| Summary: | 碩士 === 佛光大學 === 佛教學系 === 105 === This research project is mainly to study the “Happy Farm” first introduced by the Vietnamese Chan Master Thich Nhat Hanh whose objective is to promote the mindful cultivation through the farm, so as to advance cultural exchange when preaching Buddhist Dharma for the benefit of the populace. At present, among the Vietnamese Buddhist missionary bodies in France, this system of mindful farming is the biggest and most successful. This paper attempts to analyze and affirm the operation of the “Happy Farm”, using documents and information relating to the idea of “equal emphasis on farming and Chan” as well as the written works of Chan Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
This system of Mindful farming is a self-sufficient form of green life. Not only does it supply organic farm produce to members of the Plum Village organization, which enhances their health, it also helps in trimming overall expenditure, thereby lessening the economic pressure brought about by the recession. This practice is the best “self-help” way to solve the many problems involving food safety. What is more, through actual farming work, the “Happy” farmers might get a chance of “returning to Nature”, and to practice the mindful methods unique to Plum Village while happily enjoying life in the farm. In the four years of operation, a lot of practical experience has been obtained. From the idea and objectives as well as the results of operation, it is easy to see that the Chan Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village Missionary have played an important part in promoting mindful cultivation, being courageous enough to be active in the secular world, building up and presenting to the outside an exemplary image of the Buddhist clergy and their influence.
Nowadays when society is faced with food safety problems, the need of a healthy environment as well as the various negative manifestations of the uneasiness and emotional disorder of the human mind, the Plum Village community should have a more global view in advancing its system in other parts of the world.
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