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Dharma Library

A large collection of articles, from past issues of New Chan Forum and more besides.

  • Search by keywords, using the search box
  • Or select articles by various categories such as for newcomers / highlighted, topic or author - click on the buttons found below the listed articles.

  • Fiona Nuttall

    Poem for John

    Fiona Nuttall | 29-01-2018

    Because of your military background and Sandhurst voice,
    Because of your wild white eyebrows, as mobile as eels,
    Because I knew you before I knew you,
    Because you could see with your third eye,
    Because you saw me and smiled,
    Because you said, ‘Are you ready for an adventure?’
    Because I felt heard and known,
    Because of your delight in chocolate biscuits,
    Because of the predictability of cauliflower cheese…

    Read more of: Poem for John
  • Fiona Nuttall

    The Path to Transmission

    Fiona Nuttall | 29-01-2018

    When I was asked to write something for New Chan Forum about how I ended up as Simon’s Dharma heir I took a sharp intake of breath. How could I get that down in sentences? It has been a long, perhaps even tortuous, journey with many side roads and incursions into various unexpected places.

    I discussed this with some Christian friends of mine who I consider to be part of my wider Sangha and whom I…

    Read more of: The Path to Transmission
  • Fiona Nuttall

    Finding The Sacred In The Everyday: The Bodhisattva Path In Social Responsibility

    Fiona Nuttall | 30-06-2009

    For years I was beset by the question; ‘What is serious practice?’ This was a sincere question, for my Buddhism was important to me, I had seen the impact that it had had on me and knew that somehow it had altered my life and the way I felt that I should live it. I wanted to pursue this path, it felt right and I wanted to get it right.

    I threw myself into the practice; by which I mean that I went…

    Read more of: Finding The Sacred In The Everyday: The Bodhisattva Path In Social Responsibility
  • Fiona Nuttall

    Shabkar's Guest: the Breath of the Dragon

    Fiona Nuttall | 31-12-2003

    The Mahamudra Retreat, December 2003

    This was to be my first experience of guestmastering for John. I had guestmastered for others; notably for Hilary, but this was assisting the 'big cheese'. It had the formal label of 'training', even though all retreats; in whatever capacity one participates in them, are training. I was really looking forward to it, but I was also slightly apprehensive.…

    Read more of: Shabkar's Guest: the Breath of the Dragon
  • Fiona Nuttall

    Buddhism and Life

    Fiona Nuttall | 30-08-2003

    It is eleven o'clock at night and I have had to get out of bed to write this. I say, "have to" because I feel compelled or impelled or something. Driven anyway. The latest NCF arrived today and I looked, or more accurately, glanced through it. John was asking how we do our Buddhism in our lives. How we translate our practice into our life. Buddhism has seemed to be a series of translations or…

    Read more of: Buddhism and Life
  • Fiona Nuttall

    Exploits of a Chan Cook, Chan Retreat October 2001

    Fiona Nuttall | 01-11-2001

    I had trained with Pete, one of the established Maenllwyd cooks, in March. I had been ready to cook a short, five-day retreat in June but it had been cancelled due to foot and mouth disease. Suddenly, it all seemed a long time ago. Could I remember any of it, come to that? What utensils were up there and what had Pete taken along himself? Did I need a big stockpot or not? How much cheese did one…

    Read more of: Exploits of a Chan Cook, Chan Retreat October 2001

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©Western Chan Fellowship CIO 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 and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.

Permalink: https://w-c-f.org/Q358

View our retreat programme August 23
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September 7
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Western Zen Retreat
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