Ven. Guo Yuan Led a 7-day Retreat in Mexico

From June 3^rd to June 9^th, 2024, Ven. Guo Yuan (果元法師), Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) in the U.S., and Ven. Chang Yao (常耀法師) were invited to lead the annual retreat program at Mar de Jade, a vacation center in Mexico. In addition to the locals, the program was also attended by people from California, New York, New Jersey of the U.S., making up a total of 52 participants. On the last day of the retreat, nine people took refuge in the Three Jewels and received the Five Precepts. Through persevering efforts, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Sangha members planted the seeds of Chinese Chan Buddhism in the West.

Coinciding with the 2024 Mexican general election, the program was shortened by one day less than in prior years. Despite this, Ven. Guo Yuan was still able to progressively introduce, the basics of Chan practice, the fundamentals of Buddha's teachings, and the characteristics of DDM's Chan practice to the participants. The meditation hall is located by the beach. Thanks to the combination of the Venerable's guidance with the additional effect of the sounds of ocean waves everyone slowly settled down their body and mind. When sharing their reflections in the meditation hall, the participants all happened to exchange their feelings as well as their faith in the Dharma. Out of all the activity sessions conducted during the retreat, the ones that participants resonated with the most were the Eight-form Moving Meditation and walking meditation in the early morning, as well as the coastal cleanups.

Laura Del Valle, founder of the vacation center, and her daughter, Angelica Del Valle, have supported the program for many years. They hope to bring Master Sheng Yen's Chan teachings and the lively Chinese Buddhism to the locals through Chan retreat programs. Moreover, they have mobilized resources to promote charity work in the village such as early childhood education, physical and mental health, women's rights, and environmental issues. Through organizing Chan retreats, Laura and Angelica hope to allow wholesome ideas to circulate in the Mexican communities. They believe that "one small act of kindness can save the world" and hope that such kindness will be passed on from generation to generation without ceasing.

Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico. As such, it is not easy for other religions to set root there. Nevertheless, in order for DDM's Chan teachings to benefit people, Ven. Guo Yuan has continued to lead Chan retreats year after year in Mexico. Thanks in part to Laura and her daughter's aspiration and long-lasting dedication, Dharma Drum Mountain is able to create the necessary wholesome causes and conditions to continue to propagate the Dharma in Mexico. 



Original Chinese text: Ven. Chang Yao (常耀法師)
Translation: Li Siang-ling
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL