Who are the Western Chan Fellowship?
Chan is the Chinese ancestor of Zen Buddhism. The Western Chan Fellowship is an association of lay Chan practitioners. We are a lay Sangha, based in the UK.
We are registered as a charity in England and Wales. We also have contacts in Europe, principally in Poland, Croatia and Switzerland, and also in USA. Our Zen retreats and other activities are open equally to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
Zen retreat, Buddhist retreat, meditation retreat, silent retreat
We lead a range of different types of Buddhist meditation retreats at centres in England and Wales.
Some of our Zen meditation retreats follow the traditional methods of practice. Others such as our 'Western Zen Retreat' include adaptations to match the needs of Westerners. Most of our Zen retreats are silent retreats - read the retreat descriptions for details.
Zen meditation groups
We have Chan meditation groups meeting around the UK. Visit us to ask about meditation and the Western Chan Fellowship.
You will find participation in a Zen sangha helpful. It supports and develops your practice and your cultivation of mindfulness in daily life.
Online meditation and discussion meetings
COVID-19 introduced us all to online events. Some online events continue to be hosted. Online groups may welcome participation of people who do not live near the hosting group.
Visit our Online Events page to see the full list of activities.
Our Chan Buddhist Lineage
Our Guiding Teacher is Chan Master Simon Child, 淨宏傳法 Jing-hong Chuan-fa. He is the second Western Dharma heir of the late Chan Master Sheng Yen of Taiwan. He received Dharma Transmission in the Dharma Drum lineage in 2000. This lineage includes both Linji and Caodong, i.e. both Rinzai and Soto.
Our Founding Teacher was Master Sheng Yen's first Western Dharma Heir, Dr John Crook.
Our meditation practice
Our practice includes a variety of Buddhist meditation methods. We teach methods from the lineages of both Linji Chan (Japanese: Rinzai Zen) and Caodong Chan (Japanese: Soto Zen).
We use Chan practices such as Gongan (Japanese: Koan), Huatou, and Silent Illumination (Ch. Mo-zhao, the source of Jap. Shikantaza zazen or “just sitting”). We use general Buddhist methods such as counting or following the breath. We also practice mindful movement in the form of qigong and walking meditation, work practice, and more.
November 15
Silent Illumination Zen Retreat
Residential Retreat
7 Nights
November 29
Western Zen Retreat
Residential Retreat
5 Nights
December 7
Kent Chan Day Retreat
Day Retreat
February 11
Introduction to Meditation, Buddhism and Chan (online)
Online course
February 14
Western Zen Retreat
Residential Retreat
5 Nights
March 28
Silent Illumination Zen Retreat
Residential Retreat
7 Nights
April 25
Zen Koan Retreat
Residential Retreat
7 Nights
May 23
Everyday Zen Silent Meditation Retreat
Residential Retreat
5 Nights
July 4
Silent Illumination Zen Retreat
Residential Retreat
7 Nights
August 1
Western Zen Retreat
Residential Retreat
5 Nights
Latest News
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Newsletter 53 and Retreat Programme 2026
Read more of: Newsletter 53 and Retreat Programme 2026Newsletter 53, with the Retreat Programme for the first half of 2026, is now available for download
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Introduction to Meditation, Buddhism and Chan (online)
Read more of: Introduction to Meditation, Buddhism and Chan (online)Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm from 11th February 2026
Presented by Sian Thomas and Stuart McLeod
This free course, consisting of four weekly online 75 minute sessions, is an opportunity to become familiar with a meditation practice and to learn about Buddhism and Chan. The course covers core teachings of the Buddha as well as the roots of Chan Buddhism and practices, namely Silent Illumination…
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New Chan Buddhism reading list available
Read more of: New Chan Buddhism reading list availableWCF leaders have collaborated to create a new reading list featuring newer books as well as old favourites.
Wherever you are on the Buddhist path, whatever you are looking for, there is a book in this list to interest you.
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Newsletter 52, Retreat programme 2025
Read more of: Newsletter 52, Retreat programme 2025Newsletter 52 with Retreat Programme 2025 is now available for download.
This newsletter also includes a notice on reductions of retreat fees, local group news, and notice of our 2025 AGM on June 22nd.
More News
View more WCF news
©Western Chan Fellowship CIO 2006, 2008-2025. May not be quoted for commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to quote for non-commercial purposes may seek permission from the WCF Secretary.
The articles on this website have been submitted by various authors. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.
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