Elephant Journal recently received a plea for help for Thich Nhat Hanh and his Bat Nha Monastery in Vietnam. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen master, poet, and peace activist was exiled from Vietnam nearly 40 years ago for his peace activism. During his exiled time in Plum Village, France he founded a monastic community where he “teaches, writes, gardens and works to help refugees. He conducts mindfulness retreats worldwide, teaching and practicing non-violence and compassion.” Although invited back to Vietnam in 2005, the Vietnamese government still sees Thich Nhat Hanh as a threat, for reasons unknown. The government continually threatens to shut down the Bat Nha Monastery founded in Vietnam under his ideologies and teachings which houses over 400 monastics. 

It gets worse, not only are they threatening the monastery, but violent acts have already been committed against the nuns and monks, confiscating belongings, severe interrogation and turning off electricity and food supply to name just a few. Yet the monks and nuns remain there. We encourage everyone to take action by writing to local and national government officials demanding action be taken to end the violence against these peaceful people.

To get updates and more information on helping this cause, visit Help Bat Nha Monastery.

via correspondence between John Steiner, Margo King, Deb & Ed Shapiro,  Alan Levin, & Sky Canyon