Join us for a historic and deeply meaningful event as New York City officially co-names West 109th Street between Riverside and Broadway as “Thích Nhất Hạnh Way.” This special ceremony honors the life and teachings of our teacher Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh, a global spiritual leader, poet, peace activist, and the founder of the Plum Village tradition of Engaged Buddhism.
The event is free and open to the public. Community members are warmly encouraged to join in this day of mindful practice, gratitude, and celebration.
Thích Nhất Hạnh lived at 306 West 109th Street in the early 1960s while studying and teaching at Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University—a formative period in his life as a scholar, teacher, and activist. This street co-naming recognizes his profound contributions to mindfulness, peace, and social transformation worldwide.
This historic event will bring together city leaders, monastics from the international Plum Village community, and members of the New York City community to commemorate the life and work of one of the world’s most influential spiritual teachers.
Hosted by: Monastics of Blue Cliff and Deer Park Monasteries
Meeting Location: Corner of West 109th Street & Broadway, New York, NY
Schedule of Events:
11:00 AM ET – Arrival of monastics from Blue Cliff and Deer Park Monasteries at W 109th Street and Broadway
11:30 AM ET – Co-Naming Ceremony:
Remarks by City Council Member Shaun Abreu
Unveiling of the “Thích Nhất Hạnh Way” sign
Reflections from monastics and community leaders
Closing chant
12:00 PM ET – Immediately following the Co-Naming Ceremony, monastics will lead walking meditation from W 109th & Broadway to Union Theological Seminary (121st Street and Broadway)
1:00 PM ET – Co-Naming Reception, Book & Calligraphy Exhibition @ UTS
Union Theological Seminary (UTS) is where Thầy taught and studied in the 60s. Friends are invited to gather and enjoy Thầy’s book and calligraphy exhibition in the Burke Library. There will be a reception in James Chapel of UTS hosted by the monastics from Blue Cliff and Deer Park Monasteries. Vegan sandwiches will be available for an eating meditation, followed by chanting with the monastics and words from the Thích Nhất Hạnh Program for Engaged Buddhism program at UTS as well as readings of Thầy’s poetry.
Note that the book and calligraphy exhibition will be in the Burke Library, which is in the same building as James Chapel. The address for Burke Library is 3041 Broadway and is open to the public. Advance RSVP is required to enter James Chapel.
Update: Tickets for the reception in James Chapel are no longer available, however the Burke Library is open to the public for the book and calligraphy exhibition.
4:00 PM ET – Event concludes
This momentous occasion not only celebrates Thích Nhất Hạnh’s legacy, but also invites participants to embody his teachings of mindfulness, compassion, and peace. The co-naming of “Thích Nhất Hạnh Way” recognizes his profound impact on the global mindfulness movement, as well as his advocacy for interfaith harmony and social transformation.
We welcome you to join us for this gathering to honor our teacher and connect with sangha friends.
If you are unable to attend in person, the reception at James Chapel will be live-streamed on UTS YouTube page here.
Although we have sold out for the reception from 1-4pm, you are still welcome to join the street ceremony as no RSVP is required to join us at the Co-Naming Ceremony. The Burke Library will also be open to the public for the book and calligraphy exhibition following the street ceremony.
If you were unable to RSVP to the reception, we invite you to join the walking meditation from the Co-Naming Ceremony to UTS and only attend the Burke Library exhibition. If your name is not on the RSVP list, you will be required to enter the 3041 Broadway door just one short block further up the street (with valid ID).
