I am very grateful to have been accepted to the end of year Seven Days Amitabha Buddha’s Name Recitation Chan Retreat at Chan Meditation Center, NY.

It was my first recitation retreat also the first one I can get to go home at the end of each day. It was getting more and more each day and I think it helped to establish one’s daily practice.

I also liked having new people everyday. It is nice to have the flexibility to participate in the retreat subject to participants' work schedules. I was able to bring my son for a couple of days and that was great.

Thanks to all the monastics for their guidance, Anderson and the volunteers for their efforts in organizing and maintaining us orderly and for the delicious vegetarian food we were treated. Also many thanks to Mina for her daily translation of Shifu’s (Late Master Sheng Yen) dharma talks. It was rich and profound.

Towards the end of the retreat I was able to look at my leg pain as an opportunity to practice impermanence. I saw a little blue/green Buddha’s shape like light for some moments. It was a moment of deep relaxation and calmness.

Thanks again for the opportunity. I am looking forward to the next retreat.