Spiritual Bliss of Chan - Family Chan Camp 2023

Families from all over the United States descended on Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) in Pine Bush, New York for the 19th annual Family Chan Camp organized by DDMBA on August 2nd, 2023. For some, the camp was a new type of vacation, a chance to practice Chan in a more family-integrated way, and an opportunity to meet new people, but for others, the camp was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends made in previous summers. As in previous years, adults attended various sessions dedicated to guiding their exploration of Chan Buddhist practice and philosophy, while children and teens attended their own sessions; some of which with recognizably Buddhist themes and others devoted to fostering play, connection, and encouraging exploration and appreciation of the Center's bucolic setting.

Those who have visited DDRC will not be surprised to learn that the campers were forced to share the space. Families of deer could be spotted at any given time of day casually grazing on the grass or rearing up under trees to tug at low hanging leaves. Ground hogs occasionally waddled from the tall grass into view, and chipmunks dashed across the dining hall porch in search of seeds or bread crumbs lodged between weathered boards. And amidst this flurry of animal activity, Chan campers zigzagged to meetings all over the campus. At 6:30 a.m. each day, adults met for guided meditation in the Chan Hall, and kids and teens assembled outside for eight-form moving meditation. Then, thirty minutes later, the campers chanted the refrain "Aaaa-mi-tuo-fo" while making their way back to the dining hall, where they joined the adults for an early morning breakfast. The activities of the day varied for each group, but everyone gathered for delicious meals provided by an incredible staff of volunteers under the guidance of the venerable Chang-Yi Fashi.

Among the many highlights from this year, adults attended sessions on the topic of "Living the Diamond Sutra" by the venerable Chang-Yuan Fashi. They also received instruction on Chan from Dr. Gu Cong Yu, who visited from the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts in Taiwan. Meanwhile, the kids attended sessions introducing them to sound meditation, led by the venerable Yan-Wei Fashi and Kuan-Xing Fashi, who manipulated various contraptions that mimic the sounds of ocean waves lapping at the shore and water droplets pattering against a tin roof. The teens engaged in a walking meditation tour through the nearby woods and attended sessions with a wide range of themes, from the sociology of "the Self" to the neuroscience behind illusions of perception and perspective. On Thursday, August 3rd, camp administrators organized a convoy to carry all Chan Family campers to Bear Hill Nature Preserve, where a short hike revealed an unassuming ledge jutting from a stone outcropping and a breathtaking view of at least fifty miles in all directions. By Saturday afternoon, kids, teens and adults were cutting loose with water sports and games, with the pièce de resistance being a jumbo-jet-sized slip ‘N slide stretched down the hill next to the main house. They enjoyed shaved ice desserts of mango, taro, and green tea varieties and even freshly spun cotton candy. In the evening, virtually everyone participated in the annual talent show, and although no winner was formally announced, 15-year-old Melinda Zhao and her electric guitar stole the show with her rendition of "Drunk" by Keshi. Yet even before the festivities of the day started winding down, the faces of Chan campers began forming a familiar expression. One could see something like rejuvenation in their eyes, to be sure, but also a weary resignation that the camp would soon end.

Standing before those weary, rejuvenated campers during the closing ceremony on Sunday morning, I spoke into the microphone, "We've been on a journey this week, haven't we?" and although the metaphor of a journey seemed to have little resonance with those under the age of ten, the adults nodded approvingly. As we do every year, Chan campers shared their experiences, and camp councilors handed out fun awards to all the kids and teens (e.g., "Best Interpreter," "Sassiest Camper"). We swept our rooms clean, loaded up our cars, entered our GPS coordinates, and hugged our goodbyes. Alas, all things are impermanent, including Family Chan Camp, but it was wonderful while it lasted.



Written by Lester Andrist 
Photo: Chan Meditation Center (東初禪寺)