WCF News

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WCF member Marian Partington’s new book is Book of the Week in the 'Mail on Sunday'

Book cover, "If You Sit Very Still"

Marian Partington spent 18 years writing her book, If You Sit Very Still. Drawing heavily on Buddhist practice, and particularly on her experiences during retreats at the Maenllwyd, Marian engages with the traumatic loss of her sister, Lucy, at the hands of Fred and Rosemary West. In the pages of the book, Marian charts her narrative of healing, and finds an authentic and compassionate response.…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2012 , WCF News

New Teacher of the Western Chan Fellowship

Simon Child speaking at WCF AGM 2012

On 28th January, Dr Simon Child Chuan-fa Jing-hong, Chan Master Sheng Yen's third Dharma Heir, was confirmed as the new Teacher of the Western Chan Fellowship. His appointment was unanimously approved by members of the Western Chan Fellowship at an Annual General Meeting. It was a poignant occasion since this was also the Western Chan Fellowship's third annual Memorial Day for Chan Master Sheng…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2012 , WCF News

Conference Recordings now online

David Loy with Mike Masheder

The recordings of the conference Western Buddhism: Engaged Buddhism? are now online for you to download if you wish.

Visit the audio page.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2012 , WCF News

Ashes Ceremony for Chan Master John Crook

Processing to the hilltop

The photographs of the ashes ceremony for Chan Master John Crook are now available for viewing.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2012 , WCF News

Letter to Members of the Western Chan Fellowship

Calligraphy for the character Chan

I am writing to you and all the other members of the Western Chan Fellowship following a joint meeting of the Executive Committee and WCF retreat leaders on the weekend of October 1st and 2nd.

As you probably know, for the first 49 days after John's death we observed a 'Bardo' period, borrowing from the Tibetan Tradition. Subsequently, we discovered that a 49 day period is also observed in the…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Funeral and Memorial Ceremonies

Black and white photo, John Crook in Poland, May 2011

There are two events and the family very generously extended invitations to anyone who wishes to attend either or both events.

  • A Buddhist funeral service was held on Friday 29th July 2011 at Weston-super-Mare Crematorium, Ebdon Rd, BS22 9NY and afterwards at his home near Shipham in Somerset.
  • A memorial service will be held at Maenllwyd, Pant-y-dwr in Wales on Saturday 10th September 2011 at 12.00…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Memoriam and Obituary from Dharma Drum Mountain

John Crook, in maroon Tibetan robe

Two messages have been received from Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain, Ven Guo Dong Fashi, an obituary and an in memoriam

Visit the Obituaries and Condolences page for John Crook

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Condolences Message Book, and Obituaries

John Crook standing in front of his car, with a mug in his hand

We now have a webpage dedicated to obituaries and condolences for the late John Crook. You may also submit your own message of condolence from this page.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Family Condolences

John Crook watching red kites flying

Messages of condolence to John's family may be addressed to John's son Stamati as follows:

Stamati Crook
c/o Winterhead Hill Farm
Shipham
North Somerset
BS25 1RS
UK

Cards/letters are preferred, but emails may be addressed to:

Email: stamati.crook@redware.com

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Letter from Ven Guo Xing Fashi to the Western Chan Fellowship

John Crook, laughing, with a rainbow behind him

Dear members of the Western Chan Fellowship,

On behalf of the Abbot President and sangha members of Dharma Drum Mountain, we would like to express our sincere condolences on the recent passing of Dr. John Crook. We also send our thoughts and prayers to you and John’s family at this difficult time. It is impossible to adequately express our sincere sympathy at this most difficult time.

Impermanen…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

The Passing of Chan Master John Crook

John Crook, at Battery Park with the statue of liberty in the far distance behind him

It is with great sadness and sense of loss that we announce that Chan Master Dr John Crook has died suddenly at his home in Somerset, UK.

John was the first Western Dharma Heir of the late Chan Master Sheng Yen. He was the founding Teacher of the Western Chan Fellowship which is a lay Chan Buddhist community with members and associates in UK and Europe. He was a pioneer who brought great wisdom…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Letter from Cadzand on Socially Engaged Buddhism

Calligraphy for the character Chan

On 18-19 June 2011, the committee 'Buddhism and Society' of the European Buddhist Union (of which WCF is a member) organised an informal networking weekend, hosted by the Naropa Institute in Cadzand, the Netherlands. Socially engaged Buddhist networks from the United States, Asia and Europe were represented.

Attached please find a report from that meeting.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

Western Buddhism: Engaged Buddhism? Conference in Bristol, October 29/30

Calligraphy for the character Chan

What do Buddhist insights have to offer today's suffering world? As Buddhists, how should we relate our practice to the huge and increasing inequalities we see around us. How should our Buddhist perspectives inform actions to ease that suffering?

A WCF conference entitled "Western Buddhism: Engaged Buddhism?" will take place at the Oddfellows Hall in Bristol on the weekend of 29th and 30th…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2011 , WCF News

World Crisis and Buddhist Humanism. End Games: Collapse or Renewal of Civilisation

Cover of the book World Crisis and Buddhist Humanism

John Crook's latest book is now in print and available for purchase. Read how to purchase at a discounted price directly from WCF.

"This is a book that will have an immediate appeal to Buddhists, since it provides a sophisticated, readable overview of the history of ideas within Buddhism and shows clearly the significance of a ‘buddhistic’ insight to meeting 21st Century challenges.

However, the…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , WCF News

The Passing of Chan Master Sheng Yen

Chan Master Sheng Yen, June 2008, Taiwan

It is with great sadness that we tell you that our Venerable Master, Shifu, Teacher and Patron Sheng Yen passed peacefully away yesterday at 4:00pm Taiwan time at Dharma Drum Mountain's Founder's Quarters in his monastery in Taiwan.

As you probably know, Shifu's health had been declining over the past three years. This started in late 2005, when Shifu received surgery to remove a non-functioning…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , WCF News

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