Dharma Library

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

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Remembering Iris

Iris Tute

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 , Other Articles , 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 , Other Articles , Others

Ancient Teachers in Full Flow

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

On two occasions during our tour, we met extraordinary ninety-year-old masters who were clearly delighted to be talking with us. These two men were rarities indeed. Their monastic careers cover a vast length of time including the period of repression of Buddhism under the communists. In Yun Men Si some years ago, my friend Yiu Yan-nang and I had talked with the Guestmaster who had said that the…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Other Articles , John Crook

The Buddhas Do Not Understand!

Calligraphy for the character Chan

A monk said to the Master "The Buddhas of past present and future don't understand. Cats and oxen do. Why don't the Buddhas understand?" Master Nanquan replied, "Before they entered the Deer Park they knew it. "The monk said, "How is it that cats and oxen do know it?" "How could you doubt that they do?" responded Nanquan.

When I read the list of koans in this Koan retreat, I was intrigued by…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Anon , Koan Retreat Reports

Meditation and Personal Disclosure: The Western Zen Retreat

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

Supreme accomplishment is to realize immanence without hope. (Tilopa1)

In the last couple of years several people have asked me to contribute something on the Western Zen Retreat to the NCF. This was indeed the founding retreat practised at the Maenllwyd before Shi fu came there and the WCF was founded. We prefer all practitioners to begin by attending one of them before proceeding to other Chan…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Other Articles , John Crook

Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution: David R Loy

David Loy

This book comprises fourteen essays which originally appeared as articles or talks by one of the leading theoreticians and popularisers of socially engaged Buddhism. 'Liberated Buddhism' is the focus of the first half. By this Loy means that "Buddhism needs to take advantage of its encounter with modern / postmodern civilisation - offering a greater challenge than Buddhism has ever faced before --…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , Book Reviews , Ken Jones

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