In Memory of Dr. John Crook

Dr. John Crook had deep connections with Dharma Drum Mountain. For many years, he had studied Chan meditation under the late Master Sheng Yen (Shifu.) Not only did Dr. Crook participate in ten 7-day intensive Chan retreats and a -day intensive Chan retreat with Shifu, he also invited Shifu to lead four 7-day intensive retreats in England.

In 1989, Shifu affirmed Dr. Crook’s experience of “seeing the nature” and was given permission to lead meditation retreats in the West on his behalf. In 1993, in a special ceremony, Shifu gave transmission to Dr. Crook, making him a 58th generation of the Linji (Rinzai) tradition. Dr. Crook’s dharma name was Chuan-Deng Jing-Di.

When I received news on July 16 of Dr. Crook’s passing, I was shocked by the unexpectedness of this. Although the Buddha taught us that this is the principle of causes and conditions, however, we lost another beacon of Chinese Chan Buddhism and the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chinese Chan and a mentor on the Bodhi path. I feel deeply saddened. We will cherish the memory of Dr. Crook’s vows and compassion of sharing the Buddhadharma.

I hope that Dr. Crook, like my teacher, the late Master Sheng Yen, would return to the human realm to spread Chinese Chan Buddhism and deliver sentient beings.

Dharma Drum Retreat Center’s Abbot Venerable Guo Xing, Director Venerable Chang Wen and Shifu’s Dharma Heir Venerable Chi Chern will be representing Dharma Drum Mountain to join the funeral of Dr. Crook on July 29. In addition to paying tribute to Dr. Crook, they will also express our gratitude to Dr. Crook, Dr. Simon Child and the Western Chan Fellowship for their tireless work and contribution in spreading Chinese Chan Buddhism in the West.

I believe with your efforts, Chinese Chan Buddhism will continue to thrive in the West and bear fruit. This was also Shifu’s vow to share Chinese Chan Buddhism around the world.

Finally, I would like to express my highest esteem to Dr. Crook on behalf of Dharma Drum Mountain.

Yours sincerely,
 
Venerable Guo Dong
Abbot President
Dharma Drum Mountain

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