DDM Sangha Visited Sravasti Abbey in the US to Exchange Experiences of Dharma Practice

In May 1998, Master Sheng Yen and the 14^th Dalai Lama held a dialogue on Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, which not only attracted global attention, but also opened the door for the two traditions to exchange views. Twenty-six years later, the second generation of disciples of the two traditions continued this exchange of views. From May 5^th to May 12^th, 2024, ten bhikkhunis of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) visited Sravasti Abbey founded by Venerable Thubten Chodron in the United States to exchange experiences of Dharma practice. Under the theme of "How to Practice and Propagate Buddhadharma as a Sangha Member in Modern Society?", both parties shared their views on three topics:

1) The interpretation and practice of bodhicitta and Bodhisattvas' way of life, 
2) The meditation methods and its actual practice, and 
3) The life of the contemporary Sangha and the spirit of the precepts. 

The rich and diverse exchanges not only deepened mutual understanding, but also greatly strengthened the bodhicitta of the participating Sangha members, thereby motivating them uphold the teachings in their respective traditions through practicing diligently and delivering all sentient beings.

Led by Venerable Guo Yi (果毅法師), Managing Director of DDM's Public Buddhist Education Center; Venerable Chang Wu (常悟法師), Managing Director of Monasteries in Europe and America; and Venerable Chang Zao (常藻法師), Director of DDM Buddhist Centre Malaysia, DDM delegation of ten Sangha members participated in the intensive seminar starting from May 6^th, with two discussion sessions each day. In the first topic on bodhicitta, DDM delegation shared the practice of Bodhisattva Path in the Mahayana scriptures of the Chinese tradition, and cited the Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva and the Motto of Dharma Drum Sangha University written by Master Sheng Yen to elucidate the Master's teachings for both monastics and laity. Meanwhile, Sravasti Abbey of Tibetan tradition introduces how the practices of Seven-point Cause and Effect Training and the Tonglen (Tibetan for taking and giving) meditation can spark practitioners' bodhicitta.

On the topic of meditation, Sravasti Abbey of Tibetan tradition introduces the meditative practice of stillness (samatha), insight (vipassana), and tantric visualization practice. On the other hand, DDM delegation of Chinese tradition, first outlined the origins of Chinese Chan Buddhism and the features of Master Sheng Yen's Chan teachings, and then introduced Chan practices including Silent Illumination, Huatou, and the Buddha's name recitation. In addition, the DDM delegation gave guidance in the methods to practice by leading the group practice of the Eight-form Moving Meditation as well as the Buddha name recitation. Among these Chan practices, Huatou and the Buddha name recitation aroused the most enthusiastic responses. Meanwhile, everyone was particularly impressed by the notion of "Build a pure land on earth" proposed by Master Sheng Yen. Through in-depth dialogues and interactions, not only did the participants correct misconceptions about each other's traditions, but they also gained a further understanding about the richness of Buddhadharma, which keeps developing along with its spread and adaptation to different cultures and regions, in order to accommodate varying karmic capacities of sentient beings. 

Three talks were held under the topic of "Contemporary Practice of Precepts." One of the sessions featured the challenges of living by the monastic precepts in the Western world, shared by bhikkhunis of Sravasti Abbey who recently received the precepts. The delegation of DDM Sangha shared in another session. This session explored 1) upholding monastic precepts, 2) how to maintain the purity and harmony of the Sangha by observing the monastic regulations of co-living and 3) following the Guidelines on the Prevention of Degradation and Corruption of the Sangha (防墮落防腐化原則) as established by Master Sheng Yen. In the other session, bhikkhus of Sravasti Abbey recounted, under the guidance of a bhikkhuni master, their reflections on gender issues as well as how to respect and learn from each other. Since the discussion coincided with the first day of a lunar month, the Eastern and Western monastics had an extraordinary opportunity to observe Uposatha, repent, and recite the precepts together.

During the eight-day seminar, whether it was Q&A sessions in the main hall or talks on the Dharma over the meals, the Sangha members from different countries sat together in a circle to share and give feedback with sincerity and selflessness. Despite their differences in tradition, seniority, language, and culture, the Sangha members are united by the Buddha's teachings and the common goal of life. Through this gathering, the participants not only strengthened their determination to attain enlightenment, but also enriched one another's lives.

As one of the first Sangha communities in the U.S. founded by Westerners, Sravasti Abbey has been established for 21 years. Ven. Guo Yi said that she felt the pioneering, tolerant, and persevering spirit of the Western monastic community through this visit. She also felt how precious it is to receive Buddhism of Chinese tradition and Master Sheng Yen's Chan teachings. On the last day of the seminar, the members took a group photo under a blossoming apple tree, symbolizing the fruitfulness of the gathering. The subsequent seeds of Dharma will be sown around the world along with each other's propagation of Buddhadharma. Together, these will bring tranquility and Dharma joy to the world.



Photo / Sravasti Abbey
Original Chinese text / Venerable Yan Wen (演穩法師)
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL