Celebrating the New Japanese Edition of Thich Nhat Hanhs How To Love
One-Day Mindfulness Retreat in Kita-Kamakura
at the Kenchoji Temple
"Love is Every Breath"
What does it mean to love?
Love is the capacity to care for, protect, and nurture someone.
If we are unable to do this for ourselves, love cannot truly be sustained.
But when we are able to truly love ourselves, that capacity expands without limit, and our relationship with the world becomes gentler and more peaceful.
In Buddhism, love begins with caring for and loving oneself.
Without neglecting yourself, let us learn how to gently cultivate your own happiness.
—Everything begins with loving yourself.
We warmly invite you to join us for a one-day mindfulness retreat in this spirit.
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, who gently taught the essence of love and helped bring mindfulness to the world, has inspired a collection of his teachings on love, published this spring in a long-awaited new Japanese edition, Aisuru Koto (How to Love), by Kawade Shobo Shinsha. The English edition is available here.
To celebrate this publication, we will host a one-day mindfulness retreat where you can experience the energy of love and learn how to cultivate it.
*Approximately half of the royalties from this book will be used to support the activities of Plum Village.
The retreat will be led by Sister Kinh Nghiem, a senior dharma teacher and beloved disciple of the late zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. She will be visiting Japan from Deer Park Monastery in California.
She ordained at the age of 14 in 1998 and has since dedicated her life to monastic practice. She has taught at mindfulness practice centers, as well as at universities and in corporate settings. A seasoned teacher, she brings a fresh, warm presence, filled with love and a gentle sense of humor.
The venue is Kencho-ji Temple, one of the principal temples of the Rinzai Zen tradition, renowned as the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. For over 750 years, it has been carefully preserved as a place of practice and continues to serve as a spiritual refuge for many.
Filled with the quiet beauty of Japanese Zen tradition passed down through generations, and graced by the changing seasons, it is a place that gently brings peace and calm to the heart.
One-Day Activities
In addition to clear and practical talks on how to cultivate love and mindfulness in daily life, you will experience mindfulness meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. This is a gentle and accessible practice, suitable even for beginners, allowing you to rest in the stillness and ease of the present moment. Practices will include eating meditation, deep relaxation, and walking meditation.
Under the guidance of a trusted teacher, practicing together with others can deepen your concentration and sense of happiness, while fostering a feeling of connection and creating a joyful, enriching experience.
Alongside the main program, a mindfulness program for children will also be offered. This program will be led by Sister Phu Nghiem, who will also be visiting from Deer Park Monastery.
In addition to leading children’s programs at the monastery, she is involved in developing mindfulness programs for children at universities in the United States. She is a dedicated and experienced teacher specializing in mindfulness for children.
Mindfulness Community
The Heart of Kamakura, Yokohama, and Tokyo Sangha is a community-based group where people come together to learn and practice mindfulness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, in both Japanese and English.
People from all walks of life—families, English speakers, and individuals of all backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions—are welcome to practice together.
When we meditate with others, the energy of collective mindfulness helps awaken greater happiness and wisdom within us.
Participation Fee:
Adults: ¥5,000
Junior & Senior High School Students: ¥2,800
Children: ¥2,500
A plant-based lunch for eating meditation is included.
・An additional temple admission fee applies (Adults and high school students: ¥500; elementary and junior high school students: ¥200). Please pay this fee individually at the
entrance.
・For the children’s program, we recommend that children under the age of 6 participate together with a parent or guardian.
・If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please feel free to contact us.
・Please note that JCB and Diners Club credit cards are temporarily unavailable. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.
April 26 Mindfulness Retreat (Adult) Includes a plant-based lunch
Includes a plant-based bento lunch
￥5,000
(税込)
April 26 Mindfulness Retreat (Ages 13–17 / High School Students)
Includes a plant-based bento lunch
￥2,800
(税込)
April 26 Mindfulness Retreat (Ages 12 and under)
Includes a plant-based children’s bento lunch
￥2,500
(税込)
About Donations
To support the practice and teaching opportunities of the monastics who share these teachings, and to help nurture and sustain a space where everyone in the community can practice mindfulness, we would be grateful for your donation, if you are able, in a way that feels comfortable for you.
A light blue donation box will be available at the venue.
"Love Is Every Breath"
Calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh
“Love is a living, breathing thing. There is no need to force it to grow in a particular direction. If we start by being easy and gentle with ourselves, we will find it is just there inside of us, solid and healing.”
From How To Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
This event is hosted by the Heart of Kamakura, Yokohama & Tokyo Sangha.