Silent Illumination Retreat Led by Ven. Guo Yuan to Be Held in June in Mexico

Date: June 14 - June 21, 2025
Location: Mar de Jade
Address: Cam. Mar de Jade 1, 63708 Chacala, Nay., Mexico (Google Map)


"I've never experienced anything like this retreat. The teachings on Silent Illumination have refreshed my energy, despite my age of 73. I see this practice as the purest and simplest form of Buddhist teachings. The practice of Silent Illumination is invaluable because you can bring it into your daily life," said a participant of the meditation retreat at Mar de Jade. 

This Silent Illumination Retreat is an opportunity to practice traditional Chan Meditation from the lineage of Master Sheng Yen (1928-2009), founder of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM), with Ven. Guo Yuan (果元法師, Guo Yuan Fa Shi) and the monastic members of DDM in Taiwan.

This retreat will be conducted in silence, and Dharma talks will be delivered in English with Spanish interpretation. Participants will have the chance to learn simple methods that help us abandon our habits of anxiety, stress, and worry, in order to find the peace and clarity we need.

The retreat is suitable for all levels, but it's important to know that it requires determination and commitment to overcome obstacles of the mind and body (physical discomfort, drowsiness, distraction, anxiety, etc.). It's also necessary to follow the rules of silence, punctuality, and consistency throughout the retreat. 


Schedule
The Silent Illumination retreat includes:
Retreat Rates: To be confirmed. For the latest information, please visit Mar de Jade's website.

What's Included:
Not Included:

Payment & Cancellation Policy
To participate in the retreat, please fill out this Registration Form.

*The event may be subject to change. Please visit Mar de Jade's website for the latest information. If you have any further question, please email Mar de Jade at info@mardejade.com, send Mar de Jade a massege via Whatsapp or call 1-800-257-0532 (US number) / +52 (327) 219-4000 (MX number).


About the Teacher
Ven. Guo Yuan (果元法師, Guo Yuan Fa Shi) 

Ven. Guo Yuan is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk trained in Chan Buddhism. He is a senior disciple of the Chan Master Sheng Yen of Taiwan. In 1985, he first encountered Master Sheng Yen's teachings while attending a seven-day retreat in New York City. He then decided to become a disciple before leaving his job in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to become a monk in the Chan tradition. He was ordained in 1987 in Taiwan. He is the Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) in New York.

He studied Theravada Buddhism for a year in Thailand in 1991. Upon returning from Thailand, he was elected abbot of DDM's Chan Meditation Center in Queens and the DDRC in Pine Bush, New York. His responsibilities included attending interfaith services, teaching meditation, and lecturing on Buddhism. For over 20 years, he also accompanied and translated Master Sheng Yen at various Chan meditation retreats in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, and Mexico. He is fluent in Mandarin, Vietnamese, and English.