Event Blog

   by Liz Phang

In a cold early November morning, for the expansion project of Chan Meditation Center, a groundbreaking ceremony was held under the leading of Dharma Drum Mountain Abbot President, Venerable Guodong, and Chan Meditation Center Abbot, Venerable Abbot Guoxing. The autumn wind that chilled u p the crowd of the voluntary crew and the followers of Chan Meditation Center that morning, AP Ven. Guodong interpreted it as a blowing wind that spreads the seed of Dharma Drum and Chan Buddhism throughout the world.

It has been 5 years and 9 months since Master Sheng Yen’s passing. “The Dharma is good, yet so few people know about it, and so many misunderstood it”——based on this simple belief, Master Sheng Yen, the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, a continuation of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism lineage, established Chan Meditation Center in Elmhurst, Queens in 1977, with the purpose of spreading the Dharma of Chan Buddhism to the western world.

With gratitude, AP Ven. Guodong appreciated all attendees and supporters who were there, or not, to dignify the growing with good causes and conditions. For 35 years since the first establishment of Chan Meditation Center, for whose who were there since the first day, or were only there for the first time, all have deep connections and affinity with Master Sheng Yen.According to the natural states of causes and conditions, things around change, yet the vow of Master Sheng Yen and the Dharma followers doesn’t change. In the Dharma talk after the ceremony, AP Ven. Guodong delivered a message that the expansion of the building, is merely a growing sign of the infrastructure. However, the willpower to build the pure land is way bigger than that.

The Dharma Drum, is an indication to the drumming to awaken and ignite the Buddha nature. Under the guideline with correct concept to conduct the practice, it is to eliminate individual’s ignorance, greed and hatred. In addition, to share and communicate with peace and joy, and to uplift human character to build the pure land of mind and earth.

An evolution in the education of Buddhism for all population is adapted in the accordance of new era. The practice of Buddhahood is to understand the phenomena, be tolerant with favorable or adverse situations encountered, to face it, accept it, deal with it, and let go of it. Only then, the Buddha path could be widen and expand.

After a savory vegetarian lunch, a dharma sharing with tea and pastry continued the day. One of Master Sheng Yen’s followers from the early days, Reiki Asher recalled her first memories that he was such an earnest and responsible person with his teaching, and also

manifested in his daily life. Master Sheng Yen often called himself an itinerant monk pressing through wind and snow after years and years of deprivations, tests and turning points along his path in the studies to the propagation of Buddhadharma. He said, every time when I encounter adversity, I often look back at the starting point and ask, how did I come up to this from scratch? As long as I didn’t freeze to death in winter, as long as I didn’t starve to death, this is good enough.