vocabulary or grammar. It is a way of touching our spiritual roots, understanding the conditions that gave rise to Thầy's teachings, and discovering the beauty of Vietnamese culture as an expression of mindfulness, compassion, and interbeing
Our Learning Journey
• Platform: Discord (Online)
• Cost: Completely free
• Format: 10-week learning journeys (one 90 minute session per week)
• Support: Learn alongside dedicated volunteer Vietnamese companions
• Cost: Completely free
• Format: 10-week learning journeys (one 90 minute session per week)
• Support: Learn alongside dedicated volunteer Vietnamese companions
Learning Together
• Language & Practice: Learn practical Vietnamese for daily life and Plum Village practices, including key mindfulness vocabulary.
• Dharma Roots: Read simple passages from Thầy’s books, poems, and gāthās in their original language.
• Cultural Connection: Explore the history and traditions that shaped Plum Village tradition.
• True Community: Build mindful friendships that transcend borders and embody the spirit of Interbeing.
• Dharma Roots: Read simple passages from Thầy’s books, poems, and gāthās in their original language.
• Cultural Connection: Explore the history and traditions that shaped Plum Village tradition.
• True Community: Build mindful friendships that transcend borders and embody the spirit of Interbeing.
Thank you for bringing your aspiration and your presence to this community. May we continue to learn, practice, and grow together—touching our spiritual roots, nourishing brotherhood and sisterhood, and bringing the spirit of Interbeing to life.
With deep gratitude and love,
The “To Be Vietnamese” Founding Team
The “To Be Vietnamese” Founding Team