Dharma Library

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

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Fixing the Separator

Calligraphy for the character Chan

Before setting off on my journey to the retreat I was looking forward to the train journey and to a few hours walking before arriving at the Maenllwyd and I was excited at the prospect of coming on another retreat. However as I walked from Caersws the beautiful scenery only occasionally managed to break through my mental meanderings and I felt rather grumpy at the prospect of more communication…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2004 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Anon

Finding the Fullness of Myself

Calligraphy for the character Chan

I arrived at Maenllwyd with a willingness to open to the fullness of my experience, and to be present with that which I regarded as difficult or challenging. I had already been deeply touched by my travelling companions generosity and thoughtfulness regarding our travel arrangements, and my heart was warm and open as we drove through the gates that lead us along the track towards Maenllwyd.

Upon…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2004 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Anon

What's This?

Calligraphy for the character Chan

Since attending the WZR at Pinebush (2004) I have been listening to tapes of John's talks frequently while driving. Earlier today, driving along and listening, John's question: "Are you that question?" in one of his talk segments about "Tell me who you are." triggered something which caused me to exclaim: "That's it!". It is difficult to explain the shift in my definition of "I" and certain…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2004 , Anon , Western Zen Retreat Reports

Silence, Koans, Gongs and Incense

Statue of Buddha on window ledge with meditator behind

Holidays are a complete waste of time!

That's a bit harsh, but you know what I mean. Two days back at work, and where did that wonderful, relaxed 'holiday essence' go? Just like last year, it slipped through your fingers again.

How about if it hung around for a bit longer?

It was with something like this on my mind (and considerable trepidation) that found me driving to Maenllwyd, a remote…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2004 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Others

Not So Silly After All

Calligraphy for the character Chan

A few miles from the Maenllwyd I telephone home. I squirm like a little girl as I sign off with my partner who reassures me that I'll be OK. Going up the track I pass a departing taxi driver who clearly feels a kindly amusement at my foolishness. I pull into the yard and draw up my handbrake as I look at the seated men in my rear view mirror promising myself that I am not going to get out. With my…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2002 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Anon

Opening The Heart

Calligraphy for the character Chan

John Rowan has made immensely important contributions to contemporary psychotherapy and humanistic psychology in Britain. We were therefore delighted when he expressed a wish to join us on retreat. Here are his valuable reflections on his experience. We send him our best wishes. Come again John!! (Eds)

Thursday 20th

Went to catch the 2.10 train to Birmingham-Shrewsbury-Llandrindod Wells. Got to…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2001 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Others

The Heart Sutra - An Introduction

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

Almost as soon as anyone interested in Zen, or indeed almost any form of Mahayana Buddhism, begins to sit with a group of practitioners he or she will encounter the Heart Sutra. Most groups like to include a short liturgy in their evening's 'sit' and it is very probable that the Heart Sutra will form the key element in this. The text is by no means self-explanatory and meditation instructors…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: Highlighted , 2001 , Other Articles , John Crook

Training to Learn, Learning to Train

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

Experience in Chan Teaching

Most of us have read the story of how the great yogin Milarepa trained in Dharma practice in the household of his teacher Marpa. It is one of the classics of Tibetan religious literature and extremely important as a guide for those concerned with questions of how to advance on the Dharma path.

As a boy Milarepa had to endure extreme pain in family life as an uncle…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2001 , Other Articles , John Crook

Seven Years Later!

Calligraphy for the character Chan

It was the first time in seven years that I had been back to Maenllwyd. I had not seen the new Chan hall and was very impressed with the conversion. Sleeping arrangements had improved vastly though the slightly hillbilly, unkempt hay barn look had sadly disappeared.

As to the retreat. Sitting was not bad at all. Slightly more formal than in the old upstairs room. But plenty of zafus. Not much…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2000 , Western Zen Retreat Reports , Anon

The Snowy Heron in the White Moon Hides

Eddy Street

Family therapy and Buddhism

two traditions, two authors, one article

Being

For many years our professional lives and personal /spiritual lives have had a curious intertwining. We have similar and different backgrounds and have interests in both family therapy and Zen Buddhism. We have worked together as family therapists and at work so often our discussions have drifted to spirituality and…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2000 , Other Articles , Eddy Street

In The Spirit of Chan

Simon Child headshot

When I was first asked to lead this short retreat, my first thought was "Why do they need someone to lead a weekend retreat, can't they just gather together and sit together?"

I guessed I would have to provide some sort of teaching. So then I wondered what teaching might be valuable? Perhaps I should regurgitate something remembered from a book or a sutra that I have read but which you may not…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2000 , Simon Child

The Place of Chan in Post-Modern Europe

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

This text is a re-edited version of an article of the same name published in a festchift volume celebrating Master Sheng-yen's 70th birthday. Chung-Hwa Buddhist Journal, (2000) 13.2 549-584. Taipei. Shifu has encouraged me to assist Chan Sanghas in Europe as well as in Britain. Naturally this has caused me to look more closely at continental Buddhism than I might otherwise have done. Some of the…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2000 , Other Articles , John Crook

What is the Western Chan Fellowship

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

Past Patron - The late Venerable Chan Master Dr Sheng Yen

Founding Teacher - The late Chan Master Dr John Crook Chuan-deng Jing-di

What is Chan?

Chan means Meditation, in Chinese. It is the historical root of Japanese Zen. Both Chan and Zen are rooted in the Mahayana traditions of Compassion and Wisdom which are central to the Buddhist path.

Chan employs traditional Buddhist meditation…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: For Newcomers , 2000 , Other Articles , John Crook

Introducing Buddhism: A Guide for Western Beginners

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

Click for Kindle version

Why Begin?

Whenever you arrive as a newcomer at a meditation class in Buddhism the teacher will wonder why you have come. Maybe you are coming because a friend has suggested it; maybe you have heard a radio programme; maybe you have read something exciting about Zen. Whatever it was, the teacher will want to go deeper.

Westerners usually seek to explore meditation or…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: For Newcomers , 2000 , Other Articles , John Crook

A New Proposal: A Lay Zen 'Monastic Centre'

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

It is several years now since I proposed that the casual retreat arrangements at the Maenllwyd might be of greater value to people if we created a charitable institution. Soon the WCF was in being and is now safely established and supported by small affiliated groups in a number of British cities. We have important European contacts and, thanks to Simon Child, a site on the web appreciated by many…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2000 , Other Articles , John Crook

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