​CMC in New York Held the Passing on the Lamp Two-day Retreat

To mark the 15^th anniversary of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) founder Master Sheng Yen's passing, Chan Meditation Center (CMC) in New York held the "Passing on the Lamp Two-day Retreat" from February 3^rd to February 4^th (EST) in remembrance of the Master's kindness and teachings. Co-led by Ven. Chang Hwa (常華法師), the Director of CMC, and Ven. Yan She (演捨法師), the retreat attracted more than 40 participants practicing Chan meditation over two-day period.

During the two-day retreat, whether in stillness or motion such as through moving meditation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, yoga, Chan practitioners settled their minds on the method from moment to moment. They also watched videos to review Master Sheng Yen's past guidance. In the videos, Master Sheng Yen reminded everyone of the importance of giving equal weight to both understanding and practice, and pointed out the direction and objective of practice. Meanwhile, he elucidated the method and principle of Chan meditation, guiding everyone to get reacquainted with themselves and return to their true self. 

Master Sheng Yen also exhorted Chan participants to practice Buddhadharma with a grateful attitude. We should be grateful to the past, since everything we have now, including the spread of the Dharma, comes from the endeavors of those who came before us. Practicing Buddhism is not only beneficial to ourselves and people around us, but also to other sentient beings. Therefore, aspiring to pass on the Dharma is a manifestation of bodhi-mind.

After listening to the Dharma talk, CMC Director Ven. Chang Hwa led everyone to prostrate before the Buddha in gratitude for the kindness of their parents and teachers as well as all the benevolent causes and conditions in their lives. One on-site participant shared that "I am really fortunate to know Buddhadharma and Master Sheng Yen. This has enabled me to know myself better and find the answer to life". Another noted how "Even though I did not meet Master Sheng Yen in person, I am able to learn the Dharma and to practice through his works. It is a true blessing."

According to CMC, Master Sheng Yen once said that: "My life is a journey of practicing the Dharma." As Buddhist practitioners, we should live up to the Master's spirit of realizing the Buddhdharma with our lives by practicing the Dharma and sharing the benefits we experienced through practicing it with all those in need. This is the best way to repay the kindness of the Master. 


Original text written in Chinese by Chan Meditation Center
Photos provided by Chan Meditation Center
Translated by Siang-ling Li
Edited by YKL, Keith Brown