Don’t just do something, sit there! – a message from the Plum Village fourfold sangha

Dear friends,

As you may know, our sisters and brothers of Bat Nha in Vietnam have been violently evicted from their monastery. They are being viciously harassed by the police who are trying to break up and disperse the Sangha. But the monks and nuns assert their right to stay together. Without a Sangha we are alone and vulnerable, like a tiger which has left the mountain.
[See Press Release]

In a spirit of support and solidarity, we are organizing several actions world-wide in order to help raise awareness of the situation.

Our goal is not to condemn the instigators of the violence. We know that our enemies are not people; they are greed, hatred and ignorance.

We can do far more together than individually. In the following days we are planning to organize a number of events in order to help our Vietnamese sisters and brothers. You can help in various ways:

1. Act
A day of meditation is being organized on Sunday, October 4th everywhere in the world. Other actions, such as walks for peace, will follow. Please keep checking this website to keep up on events and contact your local Sangha.

2. Pass on information.
Please copy and forward information to your various contacts. You can also post this call on appropriate internet forums (e.g., those linked to Buddhism, spirituality, personal development, human rights, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

3. Share your talents.
If you would like to contribute your talents, please contact one of the following email addresses:

- if you are a webmaster, please contact: helpbatnha.web@gmail.com
- if you can translate, please contact: helpbatnha.translate@gmail.com
- if you have free time to offer for other tasks, please contact: helpbatnha.goodwill@gmail.com
All propositions are welcome. Simply state them and we will do our best to answer you.

4. Don’t worry.
Remember to smile and breathe. Generating peace in our hearts is the best thing we can do for our brothers and sisters in Vietnam, and for the world.
A lotus for you.
The Plum Village fourfold sangha
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8 Responses to “Don’t just do something, sit there! – a message from the Plum Village fourfold sangha”

  1. Laurel Houghton says:

    Dear Sangha,

    It seems right to let go of establishing a monastic presence in Vietnam for now and just protect the nuns and monks.

    Is there anyway that we can find out if Thay would support Getting them out of the country?

    Since Refugee status can be very difficult, and many of them are underage, would it be easier to either adopt or sponsor them?

    (I’m sure we can volunteers for this…and yes, I volunteer)

    Is there an immigration attorney connected to the sangha? Or perhaps someone in the Tibetan refugee community knows about this.

    I would think that we need to hear from Thay.
    Is he speaking about this?

    May this terrible Mud strengthen the Practice of the young monks and nuns.

    May we find Clear Means to help them.

    Laurel

    True Virtue and Harmony

  2. Matt says:

    If you live near Denver, Colorado, USA consider attending a Day of Care and Love, on Sunday October 11, to support the monastics of Bat Nha Monastery. See http://cdcmonastery.org/visiting.html for more information.

  3. Lauren says:

    Today, our sangha sat and walked in peace and freedom — breathing in joy and breathing out happiness (just as we are taught by our teacher) and as we did this, we kept the brothers and sisters of Bat Nha in our hearts. They sat with us. They took steps with us. How pleasant to sit and walk as a sangha and support peace within ourselves and the world.

  4. Lan Ha says:

    During the past few days, I was carried away by the shocking news in Bat Nha, and in trying to do “something” to support them, I lost my inner peace. Therefore I really appreciate the message from the fourfold sangha of PV. It helps me to come back to my true self. I have been reminded that generating peace in my heart is the action I need to take immediately. Thank you for your message.
    True Treasure of Merit (Chan Duc Tang)

  5. Nguyen Huynh Thuat says:

    May all brothers ans sisters, all beings be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.
    May all be safe and free from injury.
    May all be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.
    With Love and Peace.

  6. [...] Don’t Just Do Something — Sit There! Jump to Comments Global Meditation Action [...]

  7. LilyChanTuTieu says:

    Although many of us are attending Thay’s retreat at Blue Cliff, to support our brothers and sisters at Bat Nha, the Mindfulness Practice Center of Montreal, 5867 St-Hubert Street, will have a special sitting meditation on Sunday, October 4th at 2pm. Hoping that the situation will ameliorate soon!
    LilyChanTuTieu (True Compassionate Smile)

  8. David Gritz, aka Truly Holding Compassion says:

    Dear Thay, brothers and sisters,
    Today my wife, daughter and I all sat together, at the suggestion of my wife when I told her about Bhat Nha and the Global Sitting. This was the first time we have sat together! It was wonderful and nourishing for all.
    With bows and gratitude for our practice together!
    David Gritz
    Chan Tri Bi, Truly Holding Compassion

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