Thich Nhat Hanh teaches what is called engaged Buddhism, or taking our practice of Mindfulness and compassion off our cushions and into our communities. In particular, SnowFlower members launched and provide ongoing support for two projects:
Thich Nhat Hanh’s Love & Understanding Program to help needy children, families, and communities in Vietnam. Thich Nhat Hanh started this program in the mid-1960s. It builds schools and supports teachers in areas where parents work far from home. The program provides hungry children with lunchtime meals. It offers comfort and aid to elderly and disabled who are abandoned because their families cannot support them. And it funds the construction of wells so families can have clean water and can irrigate their vegetables year-round.
To see a 10 minute YouTube video describing the L&U program and click here. This video was produced by David Nelson and includes a video of Sister Chan Khong describing the L&U program. Additional parts of the YouTube video were written by Jonathan Reed and narrated both by David Nelson and Steven Spiro. Additional parts of the video are from photos supplied by Delia Unson and David Nelson. In addition to describing the L&U program, this YouTube video includes information about SnowFlower's support of the Love and Understanding program.
Photos of projects and people supported by the L&U program.
In order to raise funds for the L&U program some sangha members made pictures, cards and bags.
Photos sold for fundraising.
Links to other Web sites about Love and Understanding.
If your sangha would like to support the L&U program you might be interested in these documents:
 | PDF of a brochure with a brief description of the L&U program and how to contribute. You can print this tri-fold brochure. |
| Logo Snowflower used to promote the love and understanding program. |
| Proposal to support L&U sent to Snowflower members describing the L&U program and proposing that we as a sangha support this program. |
| What we learned as a sangha from our support of the L&U program. |
| Fundraising letter we sent to all sangha members in late 2009. |
The Coming Home Project connects Sangha participants with opportunities to support incarcerated individuals or those recently released from prison. In the last year, Coming Home volunteers have helped to teach meditation/mindfulness and non-violent communication in both men and women’s prisons in Wisconsin. We have formed a Circle of Support to meet weekly with individuals recently released from prison to offer support and guidance as they face the challenges of re-integrating into the community. We have tutored women in custody for their GED exams and will be tutoring in the Dane County Jail.
Participation in the Coming Home Project may require a weekly commitment or a less frequent commitment, depending upon the specific project. An arrangement with the Dane County Time Bank allows participants to earn Time Bank hours. To learn more or to volunteer for the Coming Home Project, click here.