
With just 17 stand-alone villas - each with its own private entrance and garden - and lush grounds with stone paths, the property looks like a miniature traditional Vietnamese village.
#FULL MOON VILLAGE FULL#
Happy 30th Anniversary.Tucked away on a small country road outside of Mui Ne, the Full Moon Village has an intimate, serene feel. We are so grateful to Thay and Plum Village for supporting us on this path of love. The Full Moon Ceremony, along with daily meditation together, the Peace Treaty, the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings, our teachers, and our Sangha (the Washington Mindfulness Community), brings stability and peace to our family. The words “understanding is the very foundation of love,” recited by family members feeling deep conflict with one another, brought enough peace into our midst to hold off actions that might have further divided us and increased our suffering. We invited my brothers, sister-in- law, and other niece to join us. The night before the memorial service, the full moon appeared over the ocean and reminded me that it was time to recite the Five Awarenesses. Additionally, as the family gathered, secrets were revealed that possibly could have led to violence. This sudden death, caused by lack of medical insurance for high blood pressure medication, brought great sadness to our family. Our monthly vow renewal was particularly powerful for us when we were in Miami to memorialize my niece, who had passed away at age thirty-eight from a brain aneurism. Our love for one another helps transform our ancestors, our children, their children, and the world. We are always loved and supported by our ancestors, our children, their children, and the worldwide Sangha.
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We remember that joy, peace, freedom, and harmony are possible in any moment. Our deepening awareness helps us stop, breathe, and look at one another with more love and understanding. These deep truths have seeped into our consciousness with our monthly renewal, allowing us to wake up more quickly when challenged by blaming or becoming angry at one another.


As the full moon rose over the trees, children exclaimed and songs burst forth from hundreds of people from dozens of countries. After several beautiful talks on love by Thay, a signing of the Peace Treaty, and a Beginning Anew Ceremony in our large family group, we couples gathered in the evening around the lotus pond. The leader of our Avatamsaka family group, Shantum Seth, suggested that all the couples in our group renew their wedding vows each month on the full moon. Ten years ago this summer, my husband and I learned a mindfulness practice at Plum Village that has since nourished our home and our marriage. By Joann Malone and Patrick Smith calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh photo by David Nelson
