In the Footsteps of the Buddha (5/6) | The River of Life | Episode #106

If you want to support our podcast please visit this link ➛ https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/?form=thewayoutisin Thank you! The fifth in a series of six episodes recorded during the In the Footsteps of the Buddha pilgrimage, this instalment was made in Kushinagar, India, in February 2026. In it, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach Jo Confino are joined by Zen Buddhist nun Sister Tam Muoi and Dharma teacher Shantum Seth to reflect on the Buddha’s final days and the legacy and continuation of his teachings. They also discuss Thich Nhat Hanh’s passing and how Plum Village responded to his transition; the responsibility of current and future generations to continue his work and teachings; and the importance of the multi-fold community in preserving and spreading the Buddha's teachings in a way that is relevant and accessible to the modern world. Furthermore, Shantum Seth provides historical context about the Buddha's final journey and the events after his passing, including the first Buddhist council and the spread of Buddhism; Brother Phap Huu draws parallels between the Buddha's and Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings and legacies; and Sister Tam Muoi discusses the importance of the monastic order in continuing the Buddha's teachings - as well as Thich Nhat Hanh's vision for the Plum Village tradition to evolve and adapt while staying true to its core principles. ------- About the pilgrimage: In 1988, Shantum Seth was invited by Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) to organize a pilgrimage to the sacred sites associated with the Buddha’s life across India. Subsequently, Thay encouraged Shantum to continue guiding such journeys each year, offering pilgrimage itself as a mindfulness practice - one that the Buddha had suggested. Shantum has been leading these transformative journeys ever since, offering people from around the world the opportunity to follow In the Footsteps of the Buddha with awareness and insight. After 15 years at the United Nations, Shantum left to volunteer with the Ahimsa Trust, which represents Thay’s work in India and promotes the practice of “peace in oneself and peace in the world”. Through Buddhapath, his expression of Right Livelihood, Shantum continues to guide pilgrimages and share the wisdom and culture of the places he visits in India and across Buddhist Asia, cultivating community through these deeply meaningful journeys. To learn more about upcoming pilgrimages, visit www.buddhapath.com, or follow Shantum on Facebook and Instagram at @eleven_directions. ------- Sister Tam Muoi (Sister Samadhi) is from the UK and was ordained in 2012, becoming a Dharma teacher in 2022. Having encountered the practice whilst living in France, she became engaged in the French lay sangha and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2004. She is actively supporting the recently created Being Peace Practice Centre in the UK and is deeply committed to the work of healing ancestral harm, participating in trainings and retreats exploring White Awareness. Read more here: Read more here: https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/trang-tam-muoi ------ The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App: https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism: https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation: https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ Recording: Ann Nguyen ➛ https://ann.earth Sound editor: Joe Holtaway ➛ https://joeholtaway.com Publisher: Anca Rusu Producer: Clay Carnill ➛ https://claycarnill.com Executive Producer: Catalin Zorzini ------ 🎧 Listen to the podcast on the (completely FREE) Plum Village App ➛ https://link.plumvillage.app/3fZM and other streaming services. ------ Resources: 🎙️Sister Tam Muoi ➛ https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/trang-tam-muoi 🎙️ Shantum Seth ➛ https://ahimsatrust.org/dharmacharya-shantum/ 🎙️ Brother Phap Huu ➛ https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/br-phap-huu 🎙️ Jo Confino ➛ https://www.instagram.com/joconfino/?hl=en