​About Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Master, poet, peace and human rights activist, Thich Nhat Hanh was born in central Vietnam in 1926 and joined the monkhood at the age of 16. In Saigon in the early 1960's, he founded the School of Youth for Social Services (SYSS), a grass roots relief organization that rebuilt bombed villages, set up schools and medical centers, resettled homeless families, and organized agricultural cooperatives. Rallying some 10,000 student volunteers, the SYSS based its work on the Buddhist principles of non-violence and compassionate action. Despite government denunciation of his activity, Nhat Hanh also founded a Buddhist University, a publishing house, and an influential peace activist magazine in Vietnam.

Exiled from Vietnam, he traveled to the U.S. where he made the case for peace to federal and Pentagon officials including Robert McNamara. He may have changed the course of U.S. history when he persuaded Martin Luther King, Jr. to oppose the Vietnam War publicly, and so helped galvanize the peace movement. The following year, King nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Subsequently, Nhat Hanh led the Buddhist delegation to the Paris Peace Talks.

Often referred to as the most beloved Buddhist teacher in the West, Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings and practices appeal to people from various religious, spiritual, and political backgrounds. Nhat Hanh offers a practice of "mindfulness" that is beneficial for people of all faiths, by helping us resist and transform the speed and violence of our modern society. His life and teachings have deeply influenced millions of people, including scores of luminaries in different fields: politician Jerry Brown, civil rights champion Martin Luther King, Jr., eco-activist Joanna Macy, and Catholic mystic Thomas Merton - to name a few.

Thich Nhat Hanh is affectionately referred to as "Thay" (Vietnamese for teacher) by his many students. He has published more than 100 titles, including more than 40 in English: Peace is Every Step, Being Peace, Touching Peace and many more. His books are published by Parallax Press.

Thich Nhat Hanh has passed away peacefully at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam on 22nd January, 2022, at the age of 95.  For more information about Thay, please visit the Plum Village Website.   

Our Facilitator: Jonathan Prescott

Jonathan Prescott is a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor.  As a long time ordained student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Jonathan’s practice is to support people experiencing illness and end of life, foster effective caregiving and reconnect people with their innate wisdom and compassion.  Jonathan has also studied with Dharmacharya Eileen Kiera and Jack Duffy Roshi at The Mountain Lamp Community and with Frank Ostaseski of the Metta Institute and Zen Hospice Project.

Jonathan has served as Chaplain in hospice, cancer care, and hospital settings.  During Jonathan’s 40-year spiritual practice, he’s led and served many organizations in the Buddhist, Quaker and non-profit realms.   Partnering with Anacortes Mindfulness Community, as well as through his nonprofit, Radiant Light Zen and other groups, Jonathan facilitates workshops and retreats to help participants become more openhearted, effective, and joyful.   He also offers private mentoring.   Learn more about or schedule mentoring. 

At home in the San Juan Islands of Washington, Jonathan relishes the peaceful solitude of his small farm.   Jonathan is the author of The Road To Freedom: Learning To Drive With Joy And Kindness.
​
Jon joins Anacortes Mindfulness Community to provide one Dharma Talk per month, advises our Practice and Care Committee and our Board, and facilitates at our Days of Mindfulness and Retreats.  

​Sangha Officers

President:  Ron Wohl
Secretary: Sarah Roberts
Treasurer:  Sandra Starbuck 
Communications Coordinator: Sandra Starbuck
Publicity/Membership: Sue Jones