New Chan Forum 16

Travelling the Path

In this issue we consider pilgrimage, a theme of importance in many so many spiritual practices. Pilgrimage may be an external activity or an internal process. In our quest for Enlightenment many of us practice both. Not only have several of us made major journeys in recent months visiting famous Buddhist shrines, meeting helpful teachers and exploring the Dharma in ancient lands but we are also starting on a new journey of our own as a brand new institution.

We are happy to be able to announce that, after some months and much deliberation that the constitution of the new WESTERN CH'AN FELLOWSHIP is almost complete. It is out hope that the constitution will be finally decided in February. The growth of institutions such as ours reflects, we believe, an important time of change for Buddhism in the West. The question of what kind of institution we wish to found is central to the how we view our practice. In recent issues we have reflected on the many pitfalls of developing Buddhist organisations. These serve to remind us our involvement must be not only enthusiastic but also self critical and mindful.

In this issue we have a number of articles and poems about some of our outer and inner journeys. Among the many contributions are accounts of a journeys to China by John Crook Mount Kailas by John and by Alec Lawless, to the Ganges by Iris Tute, to Scotland by Ken Jones, and to an enigmatic guru by Carol Evans. Julia Lawless and Avril Furneax also give poetic accounts of two very different kinds of pilgrimage.

Also in this issue John gives a detailed account of the considerations that have led to the formulation of a constitution for the Western Chan Fellowship and Simon Child outlines the story of how the idea of the Fellowship has crystallised and some of the many practical and spiritual considerations along the way. Additionally we have included a summary of some of the main points of the WCF constitution. For those who wish to read it in its entirety copies are available on request.

We hope you will write to us with any views and ideas you may have about this new venture. Feedback is essential in this ongoing process.

• New Chan Forum issue 16