GO AS A RIVER
We are on a mission to build a mindfulness center in the tradition of Plum Village, in Tiny, Ontario, just 1.5 hours from Toronto. Through Plum Village practices, we aim to foster a community of peace and harmony.
.jpg)
This photo was taken at the first Day of Mindfulness held at the centre on April 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Rob Walsh, Wake Up Toronto
FEATURED
On April 13th, 2025, we held our very first Day of Mindfulness at Go As A River Mindful Living Community in Tiny, Ontario, supported by monastics from Blue Cliff Monastery who guided the day’s activities. It was a meaningful gathering filled with joy, presence, and connection. We are deeply grateful for your presence, encouragement, and, above all, your wholehearted support.
📅 Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
🕔 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
📍 Location: 2185 Stavebank Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1T3, Canada
🌱 This is a meaningful opportunity to support the creation of a Plum Village-style Practice Center, spreading mindfulness and compassion in our community. Please contact phuong1810@yahoo.com to register as a volunteer.
FIRST OPEN HEART LETTER
Please click on image to enlarge.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya,
Dear respected Venerable Teachers,
Dear beloved community of practitioners and friends on the path,
Forty years ago, our teacher, Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh of Plum Village, also known as Thầy, set foot in Canada to share the Dharma, aspiring to establish a mindfulness practice center here. Over the decades, he returned many times to teach, the last time was in 2013. After years of heartfelt longing for a place where people could return to cultivate peace, transform their suffering, nourish happiness for themselves, their families, and society, and build a sanctuary for younger generations to reconnect with their roots, “Go as a River” (Đi Như Một Dòng Sông) was founded to collectively build a Toronto practice center in the tradition of Plum Village.
On October 29, 2024, monastics from Blue Cliff Monastery, NY, Thailand and other regions came and led a deeply successful retreat at SAMAC Camp, one hour from Toronto. This retreat brought joy, peace, and healing to many practitioners from near and far. The monastics reaffirmed the decades-old aspiration for a Canadian practice center. Their guidance and blessings, alongside the energy of local practitioners, have strengthened our collective aspiration.
Together with monastics and the “Go as a River” group, we explored many properties around Toronto with a trusted real estate agent. After much searching, we found a suitable 32-acre forested land by a lake—a serene, spacious landscape ideal for a mindfulness center. The property includes two spacious heritage houses that can accommodate over 100 practitioners.
After consulting monastics, experts, and conducting thorough due diligence, we submitted an offer on November 18, 2024, for CAD $1.85 million.
We are deeply grateful for the guidance of senior monastics and the generous support of donors. Every contribution, large or small, is vital to manifesting this dream—a sanctuary for collective practice that benefits present and future generations.
May all monastics be at ease, their wisdom shining brightly.
May all practitioners and their families enjoy peace and health day and night.
A lotus in bud 🙏🏽
Go As A River Mindful Community
As a river, all the individual drops of water arrive together at the ocean.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
About Our Beloved Teacher
Thích Nhất Hạnh is a renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, and peace activist, recognized for his teachings on mindfulness, compassion, and the art of living in the present moment. Thích Nhất Hạnh is a key figure in promoting the practice of "engaged Buddhism", which encourages Buddhists to actively engage in social, political, and environmental issues, aligning mindfulness practice with positive action in the world.
He founded the Plum Village Tradition, a global community of practitioners committed to mindfulness and peace. His teachings emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings and encourage people to live with awareness, joy, and love.
Thích Nhất Hạnh's legacy continues to inspire us and countless individuals and communities worldwide.
ABOUT THE LAND
Tiny Township, Ontario, is located on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg. The new center spans 32 acres and is just 1.5 hours north of Toronto.
YOUR SUPPORT HELPS BUILD COMMUNITY
Thanks to the generosity of donors and lenders, we have been able to steward the purchase of this land. This is a significant undertaking, and we will continue seeking support to repay our lenders and cover ongoing expenses such as maintenance, property taxes, renovations, and construction.
During this time, we hope to engage our local communities by organizing Days of Mindfulness, retreats, and inviting monastics and lay Dharma teachers to guide and support our practice.
We look forward to walking this path together with you.