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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

Radio Broadcast on Silence

Calligraphy for the character Chan

John Crook interviewed on the topic of 'Silence' by the Archbishop of Canterbury, broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 22nd February at 9.40pm.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2009 , WCF News

Shattering the Great Doubt

Cover of the book 'Shattering the Great Doubt'

The Chan Practice of Huatou

Another new book from Chan Master Sheng Yen, Shattering the Great Doubt: the Chan Practice of Huatou.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2008 , WCF News

Footprints in the Snow

Cover of the book 'Footprints in the Snow'

A new book by Chan Master Sheng Yen: 'Footprints in the Snow - The Autobiography of a Chinese Buddhist Monk'. The autobiography of Chan Master Sheng Yen.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2008 , WCF News

The Method of No-Method

Cover of the book 'The Method of No-Method'

A new book by Chan Master Sheng Yen: 'The Method of No-Method - The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination'.

A comprehensive discussion and instruction on the practice of the method of Silent Illumination.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2008 , WCF News

Visiting Chan Master Sheng Yen in Taiwan

John Crook and Simon Child talking with Chan Master Sheng Yen at Dharma Drum Mountain in Taiwan

A party of WCF group leaders visited many sites in Eastern China, and ended up visiting Chan Master Sheng Yen in Taiwan at the end of the trip.

The Dharma Drum website carries a report of the meeting with Master Sheng Yen when several of the party took a precepts and refuge ceremony with Master Sheng Yen.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2008 , WCF News

Orthodox Chinese Buddhism

Book cover of "Orthodox Chinese Buddhism"

A new book by Chan Master Sheng Yen is now available, 'Orthodox Chinese Buddhism'.

This is the first translation of a book written in Chinese in 1965 and gives the orthodox presentation of Chan views for a Chinese audience.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2008 , WCF News

Attaining the Way

Cover of the book 'Attaining the Way'

A new book by Master Sheng Yen is now available, 'Attaining the Way'.

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 2007 , WCF News

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