Zen Meditation Center Blue Cliff Monastery

Blue Cliff Monastery is a mindfulness practice center and monastic training center founded by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). Blue Cliff is a place to quiet the mind, look deeply, and enjoy the wonders of life within and around us through the practices of sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful eating, deep relaxation meditation, and sharing togetherness.

We invite all who wish to cultivate peace and happiness in their lives to plan a visit--for a day or for a retreat. Nestled on 80 peaceful acres of woodland in the southern Catskill region about two hours northwest of New York City, Blue Cliff is home to a thriving community of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners who share the art of mindful living with thousands of adults and children every year. Visitors are welcome year-round.

Blue Cliff is part of a larger family of monasteries, including Plum Village, our root monastery in France, where our teacher, Thay, resides. All of the monastic members of our community are direct disciples of Thich Nhat Hanh and are trained under his close direction. Blue Cliff was formerly a family-owned summer resort, in operation since 1939. Today, the various residences have been renovated and winterized, with wheelchair-accessible rooms now under construction and plans underway to add new dining and common areas.

The Great Togetherness Meditation Hall, built in 2008, can accommodate up to 800 people for meditations and teachings. Thich Nhat Hanh Thich Nhat Hanh SittingZen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet, and peace activist, revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. His key teaching is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live happily in the present moment—the only way to truly develop peace, both in one’s self and in the world.

http://www.bluecliffmonastery.org/meditate/