Honoring Thay in New York City: Thich Nhat Hanh Way

On April 11th, New York City officials co-named a street in honor of our teacher Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, lovingly known as Thay—recognizing his extraordinary contributions to peace, mindfulness, and social transformation in the world.

The naming ceremony took place at West 109th Street and Broadway, near Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University, where Thay lived, taught, and planted seeds of engaged Buddhism as a scholar, teacher, and activist during a formative period of his life.

This moment is a deep honoring—not only for those who knew and loved Thay, but for all who continue to walk the path he illuminated. His presence in New York was rooted in courageous engagement with suffering, born from deep insight, the energy of peace, and inclusive love.

Peace in Myself, Peace in the World

When Thay came to New York in the 1960s, the Vietnam/American war was intensifying. Many spiritual communities were unsure how to respond. As a young monk exiled from his homeland, Thay offered a way forward: peace in myself, peace in the world. He spoke at churches, universities, and peace gatherings, appealing to the conscience of a nation and calling for an end to violence—starting within.

Thay taught that our daily engagement with life is our practice, and that even in the midst of difficulty, we can touch the wonders of life. This seed of insight, planted in a time of war, would later blossom into the international Plum Village community.

Truth with Compassion

Today, as suffering continues across the world, we may ask ourselves: How do we walk in Thay’s footsteps now? How can we cultivate peace in ourselves and peace in the world?

Thay showed us that truth-telling need not come from anger or fear—it can arise from compassion, from our awareness of interbeing, and from a shared aspiration to relieve suffering. His life invites us to ask: What does it mean to speak truthfully, with love? What does it mean to act, not from reactivity, but from deep listening? How can our life be our message?

An Ongoing Invitation

As we celebrate this naming, we honor not only Thay’s time in New York, but his enduring legacy as a spiritual teacher, a peace activist, and a human being who lived for the benefit of all. May this street sign be an invitation: To walk in mindfulness. To listen with our whole being. To live with the courage it takes to meet this world in peace and truth, together.

Those who pursue the truth are members of the community of truth speakers and reformers throughout time and space.

Reflections from the Ceremony

The first step in getting the street co-named as Thich Nhat Hanh Way was securing the approval of New York City’s Manhattan Community Board 7. In welcoming everyone to the event, Brother Phap Luu of Deer Park Monastery shared that after giving the proposal its unanimous approval, CB7 Chair Mark Diller said: 

Often we name a street to elevate a person. And at times we name a street so that the person elevates us.

Shaun Abreu, District 7 representative on the New York City Council, said:

New Yorkers are not necessarily known for peace and stillness… But Thich Nhat Hanh had a message for people like us. He knew that we can’t build a better world if we’re angry all the time, if we lose sight of each other’s humanity… By putting his name right here in the heart of it all we’re creating a moment of pause, a breath, a reminder that peace isn’t found in retreating from the world, it’s found in how we choose to walk through it

Brother Phap Khong of Blue Cliff Monastery shared:

This is a celebration of peace, mindfulness, and the profound teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh… The co-naming of this street is a testament to his enduring impact. It becomes a beacon of hope and reminds us of the power of mindfulness and the importance of living harmoniously

Anh-Huong Nguyen, Thay’s niece and a lay Dharma teacher, received a duplicate of the sign as his surviving heir. She said:

My heart is so full, it’s hard to put what I’m feeling into words. I hear Thay saying this is a happy moment. And I deeply and strongly feel Thay is here with us

Sister Hoa Nghiem of Blue Cliff Monastery reflected:

More than 60 years ago, along the street being co-named, a young monk walked every day with each mindful step. So this road has become legendary now, because it has the honor of carrying Thay’s first steps of the awakened one

Photos from the Ceremony

With gratitude to Brian Murphy for the photos and all involved in the event.