Deer Park Monastery, Buddhist meditation center in Escondido, United States.
Deer Park Monastery is a Buddhist practice center spread across 400 acres with two separate sections: Solidity Hamlet for monks and laymen, and Clarity Hamlet for nuns and laywomen. This layout allows different groups to practice and live alongside one another.
Thich Nhat Hanh established this monastery in July 2000 as part of an international network of Buddhist practice centers in the Plum Village tradition. This founding expanded the presence of this teaching lineage into the Western world.
The monastery blends Vietnamese Thien Buddhist practices with Western approaches, making meditation and mindfulness accessible to people from many backgrounds. Visitors from the local area and beyond come to participate in these integrated activities throughout the year.
Visitors can join weekly mindfulness days, scheduled retreats, walking meditations, and talks with experienced practitioners from the resident community. It helps to check ahead for current offerings and visiting hours before planning your trip.
The resident community includes around 14 monks and 23 nuns who lead regular activities while also working on ongoing construction projects to expand monastic living quarters. This blend of teaching and hands-on work gives the place a living, evolving quality.
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