Global Buddhist Community
Encountering with Master Sheng Yen in Russia
In 1998 and 2003, Master Sheng Yen visited Saint Petersburg and Moscow respectively to give guidance for local Buddhist practitioners, introducing Chan teachings into Russia. Over the past 19 years, how have his Russian disciples helped spread the seeds of Chan Buddhism and progressed with their practice? This in-depth interview with Sasha and Rinya, leaders of Wujimen Martial Art School and Buddhist organization in Saint Petersburg, will give you a glimpse of how Chan practice ...
Learning and benefiting from Chan Buddhism
Q1:What motivated you to learn Chan and Buddhism in the first place? Sasha: I started taking interest in Buddhism in my youth already, when I began practicing martial arts. At that time during my practice I found my mind and psyche in states that could not be appropriate for an advanced Wushu practitioner. My interest led me to understand that the state of calmness, clarity and concentration is the subject of Chan practice. Later my motivation became somewhat broader as I started thi...
Challenges and opportunities to practice Chan
Q1:What are the most challenging things to practice in Moscow? Sasha: The lack of understanding and weak motivation lead to the practice itself becoming irregular and random because of being busy and having no time. This is a superficial level. Having no opportunity to address questions to a Teacher of undoubted competency, in my opinion, creates a gap between the immediate practice of Zuo Chan and Dharma, impeding the understanding of their actual interconnection. This leads to the...
Continuation of Chan practices in the family
Q1:How do you practice Chan, being a couple? Sasha: The latest period of our joint practice started on October 18, 2016, with the simultaneous addition of two masculine pusas to our family. Our practice became ensuring their life sustenance and our own survival. I had thought that it would be very difficult for me to quit my usual life mode which included Chan practice, my Wushu and calligraphy. All that together with teaching was taking practically all my time. Now my practice is th...