Dharma Gathering

11/15/2008
Report by Guo Shang Fashi

On Saturday, November 15, 2008, Chan Meditation Center hosted a reception for English-speaking practitioners and the Abbot-President, Venerable Guo Dong. Over sixty people were treated to a buffet prepared by the dharma teachers in training. It was a wonderful opportunity people to get to know their fellow practitioners in a casual atmosphere. The gathering was represented by people of many different nationalities, a reflection of the diversity of this city.

The Abbot-President took refuge with Shifu in 1991 and became a monastic in 1993. In 2006, Venerable became the second abbot of DDM, and following in Shifu's footsteps, continues to travel widely to spread Buddhadharma. After dinner, the Abbot-President gave a brief dharma talk which was encouraging, uplifting, and displayed a wonderful sense of humor. Venerable reminded us that in these troubling times, while we may have little or no control over our situations, we do have control over our attitudes towards them. He encouraged us to be in the moment, continue to have hope and faith and that, 'When there's peace in mind, there's peace in life'.

We had the chance to get acquainted with the Abbess of CMC, Venerable Guo Chan. In a candid and humble manner, Venerable shared the life-changing experiences that led her to become a monastic, Shifu's executive-secretary, and our current abbess, and the challenges of taking on leadership.

The evening concluded with a Q&A session. When asked, 'What does it mean to him to deliver sentient beings?', the Abbot President answered that it is an opportunity to practice and strengthen the Bodhi Mind and that he is grateful for the chance to see his own progress.