Dharma Library

This library provides a database of articles, some from past issues of New Chan Forum and some available only from the website.

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Chronological List of articles:

Master Yen Wai of Hong Kong

Calligraphy for the character Chan

When I arrived in Hong Kong (1953) on my National Service during the Korean War, I soon set about trying to meet Chinese people. I wanted to follow up my reading of Buddhism carried out during the several weeks' voyage on the troop ship from Southampton. Through contacts with the HK university I met Professor Ma Meng who introduced me to a Mr Yen Shi liang, a Buddhist merchant with an embroidery…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Others

A Day in the Life of Bruce in Sogenji

Calligraphy for the character Chan

Last year Bruce Stevenson took himself off to Japan for a period of practice in a Zen monastery. This was not Bruce's first such expedition but it is the first he has written about for us. Let us continue this issue then with a further account of experiences in the distant East. Bruce tells us Sogenji is, as far as he knows, the only monastery in Japan full of Westerners - well this includes a…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Others

Epiphany

Ken Jones headshot

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

T.S. Eliot - The Rock

The open door of the shabby little Hotel de la Gare. The municipal street washer has just clattered over the cobbles, freshening the air before the sun gets up. On their way to work, the locals drop in for a  petit noir or a shot of something stronger. Hands are briefly…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

Ten Zen Questions

dr-susan-blackmore

This short extract introduces you to Sue Blackmore's new book in which she puzzles her way into certain serious Zen questions. You must read it to decide whether she has solved them or not but her discussion is characteristically lively and interesting; further more it is based in retreats at Maenllwyd. We place it here for your interest and information. Eds.

The idea for "Ten Zen Questions" 1…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Susan Blackmore , Book Reviews

Remembering Iris

Calligraphy for the character Chan

I was privileged to be with Iris on two occasions during her final days, when she had gone over to palliative care and was, with cheerful equanimity, waiting to move on... A long dedicated Follower of the Way, Iris had admirably completed the Work, and recently had had two out-of-body experiences -- a preliminary reconnaissance perhaps? I was hugely impressed and not a little envious!

Iris was…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Obituaries , Others

Iris Tute - In Memoriam

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd


I heard of Iris' death today with great sadness. Even though I knew Iris had suffered long and with great courage, I feel her passing to be a very personal loss and know her many friends will be feeling the same way.

I deeply regret not being with you here today; especially because I know she would have liked me to be here. I send these words as a small contribution as we remember her life…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , John Crook , Obituaries

Abide in the Unborn

Calligraphy for the character Chan

Two experiences come to mind from the retreat:

One morning as I walked outside the Chan hall, I observed 15 to 20 birds darting in and out of trees in unison as they flew up the hill. I felt a sudden jolt, like someone had thrust a knife into my heart. "Huh!" I gasped. But, it was not pain that I felt, it was pure, intense joy. I'm not exactly sure what happened but, in a way, I became those …

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Anon , Koan Retreat Reports

Hope For The Future

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

During my last visit to Dharma Drum Retreat Centre in Pine Bush, New York, I was introduced to Dena Miriam the head of the Global Peace Initiative of Women based in Manhattan. We discussed the world crisis and I promised her a copy of my new book, World Crisis and Buddhist Humanism, as soon as it appeared. In due course I sent a copy to her and received an invitation to attend the Conference of…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , John Crook

6. Using the Self to Transcend the Self

Ken Jones headshot

This is one of an ongoing series of writings which encapsulate talks given on various retreats. Several of the originals were not recorded at all or else have been recorded in different locations, with much overlap, and with the disadvantages of unedited, ad hoc records. This series is produced in response to several requests for a more permanent and edited record, for distribution to past…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

5. The Zen of Intimate Relationship

Ken Jones headshot

This is one of an ongoing series of writings which encapsulate talks given on various retreats, and which now more resemble "chapters". Several of the originals were not recorded at all or else have been recorded in different locations, with much overlap, and with the disadvantages of unedited, ad hoc records. This series is produced in response to several requests for a more permanent and edited…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

4. Varieties of Spiritual Materialism

Ken Jones headshot

This is one of an ongoing series of writings which encapsulate talks given on various retreats, and which now more resemble "chapters". Several of the originals were not recorded at all or else have been recorded in different locations, with much overlap, and with the disadvantages of unedited, ad hoc records. This series is produced in response to several requests for a more permanent and edited…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

3. The Practice of Emotional Awareness

Ken Jones headshot

(Revised October 2009). This is one of an ongoing series of writings which encapsulate talks given on various retreats, and which now more resemble "chapters". Several of the originals were not recorded at all or else have been recorded in different locations, with much overlap, and with the disadvantages of unedited, ad hoc records. This series is produced in response to several requests for a…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

2. Spiritual Materialism, Enlightenment and the Buddha Nature

Ken Jones headshot

This is one of an ongoing series of writings which encapsulate talks given on various retreats, and which now more resemble "chapters". Several of the originals were not recorded at all or else have been recorded in different locations, with much overlap, and with the disadvantages of unedited, ad hoc records. This series is produced in response to several requests for a more permanent and edited…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

1. The Lifelong Lawsuit against Reality

Ken Jones headshot

This is one of an ongoing series of writings which encapsulate talks given on various retreats, and which now more resemble "chapters". Several of the originals were not recorded at all or else have been recorded in different locations, with much overlap, and with all the disadvantages of unedited, ad hoc records. This series is produced in response to several requests for a more permanent and…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Ken Jones

Shifu's Legacy

Calligraphy for the character Chan

This has been a noteworthy year at Dharma Drum Retreat Center. Since we lost our Shifu in February, one might expect an atmosphere of desolation and loss. Instead, we are enjoying one of the most vibrant periods in the history of the place. More than one person has remarked on it. It is as if, having left the body, Shifu's Dharma spirit is manifesting itself in the heirs and students he left…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Others

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