A large fire at Plum Village, the renowned Buddhist monastery founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in southern France, in the early morning of 23 January has resulted in the destruction of the Purple Cloud building, one of the monastery’s oldest and most cherished structures. No serious injuries were reported.
According to a statement released by Plum Village and the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, the fire erupted in the early hours, engulfing the Purple Cloud building in Lower Hamlet. The residential building housed nine monastic sisters who were asleep at the time. “We thank the buddhas and bodhisattvas that one sister woke up in time to alert everyone, and they all escaped safely,” the statement read. (Facebook)
Emergency responders, including volunteer firefighters from the surrounding region, police, and ambulance teams, had arrived on the scene by 3:30 a.m. The local mayor also joined the relief effort, staying with the community throughout the night. Firefighting teams worked diligently to contain the flames, which took nearly three hours to extinguish. Despite their efforts, much of the Purple Cloud building was gutted, although parts of the front, north, and south facades were saved.
The Purple Cloud building has been a central part of Plum Village since its establishment. It was the last of the monastery’s original residences and housed Thich Nhat Hanh’s personal room. This space was integral to daily life at the monastery, serving as a place where Thay, as Thich Nhat Hanh is known by his followers, rested after Dharma talks, welcomed guests for tea, guided students, listened to chanting, and relaxed.
“Helplessly, we watched as the firefighters worked tirelessly to save what they could and help the sisters rescue some of Thay’s original calligraphies and sacred memorabilia from his room, as well as many Dharma books,” the Plum Village statement related. (Facebook) However, much of the building’s contents were lost to the fire. One sister was treated for smoke inhalation but has since recovered.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with preliminary assessments suggesting that it may have originated within the walls of the building.
An extensive account of the fire was shared on the Plum Village website, which noted: “Rebuilding and restoring Purple Cloud for all of Thay’s students to enjoy has now become an urgent part of our plans, already underway, to construct a new ecological building that can accommodate 80 sisters and aspirants all together.” (Plum Village)
The monastery is now seeking financial support from the global Buddhist community to aid in the reconstruction effort. Donations will help rebuild the Purple Cloud building and Thay’s room, ensuring that the sanctuary remains a place of peace and spiritual practice for current and future generations.
The Lower Hamlet sisters expressed profound gratitude for the community’s support during this challenging time. “The sisters of Lower Hamlet are hugely grateful for all the support and help that has come to our aid,” they stated. (Plum Village) The response from volunteer firefighters, the local authorities, and the broader community has been instrumental in managing the crisis and beginning the recovery process.
Historically, Plum Village has been a significant center for engaged Buddhism, attracting practitioners from around the world. The monastery emphasizes mindfulness, peace, and ecological sustainability, reflecting Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. The fire at the Purple Cloud building represents not only a physical loss but also a cultural and spiritual one for the community.
The local authorities and the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation have pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the monastery remains committed to its mission of fostering peace and mindfulness, drawing strength from its teachings and the solidarity of its global community.
See more
Support for Lower Hamlet After The Fire (Plum Village)
Rebuilding after the fire (Plum Village)
Plum Village (Facebook)
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