In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino are joined by Nho Tran, who, after 17 years as a nun in the Plum Village tradition, is now continuing her spiritual journey as a layperson.
Together, they explore the origins and evolution of the Plum Village tradition: the Buddhist lineage founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Thay worked to restore and renew Vietnamese Buddhism, integrating its rich history and diverse influences while increasing the teachings' accessibility and relevance to the modern world.
The participants describe Thay's openness to adapting practices to different communities' needs, while maintaining the tradition’s core principles and lineage. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding one's roots and cultural heritage, and of the flexibility to evolve and innovate within a spiritual tradition, and how these principles led to Thay's vision of engaged Buddhism, which seeks to address societal issues and cultivate both inner and outer peace.
Among other insights, Nho shares her personal journey of reconnecting with her Vietnamese heritage and identity through Thay's teachings, while Brother Phap Huu reflects on Thay’s intentional weaving together of the ancient roots of Vietnamese Buddhism with contemporary relevance and accessibility.
Bio: Nho Tran is a scholar, facilitator, and former Buddhist nun in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. For many years, she lived and practiced in monastic communities across Asia, Europe, and North America, where she cultivated a deep commitment to interbeing, cultural resilience, and the art of mindful living.
Nho’s work sits at the intersection of conflict transformation, ethics, and systems thinking. Drawing on her monastic formation and experience across diverse sectors, she supports individuals and communities in navigating difficult conversations, fostering cultural change, and reimagining leadership grounded in compassion and collective wisdom.
She holds a joint degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and Religion from the University of Southern California, a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and an MA from Harvard University. She is currently a PhD candidate at Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where her research explores the intersections of religion, ethics, governance, and Vietnamese Buddhist history.
Nho teaches negotiation, ethics, and conflict resolution at Harvard, and continues to serve as a bridge between contemplative practice and social transformation.
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Quotes
“What is our compass? That is mindfulness. Come back to our awareness of the present moment.”
“If we are practicing Buddhism, but we're not practicing inner peace, outer peace, and liberation, then that is not Buddhism. So, Thay's understanding of Buddhism goes beyond form.”
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🔔 The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living is a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.
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🎙️ The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App and Global Optimism with support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
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Resources
🎙️ Live show: The Way Out Is In podcast with special guest Ocean Vuong
Interbeing
Ocean Vuong
James Baldwin
Dharma Talks: ‘Redefining the Four Noble Truths’
Thich Nhat Hanh: Redefining the Four Noble Truths
‘The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village’
Theravada
Mahayana
Champa
Vajrayana
Prajnaparamita
Dhyana
Linji
Pearl S. Buck
‘Please Call Me By My True Name’