Dharma Library

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

  • Search by keywords, using the search box, and the corresponding articles will be listed below the search box (followed by recently published articles).
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Chronological List of articles:

Mindfulness and 'Mindfulness Training'

Eddy Street

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness can be interpreted in two ways;

  • concentration which is narrow and laser-like
  • awareness which is more panoramic. 

These are obviously linked, for with concentration there is the focus, and awareness is knowing that one is focused. When we are aware we are mindful not only of what we are doing but the feelings, the emotions that are arising and what's happening…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Eddy Street

Friends of Manjushree Vidyapith School and Orphanage (FMVSO)

Calligraphy for the character Chan

Last autumn John Crook organized a 2 week journey to the Buddhist sites of Arunachal Pradesh in the Himalayas of North East India. The remote district of Tawang is situated at 10-12,000 feet in an area of outstanding natural beauty but relative impoverishment. Access requires 2 days of tiring journey along winding mountain roads made treacherous by mudslides and avalanches. There is no access…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Others

Keep Practicing!

Calligraphy for the character Chan

The retreat was a scientific experiment and the constants were meditation, eating, working, sleeping, waking, meditating. The repetition of the same actions over time showed the illusions of the mind and how untrustworthy the mind is. After the turmoil came a calm and then an essence appeared.

Who Am I?

I can't describe who "I" am any longer. All labels have dropped as they are all illusions.…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Anon

Everything In Its Place

Calligraphy for the character Chan

I approached the retreat with some trepidation owing to my being workmaster, my first time on a retreat of any size. Previously I had carried out this role, but only on smaller retreats and very much as an assistant. This time I had to get things organised and, most worrying of all, get up in the morning and get things started! Not only that, but make sure I didn't miss giving any signals and…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Anon , Koan Retreat Reports

Seeing the Wonder

Calligraphy for the character Chan

The context for attending this retreat feels important. It was the first retreat I had sat as a participant for 2 years - I had acted as Guestmaster on a couple of retreats since then, the last occasion being six months previously on a Western Zen Retreat, when I had sat in on some interviews with the retreat leader. I had really enjoyed this, but I continue to feel it is a privilege to be asked…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Anon , Silent Illumination Retreat Reports

Practice for Now

Simon Child headshot

The Second Talk given on Silent Illumination, at the two week retreat, April 2006, at the Maenllwyd.

Yesterday I mentioned some of the history of Silent Illumination and how it starts with Honghzhi. In fact it goes back further than that and I found a reference in the Sutra of Hui-neng, the Platform Sutra. Most of you probably know the Platform Sutra, or at least the first chapter of it which is…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Simon Child

A WCF Centre for Buddhist Education: Proposal for Discussion

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd


On further reflection concerning the possible futures of the WCF (See NCF 31) I have recently come up with the following ideas.

1. The WCF does very well in promoting the Dharma through the medium of intensive retreats. Many retreatants come again and again to one or other of our events. This is all to the good. However many retreats simply serve a remedial function for those stressed by the…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , John Crook

Cardiff is a Nice Place

Eddy Street

Evidently inspired by the Ten Koans of Layman John (NCF32) Eddy recalled this finely crafted koan. Enjoy. Tsan!! Eds

At a time of great personal turmoil, Layman Street, who had not yet stepped onto the Path, had it suggested to him that he visit Lam Rim Buddhist Centre and speak with Geshe Damchos Yontan. Layman Street had only read about meeting with Buddhist teachers and he had the notion that…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Eddy Street

Richard Hunn (Upasaka Wen Shu) Passes Away

Calligraphy for the character Chan

Many of us will remember Richard personally, perhaps especially from his warm and characterful leadership of a weekend retreat for the Bristol Ch'an Group held at Ross Cuthbert's painting studio some years ago. I regretted Richard's disappearance to Japan as he was a valued colleague but I rejoice to hear that his life was so good there. We remember his life with gratitude. JHC

Richard Hunn…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2006 , Obituaries , Others

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