Green Mountain Dharma Center

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Green Mountain Dharma Center (GMDC) was founded in April 1998 and is located in Hartland-Four-Corners, VT. As of 2006, 6 nuns and 3 monks are in residence there. Recently, the GMDC has been developing in a new direction by becoming a Fourfold (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen) Retreat and Practice Center for the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. They are closely in touch with Plum Village and share the same practice. During a stay at the GMDC, retreatants are encouraged to practice and observe the monastic way of life. Retreatants are invited to help in communal activities such as preparing meals, general cleaning, washing dishes, etc. as a way of continuing mindfulness practice while performing everyday tasks.

The Abbess of the center is Annabel Laity, Sister True Virtue (Vietnamese: Chân Duc) a senior Dharma Teacher of the Order of Interbeing. She has been a disciple of Thich Nhat Hanh since 1986, became a Dharma Teacher in 1990 and was Director of Practice at Plum Village. Since 1997, she has been Director of the Maple Forest Monastery and was installed as Abbess at the Green Mountain Dharma Center in 1998. She has travelled widely, leading meditation retreats and giving talks in many different countries of the world. She has translated many of Thich Nhat Hanh's books into English.[1]

[edit] During a Retreat

A sample daily schedule:

• 5:00 a.m. - Wake up
• 6:00 a.m. - Sitting Meditation/Chanting
• 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. - Mindful Work or Monastic Classes
• 11:15 a.m. - Walking Meditation
• 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
• Rest & Personal Time after lunch
• 3:30 p.m. - Sitting Meditation & Chanting
• 5:15 p.m. - Exercise & Sports Time
• 6:00 p.m. - Dinner
• 7:30 p.m. - Personal Study or Misc. Classes
• 9:30 p.m. - Noble Silence

The Dharma Center believes that because the Buddhist teachings emphasize practicing with the Sangha, the retreatants should participate fully in all scheduled activities. All guests are asked to to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Meals are vegetarian.

[edit] See also

• Thich Nhat Hanh
• Order of Interbeing
• Buddhism in America
• Buddhist Monasticism

[edit] External links

• Sangha Directory - List of communities (Mindfulness Practice Groups) practicing in Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition.
• Plum Village - Thich Nhat Hanh's main monastery and practice center, located about 85 km east of Bordeaux, France.
• Deer Park Monastery - located in Escondido, California.
• Maple Forest Monastery - located near Woodstock, Vermont .
• Green Mountain Dharma Center - located in Hartland-Four-Corners, Vermont.
• Magnolia Village Practice Center - newest practice center, located near Memphis, TN.
• I Am Home - Community of Mindful Living; home of the "Mindfulness Bell" magazine with news, articles, and talks by Thich Nhat Hanh and other Order of Interbeing members.

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