Western Chan Fellowship

The Western Chan Fellowship was formed in 1997 and registered as a charity in 1998. It was based on a network of local groups that formed following the first teaching visit to the UK in 1989 of the Venerable Chan Master Dr Sheng-yen. Master Sheng-yen is Abbot of a monastery in Taiwan and Head of the Institutes of Chung Hwa Buddhist Culture in Taiwan and New York.

Master Sheng-yen has visited the UK four times and has passed on to us a view of the Dharma (teaching) based on his experience in both the main lineages of Chan (Linji (Rinzai) and Caodong (Soto). He is a second generation teacher in the lineage of the Great Master Hsu Yun who did so much to restore Chan to China in the early years of the 20th century. Master Sheng-yen has also trained in Japan following the tradition of Harada Roshi, from whom several lineages of American Zen are currently descended. In Japan he also received a doctorate in Buddhist studies and is today a much-respected scholar. In attempting to transmit the wisdom of Master Sheng-yen, we have a tradition on which we can rely.

In April 1989, Master Sheng-yen came to the Maenllwyd Retreat Centre in Mid Wales and Dr John Crook, who trains with him in New York, acted as Guestmaster. At the end of the retreat John was asked to run orthodox Chan retreats in Britain as the representative of Master Sheng-yen. John was subsequently invited to function as teacher to the Bristol Chan Group, the first of the WCF local groups. In 1993 John received the Dharma transmission from Master Sheng-yen and is thus a fully authorised teacher in the same lineage. We are a group of lay practitioners with properly authenticated teachers. We approach Chan through practice, talks and everyday life. Many people find that participation in retreat is an important part of their approach. Our evening meetings are linked to both informal local day retreats led by the local group meditation instructors and sometimes invited teachers from other traditions, and to more disciplined retreats held in Wales. An introductory retreat - the Western Zen Retreat - is recommended before participation in a full Chan retreat.