Activities

Ongoing activities at Chan Meditation Center

Retreats at CMC and DDRC: 

Special Events

Sunday Open House:

Every Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 
Except Jan. 29 for Lunar New Year, Apr. 9 and Aug. 13 for Earthstore Bodhisattva Recitation, and May 14 for Buddha's Birthday Celebration) 
The Center set up this open house so that families, friends, and neighbors can explore and join our various programs. Everyone is welcome to participate.

• 10:00 - 11:00am   Group Meditation
• 11:00 - 12:30pm   Dharma talk**
• 12:30 - 1:00pm     Lunch Offering & Announcement
• 1:00   - 1:45pm     Vegetarian Lunch ($3 donation requested)
• 2:00   - 3:00pm     Devotional chanting of Guanyin (Bodhisattva                  Avalokitesvara) and Dharma discussion
• 3:30   - 5:00pm     Chinese Class, Cafeteria
• 4:00   - 6:00pm     Choir

**Dharma talks:  
Master Sheng Yen on "Surangama Sutra" 
**Resident monastics: 
Guo Ming Fashi: "Platform Sutra" on Sep. / Oct.
Guo Chian Fashi: "Diamond Sutra" on Nov. / Dec.

Monday Night Chanting:

Every Monday 7:30 - 9:15 pm. Free of charge.
Devotional chanting of Amitabha Buddha. 
88-Buddha Repentance on last Monday of each month.

Tuesday Evening Sitting:

Every Tuesday. 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Free of charge.
All who have previous experience in meditation are welcome. Activities include sitting meditation, walking meditation, yoga exercise, chanting of the Heart Sutra, and group discussion of Chan Master Sheng Yen's books.

Thursday Night Tai Ji Quan Classes:

Thursday from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, All levels are welcome.
$80 (16 classes in total) or
$25 per month (4 weeks as a month).
First Thursday of the month is free for newcomers.
Translated literally the Chinese word Tai means great; Ji means origin; and Quan, exercise or boxing with the hands. Tai Ji Quan is a gentle and relaxing form of exercise using the hands. It has absorbed all the best qualities of Chinese traditional therapeutic exercise. Instructor: David Ngo.

Saturday Sittings:

Every Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free of charge.
Open to all who have previous experience in meditation. Each period is half an hour with yoga or walking meditation in between the sittings. Participants can join and leave the sittings between periods and sit for as many periods as they wish.
(Closed on Jan. 14th for 1-day Recitation Retreat, Jan. 21st and 28th.)

Saturday Afternoon Yoga Classes

Saturday, Sep. 02, 09, 16, 30 / Oct. 14, 21, 28 / Nov. 04, 11 / Dec. 02.
From 3:00 to 4:30 pm
$80 for all 10 classes, $10 for each class
All levels are welcome.
Yoga is a Sanskrit term. It's definition implies its purpose: to unite the mind, body, and spirit to enhance health and to improve the overall quality of life. Yoga can increase energy and reduce stress. Instructor: Rikki Asher. 

Meditation Classes

The classes on Buddhist meditation include instruction on methods of sitting, breathing, walking, sleeping, yoga exercises, self-massage, theories and obstacles in meditation, and stages of meditation. Total 10 hours, 2 beginner and 1 intermediate sessions.

2 Saturday Classes: 9:30 am to 12 noon (Beginner); 9:30 am to 3:00 pm (Intermediate)
Beginner: Mar. 04, 11, June 3, 10, Sep. 2, 9, 30, Oct. 1 $40
Intermediate: Mar. 18, Apr. 01, June 10, Nov. 4, $40
Classes open upon sufficient interest. Please call CMC (718)-592-6593 and sign up.

Chinese Classes

Starting February 2005, the Chan Center has been offering basic Chinese classes
every Sunday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
Suggested donation is $10 per class.

Retreats at CMC

Apply directly to CMC:
Visit website: www.chancenter.org  or  www.ddmba.org or
E-Mail: ddmbaus@yahoo.com or 
Contact CMC, Queens NY at (718)-592-6593.

1-Day Chan Retreat

Saturday, Jan. 21 / Mar. 25 / Apr. 15 /  Oct. 21 
From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Please arrive before 8:40 am.
An opportunity for serious practitioners to sustain their practice and receive guidance from the resident teachers.
This retreat is open to people who have taken the Beginner's Meditation Classes or already have an established meditation practice.

1-Day Recitation Retreat

Saturday, Jan. 14 / May 6 / July 22   
From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Please arrive before 8:40 am.
Intensive practice in recitation, prostration, sitting, chanting gatha in praise of Buddha, and dedications.

Retreats at DDRC

Please call, write or download form from DDRC website for application and apply at least three months in advance. A letter of acceptance will be sent out one month prior to the retreats. http://www.dharmadrumretreat.org/ Email: ddrc@dharmadrumretreat.org Tel.: (845)-744-8114 Fax: (845)-744-8483

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College Chan Camp

This Chan Camp is for college students and young professionals who are interested in learning about Buddhism but are new to the practice.

3-Day College Chan Camp

Jan. 5 - 8 (Thur. 8:30 pm - Sun. 5:00 pm)

Aug. 7 - 10 (Mon. 7:00 pm - Thur. 4:00 pm)

3-Day College Chan Retreat

Aug. 10 - 13 (Thur. 7:00 pm - Sun. 4:00 pm)

Information and Application: www.ddyp.org or
Contact CMC, Queens NY at (718)-592-6593.
Free for students.  Please arrive at DDRC before 7:00 pm.

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Recitation Retreat

Intensive practice in recitation, prostration, sitting, chanting gatha in praise of Buddha, and dedications of merit.
Please arrive at DDRC 8:00 pm.
Please download and send 3-day Recitation Retreat application form to CMC directly.

3-Day Recitation Retreat

Mar. 23 - 26 (Thur. 8:00 pm to Sun. 5:00 pm)

Dec. 14 - 17 (Thur. 8:00 pm to Sun. 5:00 pm)

Intensive Chan Retreats

An opportunity to deepen our practice and look into the meaning of our lives. These retreats are open to practitioners who have taken a formal meditation class and participated in the 3-day retreat at least once.

3-Day Chan Retreat

Feb. 17 - 20 (Fri. 8:30 pm - Mon. 5:00 pm)
Please arrive at DDRC 7:00 pm.
Please download and send application form to CMC directly.

5-Day Western Zen Retreat

Mar. 10 - 15 (Fri. 6:00 pm - Wed. 10:00 am)
Please arrive at DDRC 6:00 pm.

A simple retreat designed for Westerners enabling the practitioner to face the major paradox - Who am I? - in creative mutual questioning set within a framework of silent Chan sitting. We utilise a tested Communication Exercise in which people work in pairs in exploring this fundamental Koan. The intensive focus drives each into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. The outcome may be a profound journey through the unity of self and the acceptance of self to "self at ease". This may possibly lead further to a direct insight into the ground of being. Participants share a rich experience in new self-knowledge, understanding others and the human condition. This western Chan method is not psychotherapy or psychology. It simply makes use of words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan. Open equally to beginners and established trainees.

The retreat will be led by two of Master Sheng Yen's European Dharma Heirs - John Crook and Simon Child, and, depending on the number of participants, with the assistance of Hilary Richards.

Please call, write or download for an application form from DDRC website and send it in advance. Acceptance letter will be sent before the retreat.

5-Day Chan Retreat

July 7 - 12 (Fri. 6:00 pm - Wed. 10:00 am)
Please arrive at DDRC 6:00 pm.
Please download and send application form to CMC directly.

7-Day Intensive Introductory Chan Retreat

Apr. 20 - 26 (Thu. 6:00 pm - Wed. 10:00 am)
Please arrive at DDRC 6:00 pm.

Click here for more details of this event.

10-Day Huatou Retreat

May 26 - June 4 (Fri. 5:00 pm - Sun. 10:00 am)

Nov. 24 - Dec. 3 (Fri. 5:00 pm - Sun. 10:00 am)

Please arrive at DDRC 5:00 pm.

10-Day Silent Illumination Retreat

June 23 - July 2 (Fri. 5:00 pm - Sun. 10:00 am)

Dec. 26 - Jan. 04, 2007 (Tue. 5:00 pm - Thur. 10:00 am)

Please arrive at DDRC 5:00 pm.

Special Events

Lunar New Year Celebration:

Sunday, Jan. 29 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

The chanting in praise of 88 Buddhas, a lecture by Master Jen Chun in the morning, followed by vegetarian feast; entertainment and performance in the afternoon. Families and friends are welcome. Admission is free.

Special Lecture by Dr. John Crook, Dharma Heir of Chan Master Sheng Yen

Life Koans and Retreat Experience

Thursday, March 9 from 7:00 to 9:00pm.

John Crook, a biologist and anthropologist, encountered Chan in Hong Kong in 1950s. When he returned to England, he found no Chan teaching available so he followed several Tibetan teachers receiving several initiations to practice and to teach. From the late seventies he began leading meditation retreats at his retreat centre in Wales. Upon reading Getting the Buddha Mind, he came to New York to practice Chan with Master Sheng Yen and in 1993 he became the first Westerner to receive transmission from Master Sheng Yen. With Master Sheng Yenís blessing, he leads Silent Illumination retreats both in the UK and across Europe. He has also created forms of retreat especially suited to the Western mentality, making use of traditional and modern huatous and koans. At present, John is the Teacher of the Western Chan Fellowship in England. He has led four Western Zen Retreats at Master Sheng Yenís request at Dharma Drum Retreat Center in recent years.

Great Compassion Dharani Repentance Service at CMC

Jan. 8 / Feb. 12 / Mar. 12 / June 11 / July 9 / Oct. 8. / Nov. 12 / Dec. 10.
Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Recitation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvaras Dharani and Vows of compassion.
We invite you to join us to bring about the joy and hope of beginning anew.

Earthstore Bodhisattva Sutra Recitation

Sunday Apr. 9, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Sunday Aug. 13, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Recitation of The Sutra of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha's Fundamental Vows.
Merits are transferred to the deceased and blessings for the living.
Please arrive at CMC before 9:15 am.
Click here for application form.

Youth Group Program: Learning the Skills of Peacemaking

Sunday, May 7, 21 and June 11, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

This is a rare opportunity for parents to offer the gift of wisdom and compassion to your children, and we hope you will support this program.

Peace is the essential ingredient for a livable future. It starts within and while we are young. This series of workshops plants the seeds of peace in young people by encouraging them to become effective communicators, to use creative skills to help others peacefully resolve conflicts at school, at home, or in the community, and to set examples of tolerance and leadership.

Click here for more details.

Learning the Skills of Conflict Resolution

Sunday, May 7, 21 and June 11, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Do you experience competition and fights in the office, conflicts in the family, problems in relationships, lack of security and love, loneliness and self-pity?

Click here for more details.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration:

Sunday, May 14, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

The day's program includes a Dharma talks by Master Guo Jun, bathing of the baby Buddha statue, chanting, vegetarian feast, and entertainment. All are welcome. Admission is free.

360-Degree Meditation Retreat and Golf Tournament

June 10 - 11 (Saturday 11:30 am to Sunday 8:00 pm)
Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Pine Bush and Town of Wallkill Golf Club in Middletown, New York.

Would you like to cultivate a healthy body, mind, and spirit?
Do you want to experience Chan through your strokes?

Application deadline is May 25th. Contact Chan Meditation Center, (718)-592-6593.
Please download and send application form to CMC directly.

Chan Golf and Hiking Meditation Retreat

September 30 - October 1 (Saturday 9:30 am to Sunday 5:30 pm)
Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Pine Bush and Town of Wallkill Golf Club in Middletown, New York.

Come to cultivate your body, mind, and spirit by experiencing Chan through your strokes!

Contact Chan Meditation Center, (718)-592-6593.
Please download and send application form to CMC directly.

Family Zen Camp at DDRC

July 20 - 23 (Thursday 8:00 pm to Sunday 2:00 pm)
Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Pine Bush, New York.
This weekend's program includes bonfire, outdoor meditation, Buddhist-related  stories, family workshop, and more.
Application deadline is July 1st. Contact Chan Meditation Center, (718)-592-6593.
Please download and send application form to CMC directly.

Children's Summer Camp in 5 States

July and August in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Michigan, and Los Angeles

For the first time Dharma Drum Mountain USA sponsors five summer camps in five US locations this year. Many excellent teachers will come here at the recommendation of DDM Taiwan Headquarter. They are working together with local experienced English-speaking teachers to run the programs and activities using the English language.

For these childrenís summer camps and family Zen camps a series of interesting and enjoyable courses are developed, based on the ideas of protecting the spiritual environment. The activities will include the topics such as the awareness and appreciation of natural environments, in search of educational potential energy, development of the personal and social skills, introduction of Dharma Drum meditation methods, making of kidís arts and craft, performance by picture books, Buddhism stories telling, and much more. Hopefully, through the interaction with other individuals in the group activities and also the basic Buddhism concepts from the game playing, the youth can develop healthy life goals and improve parent-child relationship. Counselors and helpers are available on site.

Please call the contact person for more information.

Friday night lectures by Guo Jun Fashi

"Buddhism for Beginners"
Friday, Aug. 18 / Sep. 8 / Oct. 6 & 13 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm
Please don't miss out this great opportunity! Venerable Guo Jun Fashi will give these very special courses on Friday night for beginners. The topics will be Buddhism from Life story of the Buddha, Indian Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism.

Chan Master Sheng Yen's T.V. Program

"Zen & Inner Peace"
Sunday 7:00 to 8:00 am at WNYE(C-25) TV station.
Please contact CMC for more information.

Praying Service for the Deceased

Chan Master Sheng Yen said "Praying Service for the Deceased is an adorned Buddhism Ceremony"
The purpose of forming the praying group is to care our members and their families and friends, and to advocate the Buddhist Service for the Deceased. We welcome and encourage all of our members to join this group.