First Day of Mindfulness | Sunday, April 13, 2025
On April 13th, 2025, we held our very first successful Day of Mindfulness at Go As A River Mindful Living Community in Tiny, Ontario, with the loving support of monastics from Blue Cliff Monastery who guided the day’s activities.
We were blessed with the most ideal weather. The day began with a sitting meditation and chant, followed by Touching the Earth led by the monastics. A hearty breakfast was shared amongst the community, after which we listened to a Dharma talk by Venerable Minh Tuan.
We enjoyed walking meditation among the trees, accompanied by children and their parents, embraced by the soft breeze and warm sunlight. Afterward, we held an intimate and meaningful ceremony to greet, honour, and accept the land—bringing to heart the teachings from the Discourse on Love.
We concluded with a picnic lunch and took photos to commemorate this special day.
Thank-You Letter
(English to follow)
THƯ TRI ÂN
Nam mô Shakyamunaye Buddhaya,
Chúng con kính bạch Sư Ông
Chúng con kính bạch quý Ôn, quý Sư Bà, quý thầy, quý sư cô cùng toàn thể đại chúng và quý vị mạnh thường quân.
Cuối tuần vừa qua ngày 12- 13/4/2025 chúng ta đã có những ngày hạnh phúc bên nhau ăn mừng sự biểu hiện của Trung Tâm Mới tại thành phố Tiny- Ontario- Canada. Chúng con xin gửi đến tất cả mọi người tin vui là chúng ta đã có một trung tâm tu học sau bao nhiêu tháng ngày mong ước. Chúng ta đã chính thức có được mảnh đất bình yên, mái nhà chung cho mọi người trở về nương tựa.
Chúng con kính xin gửi lòng tri ân sâu sắc tới quý Ôn, quý Sư Bà, quý thầy, quý sư cô đã dìu dắt chúng con thời gian qua. Tri ân Quý Thầy tu viện Bích Nham đã có mặt chứng minh và hướng dẫn sự tu học cho chúng con trong ngày đầu tiên ấy. Đó là dấu ấn và là hướng đi của Trung Tâm, là ước mong trải dài hơn 40 năm qua của chúng con.
Xin cho chúng con được gửi lời tri ơn tới tất cả mọi người đã tin tưởng, nâng đỡ và hy sinh rất nhiều cho chúng con, mặc dù chúng con còn rất nhiều vụng về để ước mơ của mọi người được thành hiện thực.
“ … công trình xây dựng ngàn đời
nhưng công trình em xem đã được ngàn đời hoàn tất…” -trích Bướm bay vườn cải hoa vàng
- Thơ THẦY
Công trình đã được hoàn tất bằng tình thương yêu hiểu biết và bằng những trái tim thiện lành.
Thành kính tri ân .
sen búp: Chúng con GO AS A RIVER
LETTER OF GRATITUDE
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya,
We respectfully bow to our beloved Teacher,
We respectfully bow to the Venerables, Brothers, Sisters, the entire community, and our generous benefactors,
This past weekend, April 12–13, 2025, we spent joyful days together celebrating the manifestation of the new practice center in Tiny, Ontario, Canada. We are happy to share the good news that we now have a practice center after many seasons of planning and visioning. We officially have a peaceful piece of land—a shared home where all can return and take refuge.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Venerables, and monastic brothers, and sisters who have guided us along this journey. We are especially thankful to the Brothers from Blue Cliff Monastery who were present, bearing witness and offering teachings on that very first day. Their presence marked the beginning and direction of this Center—a dream we’ve carried for more than 40 years.
We also want to send our heartfelt thanks to everyone who trusted, supported, and sacrificed so much for us, even though we are still learning and growing in many ways. You helped make everyone’s dream a reality.
“...a construction project for thousands of lifetimes
but the one you see, my dear, was already completed thousands of lifetimes ago…” - from Bướm bay vườn cải hoa vàng, poetry by Thầy
This project has been completed with love, understanding, and kindheartedness.
With sincere gratitude,
Budding lotus,
We—GO AS A RIVER
Photos from the Day of Mindfulness
Friends from afar drove early morning to join the morning sitting, sutra reading and touchings of the Earth.
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We were invited to touch the earth deeply with each step—walking as the first of many on this land, offering our peaceful presence and sowing seeds of mindfulness for all who will come to practice.
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We gathered to honour the land with reverence and gratitude.
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Blue Cliff Monastery generously gifted the centre with an original calligraphy by Thầy: Go As A River.
Ông Tư Đô (Chân Viên Thành), one of the eldest members of the Toronto Lay Sangha, visited the centre before the Day of Mindfulness to celebrate this next step forward with us.
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A tender intergenerational celebration, with Dharma Teachers joyfully holding imaginary Lamps of Transmission for newly ordained member, Elli Weisbaum.
L to R: Chân Hảo (Tuyền), Chân Pháp Duệ (Phương),
True Blue Stream (Elli Weisbaum)
We were treated to a delicious cake lovingly offered by friends!
Some more pictures of long-time practitioners from the community.
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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.
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.