Activities

Ongoing activities at Chan Meditation Center

Retreats: 

Special Events

Sunday Open House at CMC:

Every Sunday (Except Jan. 29 for Lunar New Year, Apr. 9 and Aug. 13 for Earthstore Bodhisattva Recitation, and May 15 for Buddha's Birthday Celebration) 
The Center set up this open house so that families, friends, and neighbors can explore and join our various programs. Everyone is welcome to participate.

• 10:00 - 11:00am   Group Meditation
• 11:00 - 12:30pm   Dharma talk**
• 12:30 - 1:00pm     Lunch Offering & Announcement
• 1:00   - 1:45pm     Vegetarian Lunch ($3 donation requested)
• 2:00   - 3:00pm     Devotional chanting of Guanyin Bodhisattva and Dharma discussion
• 4:00   - 6:00pm     Choir

**Dharma talks: Master Sheng Yen on "Surangama Sutra"; resident monastics on "Platform Sutra" or "Diamond Sutra".

$3 requested donation for the vegetarian lunch.

Monday Night Chanting:

Every Monday 7:30 - 9:15pm. Free of charge.
Devotional chanting of Amitabha Buddha. 88-Buddha Repentance on last Monday of the month.

Tuesday Evening Sittings at CMC:

Every Tuesday. 7:00 - 9:45pm. Free of charge.
All who have previous experience in meditation are welcome. Activities include sitting meditation, yoga exercise, chanting of the Heart Sutra, and discussion of Chan Master Sheng Yen's books. Tea time at the end.

Thursday Night Tai Chi Chuan Classes:

Thursday from 7:30 to 9:00pm, All Levels are welcome.
$80 (16 classes in total) or
$25 per month (4 weeks as a month).
First Thursday of the month is free for newcomers.
Translated literally the Chinese word Tai means great; chi means origin; and chuan, exercise or boxing with the hands. Tai Chi Chuan is a gentle and relaxing form of exercise using the hands. It has absorbed all the best qualities of Chinese traditional therapeutic exercise. Instructor: David Ngo.

Saturday Sittings at CMC:

Every Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Free of charge.
Open to all who have previous experience in meditation. Each period is half an hour with yoga or walking meditation in between sittings. Participants can join and leave the sittings between periods and sit for as many periods as they wish.
(Closed on Jan. 14 for 1-day Recitation Retreat and Jan. 21 for 1-day Chan Retreat)

Saturday Afternoon Yoga Classes:

Saturday, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 / Mar. 4, 11, 18 / April 1, 8, 15.
From 3pm to 4:30pm ($80 for all 10 classes, $10 for each class)
All levels are welcome.
Yoga is a Sanskrit term. It's definition implies its purpose: to unite the mind, body, and spirit to enhance health and to improve the overall quality of life. Yoga can increase energy and reduce stress. Instructor: Rikki Asher. 

Beginners' Meditation Classes

The classes on Buddhist meditation include instruction on methods of sitting, breathing, walking, sleeping, yoga exercises, self-massage, theories and obstacles in meditation, and stages of meditation. Total 10 hours, 4 sessions.

Saturday from 9:30am to 12 noon
Basic: 2 Classes, $40
Intermediate: 2 Classes, $40
Classes open upon sufficient interest. Please call CMC (718)-592-6593 and sign up.

Chinese Classes

Starting February 2005, the Chan Center has been offering basic Chinese classes
every Sunday from 3:30 to 5 pm.
Suggested donation is $10 per class.

One-Day Chan Retreat

Saturday, Jan. 21 / Aug. 19 / Oct. 21 
From 9am to 5pm.
An opportunity for serious practitioners to sustain their practice and receive guidance from the resident teachers.
This retreat is open to people who have taken the Beginner's Meditation Classes or already have an established meditation practice.
Please call CMC for enrollment first.
Please arrive before 8:40 am.

One-day Recitation Retreat at CMC

Saturday, Jan. 14 / May 6 / July 22   
From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Intensive practice in recitation, prostration, sitting, chanting gatha in praise of Buddha, and dedications.
Please arrive before 8:40 am.

Three-Day Recitation (Chanting) Retreat

Mar. 23 - 26 (Thursday 9:00 pm to Sunday 5:00 pm) 
Sep. 1 - 4 (Friday 9:00 pm to Monday 5:00 pm) 
Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Pine Bush, New York.
Intensive practice in recitation, prostration, sitting, chanting gatha in praise of Buddha, and dedications of merit.
To register, please call Chan Meditation Center at (718)-592-6593.
Please leave your name and phone number.

Family Zen Camp at DDRC

July 13 - 16 (Thursday to Sunday)
Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Pine Bush, New York.
Program includes bonfire, outdoor meditation, Buddhist stories, Q/A, experiencing mindfulness, family workshop
Application: Chan Meditation Center, (718)-592-6593. Please apply in June.

3-Day / 6-Day College Zen Camp at DDRC

This Zen Camp is for college students and young professionals who are interested in learning about Buddhism but are new to the practice.
Application: www.collegedharma.org or
Email: wemeditate@gmail.com or
contact CMC, Queens NY at (718)-592-6593.
Free of Charge.

3-Day College Zen Camp

Jan. 5 - 8 (Thur. 8:30 pm - Sun. 5:00 pm)

5-Day College Zen Camp

July 31 - Aug. 6 (Mon. 8:30 pm - Sun. 5:00 pm)

5-Day Western Zen Retreat

Mar. 10 - 15 (Fri. 6:00 pm - Wed. 10:00 am)

This is an East-West psychology retreat that is related to Buddhist philosophy.  Program will be under the guidance of Drs. John Crook and Simon Child who have received transmission from Chan Master Sheng Yen, and assisted by Dr. Hillary Richards.   Please call, write or download for an application form from DDRC website and send it in two months in advance.  Acceptance letter will be sent one month before the retreat.

Please arrive at DDRC 6:00 PM

7-Day / 10-Day Intensive Chan Retreats at DDRC

An opportunity to deepen our practice and look into the meaning of our lives. These retreats are open to practitioners who have taken a formal meditation class and participated in the 3-day retreat at least once.
Place: Dharma Drum Retreat Center, Pine Bush, New York.

We regret to inform you that Master Sheng Yen will not be coming to the U.S. this winter. Therefore, Ven. Guo Jun Fa Shi, who has received Dharma transmission from Master Sheng Yen, will be acting as head teacher for the upcoming Silent Illumination and Huatou retreats. Dharma talks at these retreats will likely be presented as DVD recordings of previous retreat lectures given by Master Sheng Yen.

In a recent routine medical check-up, Master Sheng Yen's doctor has urged him to take a break from travel. Due to the extraordinary demand on his time and energy in preparation for the inauguration ceremony of the Dharma Drum Mountain headquarters in Taiwan, Master Sheng Yen has decided to heed the advise of his doctor and cancel his travel plans as a preventive measure.

We apologize for any inconvenience this recent development may cause. We hope you will still join us on retreat. However, if you wish to change your retreat plans, please feel free to contact us at apply@dharmadrumretreat.org.

3-Day Chan Retreat

Feb. 17 - 20 (Fri. 8:30 pm - Mon. 5:00 pm)

5-Day Chan Retreat

July 7 - 12 (Fri. 6:00 pm - Wed. 10:00 am)

10-Day Huatou Retreat

May 26 - June 4 (Fri. 5:00 pm - Sun. 10:00 am)

Nov. 26 - Dec. 3 (Fri. 5:00 pm - Sun. 10:00 am)

10-Day Silent Illumination Retreat

June 24 - July 3 (Sat. 5:00 pm - Mon. 10:00 am)

Dec. 26 - Jan. 04, 2007 (Tue. 5:00 pm - Thur. 10:00 am)

Please call, write or download form from DDRC website for application and apply at least three months in advance. A letter of acceptance will be sent out one month prior to the retreats. http://www.dharmadrumretreat.org/ Email:ddrc@dharmadrumretreat.org Tel.: (845)-744-8114 Fax: (845)-744-8483

Special Events

Lunar New Year Celebration:

Sunday, Jan. 29 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

A day of celebration with programs for adults and children. The day will include a Dharma talk by Master Jen Chun, chanting, vegetarian feast, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome.

Public Lecture by Dr. John Crook

Thursday, March 9 from 7:00 to 9:00pm. 

Dr. John Crook, the founder of the Western Chan Fellowship,  received the Dharma transmission from Chan Master Sheng  Yen in 1993.  He has been leading various retreats in Europe and the U.S. ever since.

Great Compassion Dharani Repentance Service at CMC

Jan. 8 / Feb. 12 / Mar. 12 / Apr. 9 / May 14 / June 11 / July 9 / Aug. 13 / Sep. 10 / Oct. 8. / Nov. 12 / Dec. 10.
Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Recitation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvaras Dharani and Vows of compassion.
We invite you to join us to bring about the joy and hope of beginning anew.

Earthstore Bodhisattva Sutra Recitation

Sunday Apr. 9, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Sunday Aug. 13, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Recitation of The Sutra of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha's Fundamental Vows.
Transfer merits to the Deceased and Blessings for the Living.
Please arrive at CMC before 9:15 am. Click here for application form.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration:

Sunday, May 14, from 10am to 3pm. 

The day will include a Dharma talk by Master Jen Chun and Chan Master Sheng-yen, bathing of the baby Buddha statue, chanting, vegetarian feast, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome.

Chan Master Sheng Yen's T.V. Program

"Zen & Inner Peace"
Saturdays midnight 12:00 am at WNYE(C-25) TV station.
Please contact CMC for more information.

Praying Service for the Deceased

Chan Master Sheng Yen said "Praying Service for the Deceased is an adorned Buddhism Ceremony"
The purpose of forming the praying group is to care our members and their family and friends, and to advocate the Buddhist Service for the Deceased. We welcome and encourage all of our members to join this group.