Across Traditions and Cultures: A Special Lecture on Contemporary Practice of Chinese Buddhism

On February 28 (U.S. Eastern Time), Venerable Chang Hwa (常華法師), Director of Chan Meditation Center in New York, was invited by Brown University's Department of East Asian Studies, the Contemplative Studies Initiative (CSI), and the Department of Religious Studies to deliver a lecture titled "Living and Practicing Chinese Buddhism in Contemporary North America." The lecture explored how Chinese Buddhism adapts to modern society and how practitioners cultivate spiritual practice in contemporary contexts. The event was originally planned as an in-person workshop and meditation experience at Brown University. However, due to a snowstorm, it was moved online. Despite the change, about 70 students, faculty members, and members of the public interested in the development of Chinese Buddhism attended the virtual session, thereby demonstrating strong engagement.

Venerable Chang Hwa noted that while the number of Buddhists in Asia has declined in recent years, the Buddhist population in North America has grown by approximately 27%, with increasing numbers of people incorporating meditation into their daily lives. Addressing the development of the monastic community (Sangha), Venerable Chang Hwa explained that global monastic numbers are decreasing amid declining birth rates. However, bhikkhunīs (fully ordained nuns) in Taiwanese Chinese Buddhism have achieved notable success in terms of population, educational opportunities, and social status. This well-established lineage has supported the rise of female religious leadership in North America. Many American female monastics—such as Tibetan Buddhist nun Ven. Thubten Chodron—have received full ordination through Chinese Buddhist ordination systems, thus allowing monastic precepts to serve as a unifying bond across global Buddhist traditions.

Regarding meditation practice, Venerable Chang Hwa compared two major meditation approaches. The first is Contemplating the True Appearance — commonly found in Theravāda and Tibetan Buddhism---which emphasizes observation of breathing (the Sixteen Steps of Ānāpānasati /Mindfulness of Breathing) to realize impermanence and non-self. The second is Contemplating the True Nature — represented by Chinese Chan school (such as Silent Illumination and huatou practice)-- which directly points to the mind's original nature without attachment to phenomena. Venerable Chang Hwa emphasized that meditation practice should be grounded in the doctrinal framework of the Tiantai school; otherwise, practitioners may mistakenly interpret physical or psychological experiences as enlightenment. During the event, Venerable Chang Hwa guided participants through a Silent Illumination meditation session, leading them from bodily relaxation toward open and pure awareness of their surroundings.

The lecture also explored the cultivation of wisdom (prajñā), particularly at the intersection of Buddhism with Western science and psychology. Venerable Chang Hwa referenced content regarding consciousness and biocentrism from scientists, such as Robert Lanza and Edgar Mitchell (1930–2016), the latter of whom once had a conversation with Dharma Drum Mountain founder Master Sheng Yen, which was later published as the book Buddha's Mind, the Universe, and Awakening《佛心、宇宙與覺醒》). Venerable Chang Hwa also highlighted Buddhism's contributions to end-of-life care, noting that understanding death can help people live more meaningful lives.

During the Q&A session, Venerable Chang Hwa addressed whether artificial intelligence could replace monastics. She explained that although AI is a powerful tool for acquiring knowledge, the aggregation of data may lead to "Group Stupidity." Genuine spiritual experience and the verification of awakening, she emphasized, still require guidance from experienced teachers capable of facilitating inner transformation. Venerable Chang Hwa concluded by advising that within North America's diverse Buddhist environment, practitioners should first establish firm roots in one tradition before engaging in broader learning, thereby developing correct understanding.

After the lecture, a Brown University undergraduate student shared that he greatly appreciated the talk. He gained insight into Buddhism's threefold training of morality, concentration, and wisdom, and broadened his understanding of Buddhist traditions through the historical context of Chinese Buddhism presented by Venerable Chang Hwa. He was particularly impressed by the Tiantai school's integration of Theravāda and Mahāyāna thought, as well as its core teaching of the perfect interfusion of the Three Truths. He added that the explanation of cultivating wisdom through right view, thereby attaining inner balance and stability, and the resonance between Buddhism, psychology, and science was deeply inspiring.

Another doctoral student noted that he had originally looked forward to attending the in-person meditation session scheduled for the afternoon. Although the snowstorm forced the cancellation of the physical workshop, he was delighted that Venerable Chang Hwa still guided participants in Silent Illumination meditation during the online session, which he found highly beneficial and rewarding.



Original text in Chinese and photos: Venerable Chang Zhong (釋常鐘)  
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown