Exploring Deer Park Monastery: A Plum Village Refuge in California

A Plum Village monastery in California that describes itself as a refuge of peace and healing. This guide is compiled from the monastery's own published information; we have not visited, and it is not a review.

Visitor reviews · Questions and answers

Deer Park Monastery
Photo: miheco, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and colour-graded by ANEW.
Anissa Wood, Deer Park Monastery, Purple Lantana by Meditation Hall
Photo: Anissa Wood, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and colour-graded by ANEW.
Anissa Wood, Flowering tree, Deer Park Monastery
Photo: Anissa Wood, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and colour-graded by ANEW.
Anissa Wood, Look Deeply, Deer Park Monastery
Photo: Anissa Wood, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and colour-graded by ANEW.

The place

Deer Park Monastery describes itself as a refuge of peace and healing and as a Plum Village community of mindful living established by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It invites visitors to apply the practice of mindfulness in each moment of daily life, and says everyone is welcome, however they look or identify and whomever they love.

Days of Mindfulness

The monastery lists regular Days of Mindfulness, for example Sundays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, as open invitations to join the community's practice. Check its calendar for current dates.

Who it suits

Before you go

  1. Read temple etiquette and what to wear.
  2. See all Plum Village practice centres and the California directory.
  3. Plan your visit on the monastery's own site.

Been there? Add your own review on the place page. Plum Village centres · All place guides

Questions people ask

What tradition is Deer Park?

A Plum Village community, in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Can I visit for a day?

The monastery lists Days of Mindfulness, open to join, usually from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Check its calendar.

Who is welcome?

The monastery says all are welcome, however they look or identify.