A large fire at Plum Village, the famous Buddhist monastery founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in southern France, early in the morning of January 23 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 broke out in the early hours, engulfing the Purple Cloud building in Lower Hamlet. The residential building housed nine monastic sisters who were sleeping 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 said. (Facebook)
Emergency responders, including volunteer firefighters from the surrounding area, police and ambulance crews, had arrived on the scene by 3:30 a.m., with the local mayor also joining the relief effort, staying with the community throughout the night. Firefighting crews worked diligently to contain the flames, which took nearly three hours to extinguish. Despite their efforts, much of the Purple Clouds building was gutted, although portions of the front, north and south facades were saved.
The Purple Cloud building has been a central feature of Plum Village since its inception. It was the last of the monastery’s original residences and housed Thich Nhat Hanh’s personal room. This space was an integral part of daily life at the monastery, serving as a place where THAY, as Thich Nhat Hanh is known to his disciples, rested after Dharma talks, welcomed guests for tea, guided students, listened to chanting, and relaxed.
“We watched helplessly as firefighters worked tirelessly to salvage what they could and helped the sisters save some of Thay’s original calligraphy and sacred mementos from her room, as well as many Dharma books,” Plum Village’s statement said. (Facebook) However, much of the building’s contents were lost in 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 it may have originated in the walls of the building.
An extended account of the fire was shared on the Plum Village website, which noted: “Rebuilding and restoring the Purple Cloud for all Thay students to enjoy has now become an urgent part of our plans, already underway, to construct a new eco-friendly building that can accommodate 80 sisters and seekers all together.” (Plum Village)
The monastery is now seeking financial support from the global Buddhist community to help with the rebuilding effort. Donations will help rebuild the Purple Cloud Building and the Hall of Thay, ensuring that the shrine remains a place of peace and spiritual practice for current and future generations.
The Lower Hamlet Sisters expressed deep gratitude for the community’s support during this difficult time. “The Lower Hamlet Sisters are extremely grateful for all the support and assistance that has come to our aid,” they said. (Plum Village) The response of the volunteer firefighters, local authorities and the community at large has been instrumental in managing the crisis and beginning the recovery process.
Historically, Plum Village has been an important center for engaged Buddhism, attracting practitioners from around the world. The monastery emphasizes mindfulness, peace, and ecological sustainability, reflecting the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. The Purple Cloud building fire represents not only a physical loss, but also a cultural and spiritual loss to the community.
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 the lower hamlet after the fire (Plum Village)
Rebuilding after the fire (Plum Village)
Plum Village (Facebook)
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Aftermath of fire destroys historic Thich Nhat Hanh Monastery building in France appeared first on Buddhist News Global.