Venerable Guo Xing’s Dharma Teaching Tour in Europe Successfully Concluded

▲ Venerable Guo Xing (果幸法師) led a seven-day Chan retreat at the Oxford Buddha Vihara in the UK, attended by 23 practitioners from across Europe. After the retreat concluded successfully, many expressed the wish to continue deepening their study of Chinese Chan Buddhism. (Photo courtesy of the London Chan Meditation)

After successfully completing the Buddhist lecture in Germany and giving meditation instructions in Nantes, France, Venerable Guo Xing continued his journey to the United Kingdom on August 21. Starting August 23, she led a seven-day Chan retreat at the Oxford Buddha Vihara, located near Wales. Following the retreat's conclusion, on September 6 Venerable Guo Xing visited the London Chan Meditation to bless a newly established practice venue and led 2 one-day Chan retreats. On September 8, she traveled to Bern, Switzerland, to meet with local practitioners and give teachings during a group meditation session. Afterwards, she returned to Taiwan on September 13.

The UK seven-day retreat brought together 23 participants from various parts of Europe, including professors and 4 students from the University of Bristol, as well as Buddhist chaplains. Ven. Chang Jyu (常俱法師) from the Dharma Drum Mountain Sangha, served as timekeeper, while Mr. Li Xin (李鑫), convener of the London Chan Meditation, was the chief supporter. Ms. Jiang Xin (蔣馨) served as deputy chief supporter, leading the faculty and students of the University of Bristol in registration and preparation of breakfast.

During the retreat, Venerable Guo Xing began by teaching fundamental concepts and methods of Chan meditation. She observed that while participants were enthusiastic, they tended to be overly eager. Therefore, she reminded everyone not to rush into silent illumination or hua-tou practice, but to start with relaxation and breath counting, progressing step by step. Since participants possessed varying levels of experience, Venerable Guo Xing held daily interviews to understand their physical and mental states and offer individualized guidance. Professor Robin Klimecki from the University of Bristol shared that both he and his students had greatly benefited from the retreat.
 
"The Dharma practice is a personal revolution, and the only revolution worth undertaking. Only through this inner revolution can one truly attain liberation." A French participant expressed gratitude in a letter after the retreat. He wrote that, under Venerable Guo Xing's guidance, he had come to realize that "practice is life, and life itself is practice." Though daily life remains full of challenges, he would continue to apply the methods learned and hoped to one day visit Dharma Drum Mountain in person. Another participant shared that under the Sangha's guidance, it felt as if Master Sheng Yen were still present with everyone. He brought home several of Master Sheng Yen's books, eager to further study Chinese Chan Buddhism.

This European Dharma teaching tour spanned Germany, Ireland, France, the UK, and Switzerland, encompassing intensive retreats, family camps, and public lectures. Following in Master Sheng Yen's footsteps, Venerable Guo Xing continued to plant the seeds of the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism throughout Europe, thereby allowing more people to experience the true benefits of the Buddha's teachings. Over the course of more than two months, this journey connected practitioners and good affinities across regions, opening new opportunities for deeper exchanges and future Dharma propagation.

▲ Venerable Guo Xing leading a one-day Chan retreat at the newly established practice venue in London. (Photo courtesy of the London Chan Meditation)


Original text in Chinese: Dharma Drum Monthly No. 430
Photos: London Chan Meditation
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown