DDM Abbot President Encouraged Followers at Chan Meditation Center to Commit in the Vow to Propagate Buddhadharma

On Sunday, August 3 at 10:00 a.m., Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師) arrived at the Chan Meditation Center in New York as part of his Dharma propagation tour in North America, to participate in the Center's annual general assembly for members. A total of 108 Dharma upholders from New York and neighboring vicinities gathered together at the Chan Meditation Center to witness the fruits of spiritual practice and the progress made in Dharma propagation over the past year.

The Abbot President presented an encouraging Dharma talk to fellow disciples: "Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education took 16 years to complete construction, and today the expansion of the Chan Meditation Center (CMC) is going through a similar process. Ahead of us are not difficulties, but a test of our vows and a toughening of our patience." He emphasized that upon its completion in the future, the new CMC is expected to become a larger scale Buddhism practice center in New York City. The planned colony of buildings will hold a total capacity of more than six times the current Center offers, sufficient to organize large scale international Chan practice events and Buddhist curricular activities.

The Abbot President shared, in retrospect, that the early days of DDM founder Master Sheng Yen's Dharma propagation in America were filled with difficulties and hardship. In the beginning, he had neither a roof over his head or a bed to sleep on at night, spending his days walking the streets. Yet now, his vision of spreading the Buddhadharma across the world has been realized — all propelled by the power of a vow and sustained by the strength of perseverance. He explained: "Master Sheng Yen once said that Dharma propagation should not be limited to the Chinese community. More than ever, it should be extended to the West. Regardless of language or background, anyone who is willing to learn Chan is someone we should share the Buddhadharma with."

The Abbot President served as Chairperson in this members' general assembly, with accompanying secretary Ven. Yan Hai (演海法師) and Ven. Kuan Rong (寬融法師) in attendance, while CMC Director Ven. Chang Hwa (常華法師) and Ven. Guo Sheng (果乘法師) presented representative reports. The CMC's Board of Directors together with its members attended this distinguished event, in a spirit of unity in the protection of the Dharma lineage.

Ven. Chang Hwa presented a detailed report on the Center's operations over the past year to the attendees. Even within a limited space, CMC has continued to expand its diverse Dharma outreach programs, which include weekend group practices, Chan experience camps, sutra study classes, and various activities organized by the Dharma Drum for Young People, thereby welcoming people of all ethnic backgrounds to familiarize themselves with the Three Jewels. In addition to regularly organizing Dharma assemblies, CMC also maintains positive relationships with other religious groups in New York City, thereby remaining committed to interfaith dialogue and community care.

During the assembly, the construction schedule for the new CMC was presented, with grand opening of the new Center estimated for May 2027. With more spacious room for Chan practice as well as improved group practice equipment and teaching facilities, it is expected to take on more Dharma propagation activities and long-term teaching functions, while also measuring up as an important Dharma pilgrimage center for all followers from around the world.

At the successful completion of the general assembly, Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei personally issued certificates of membership to four new members, and presented gifts of gratitude to the honorary board members for upholding the Dharma throughout the years, sincerely thanking everyone for continuously supporting and accompanying the Center over the past years.

The Abbot President went on to remind all that after completion of the hard constructions, even more Sangha members and teachers will be needed to shoulder the workload of Dharma propagation. He hopes that everyone may make the great vow to propagate the Dharma together, and proposed "four kinds of dedicated aspirations", namely time and physical energy in participation of voluntary work and daily chores at the Center; monetary funds in support of the Center's construction and operations; mental energy in self-practice to become a practitioner of Buddhadharma; and finally, our entire life to a vow to become a monastic and transmit the true Dharma.

The general assembly made special arrangements for the CMC choir to perform a Buddhist song recomposed from the "Chapter on Samantabhadra's Practices and Vows", singing praises to the bodhisattvas for the spirit in their practices and vows, reminding everyone to always make vows and practice keeping them. Following that, they presented the song "Bon Voyage", a special Buddhist song with its melody excerpted from Master Hong Yi's classic works, and lyrics written personally by the Abbot President. This song conveyed encouragement and blessing to all Buddhist disciples in their practices, thereby deeply touching the hearts of the entire assembly.






◎Original text in Chinese: 演證
◎Photos: 吳幸宜, Yin Ting
◎Translation: 張振郁 (Cheng-Yu Chang)
◎Editing: Keith Brown, YKL