Honoring Our Ancestors, Nurturing the Future
November 2025 Issue of Coyote Tracks from Deer Park Monastery
Dear Friends and Fellow Practitioners,
As the maple trees ripen to red and the dewy morning air turns crisp and cool, our Sangha continues to gather in gratitude, remembrance, and renewal. Earlier this month, more than two hundred friends joined us for our annual Day of the Dead celebration, honoring our ancestors and all those who have walked this path before us. Their presence reminds us that love and understanding never die — they continue through each mindful breath we take.
This season also carries the joyful momentum of building the Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing, a living continuation of Thầy’s vision for compassionate education. Whether joining us in person for an upcoming Day of Mindfulness or online for a Community Dialogue, your presence and support help bring this dream to life.
We’re also delighted to share new seeds of creativity from the Deer Park Collective — our song “Be Patient (Don’t Give Up)” was released on November 3, a musical offering to remind us to trust the pace of the path and keep walking together.
We hope to see you for our annual Thanksgiving Day of Gratitude potluck on November 27. May this month be a time of remembering, nourishing connection, and gently coming home to the present moment.
With gratitude,
The Deer Park Monastery Family
Day of the Dead Prayer to All Our Ancestors
On November 2, over two hundred friends gathered at Deer Park for the third annual gathering of Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). Read the Prayer to our Ancestors and view photos from the event here.
Help Build The Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing
The Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing — opening Fall 2026 — is dedicated to advancing Thay’s vision of nurturing kind, wise, and compassionate human beings. Rooted in Buddhist principles and applied ethics, the school offers a holistic approach to education for children that integrates mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and ethical living. Learn more and donate to help build the school here.
Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing Online Information Sessions and Community Dialogues
Interested in the Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing? Join us for an upcoming virtual Information Session & Community Dialogue on Zoom.
Parents, caregivers, and interested community members are warmly invited to an online or in-person session to learn more about the Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing — our vision, values, how to enroll your child, and how to support this new model of education. Discover what makes this school unique, meet our community, and explore ways to get involved. Register for one or both sessions:
New Song Release: Be Patient (Don’t Give Up) by The Deer Park Collective
During our Wake Up Retreat this past spring, a few of us gathered in the spirit of creativity and connection to write and sing a song together. We’re happy to share that the song, titled “Be Patient, Don’t Give Up,” was released on November 3, the six-month anniversary of the end of our Wake Up Retreat retreat. May this song be a gentle reminder to come back to your breath, to be patient with yourself and others, and to continue walking the path of mindfulness one step at a time.
Buddhist Community Gathering
Hosted by the Vista Buddhist Temple, join us for the 7th annual Buddhist Community Gathering on Saturday, November 15 from 1-3PM. This year’s theme is “Resistance and Regeneration Amidst the Chaos”. Click here to register for the gathering over Zoom.
New Dates Available for General Practice Retreats in Solidity & Clarity Hamlets
Looking for some peace in nature this winter? We invite you to stay with us for a General Practice Retreat. Throughout the duration of one or two weeks, you spend each day following the schedule of the resident monastics and lay community. You’ll enjoy the basic mindfulness practices such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, and mindful eating. Learn more and view available dates here.
I Have Arrived, I Am Home
Thay frequently spoke about the importance of arriving in the present moment. In his book, Happiness, he explains how we can recite the Gatha, I Have Arrived, I Am Home, whenever we need to come back to ourselves. Learn more about this practice here.
Dear Sangha, a Poem
“On this holy land
Thay’s words vibrate through me in reverence
of my impermanence
In this silent walk
I feel the earth beneath me…”
Read the full poem by Erika Brown here.
Meet The Monastics: Brother Minh Luong
An invitation to listen to this uplifting and candid conversation with Brother Minh Luong on cultivating mindfulness in everyday life and patiently building a true practice space.
Looking Ahead:
November 23, 2025 - Day of Mindfulness & School of Interbeing Tour
November 27, 2025 - Day of Gratitude Celebration
December 24, 2025 - Christmas Eve Celebration
December 31, 2025 - New Year’s Eve Celebration
January 18, 2026 – Memorial Ceremony on the Fourth Year of Thầy’s Passing
January 25, 2026 – Pravāraṇā Ceremony to end the 2025 Rains Retreat
February 16-19, 2026 – Lunar New Year’s Eve (Tết) Ceremonies and Celebrations
March 15-21, 2026 – Wake Up Retreat (Ages 18-35)
August 9-15, 2026 – YMCA Retreat in Estes Park, Colorado (Registration opens December 10)