Blue Cliff Monastery

Blue Cliff Monastery follows the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. The monk migrated to the West from Vietnam after he was expelled during the Vietnam War due to his anti-war nonviolent activism. Well known for his collaboration on peace initiatives with Dr. Martin Luther King and Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh promotes “engaged Buddhism,” which actively seeks to relieve world suffering. A focus of this practice is the Five Mindfulness Trainings, said to be a concrete expression of Buddha’s teachings: Reverence For Life, True Happiness, True Love, Loving Speech and Deep Listening, and Nourishment and Healing. Located on 80 acres in Pine Bush, NY, Blue Cliff Monastery offers a wide range of programs and retreats.