Breathe and You Know

The retreat is part of the Wake Up movement for young adults, and is open to practitioners from Malaysia and around the world. Priority is given to those aged 18–40.

If you are below 18 or aged 60 and above, you are still very welcome to register. Because places are prioritised for practitioners aged 18–40, your registration is placed on a waitlist for our organising committee to consider once youth registration has settled. You do not pay anything upfront — we will email you either way, and only share the bank transfer details if your place is confirmed.

Plum Village is open to friends of all religions — Muslims very much included. The difficulty is legal, not spiritual: under Malaysian law, this particular retreat can only receive non-Muslims.

We are based in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country whose Federal Constitution and state enactments restrict the propagation of any religion other than Islam to Muslims. This retreat is a full immersion in the Plum Village tradition — Dharma talks, chanting, and meditation rooted in Buddhist practice — so the law does not allow us to receive Muslim participants.

Please know this is not a measure of who is welcome in our hearts. Plum Village Malaysia is inclusive by aspiration, and we follow this requirement only to protect both you and our organisation. We hope you will understand the situation from which we write, and we wish you every condition to practise mindfulness fully and safely, wherever you are.

Online registration closes on 12 October 2026, or earlier if all places are filled — the retreat has 148 places in total. We encourage you to register early, as places in past retreats have gone quickly.

Your contribution covers accommodation, all vegetarian meals, and the full retreat programme for the duration of the retreat. Optional coach transfer for international travellers is available for an additional fee.

No refunds are made if you cancel within one month of the retreat (unless a replacement is found), if you do not turn up, or if you arrive late or depart early. If the retreat is unable to take place for any reason, we will notify you by email; the monastery cannot refund flight tickets or personal travel costs.

We are very happy to share that 10 monastics from Thailand will be joining us to lead the programme. They will offer the Dharma talks, guide the meditation sessions, and accompany the Dharma sharing circles throughout the retreat, in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. You can get to know some of them on our Meet Our Monastics page.

No experience is needed — only an open heart and a willingness to practise. Everything is gently guided, and the retreat is designed to welcome first-time practitioners alongside those who have practised for years.

Each day flows gently with mindfulness practices such as:

• Sitting meditation
• Mindful movement
• Walking meditation
• Mindful eating
• Working meditation
• Dharma talk
• Deep relaxation
• Dharma sharing
• Evening sitting or mindful activities

There will also be Noble Silence from 9:00 PM until the next morning, allowing everyone to rest deeply and reconnect inwardly.

The retreat will be conducted mainly in English. Currently we are not equipped to provide translation service (especially for Mandarin-speaking participants). We suggest:

• Seeking help from friends for translation.
• Subject to conditions, the organiser may form a Mandarin-speaking Dharma sharing group should there be enough participants.

Some monastics or volunteers may understand Mandarin, but may not always be available to translate, especially during Dharma talks.

The check-in counter opens at 5:00 PM, 6 November 2026, and orientation begins at 7:30 PM, 6 November 2026. Please plan to arrive during the check-in window so you can settle in before the retreat begins.

Local participants can coordinate rides through our WhatsApp carpooling group, which is open to all participants. International travellers may add an optional shared coach transfer between KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2), the TBS bus station, and the venue for an additional RM100/$25 on top of the registration fee — simply select it in the registration form if you would like a seat.

Liability agreement: Carpooling is a voluntary, private arrangement made directly between participants to share rides. Plum Village Malaysia and the retreat organisers only help connect participants and are not responsible for any carpooling arrangement, nor liable for any loss, damage, injury, delay, or accident arising from it. Drivers are responsible for holding a valid licence, insurance, and a roadworthy vehicle, and all participants take part at their own risk. By joining the carpooling group, you agree to these terms.

We don't recommend using e-hailing services like Grab for this trip. Bentong Happy Farm is in a different state (Pahang) and in a rural area — roughly 70 km from KL and 120 km from KLIA.

A ride to the venue could work out, but most drivers cancel once they see the distance, or ask for additional cash to cover the return tolls and empty miles. Getting a ride back from Bentong Happy Farm to KL or KLIA is extremely difficult, as the rural area has very few drivers.

Please plan on the shared coach (for international travellers) or the carpool group instead — see “How does transportation work?” above.

Depending on your needs, you may consider purchasing health and/or travel insurance for your trip to Malaysia. International participants are encouraged to arrange travel insurance before travelling abroad, in case medical assistance is needed overseas.

Comfortable clothing, a reusable water bottle, personal toiletries, any medication you are taking, and an open, willing heart. If you rely on any medication, please make sure to bring it with you.

Please bring loose-fit, comfortable, lightweight clothing. We ask that you wear non-revealing clothing at all times — tops that cover the upper body and arms, and pants, shorts, or dresses that are roughly knee-length. When entering the meditation hall, please dress modestly. A white outfit is not required.

Bedsheets are fully provided for you at the venue. If you would be more comfortable using your own, you are completely welcome to bring yours along and swap them out.

All meals are vegetarian — no meat, poultry, or seafood is served. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please note them in your registration form so we can consider whether they can be accommodated.

Yes — bringing your own snacks, such as protein bars, is perfectly fine. We want to make sure you are comfortable and do not go hungry between our scheduled meals.

To support a restful, present experience, we ask that you refrain from using phones or electronic devices during activities, sessions, and lectures. Internet access is not provided at the retreat centre, so please arrange anything you need before you arrive.

Except in a medical emergency, we ask that you remain within the retreat location for the full duration of the retreat, and not go outside without the consensus of the organising team. This helps protect the collective energy of the practice.