[1][2] After being refused the right to return to Vietnam due to the Vietnam War, Thích Nhất Hạnh formed a small mindfulness community 100 miles southeast of Paris at the village of Fontvannes[3] called "the Sweet Potato" after the food that poor Vietnamese people eat.
Following Thích Nhất Hạnh's expulsion from Singapore following illegal attempts to rescue Vietnamese boat people, he settled in France and began to lead mindfulness retreats.
A few days later, on September 28, 1982, Thích Nhất Hạnh purchased a tract of land about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away, which is now known as the Lower Hamlet (Vietnamese: Xóm Hạ).
Later that year, a hailstorm destroyed the vineyards on Mr. Dézon's property and he was forced to put his land on the market.
When this happens all members are expected to cease what they are doing and pause for a moment of mindful silence [7] Today, Plum Village is made up of four major residential hamlets.