Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre Marks Its 20th Anniversary as People of Diverse Backgrounds Take Refuge in the Three Jewels Together

The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the inauguration of Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre (DDVC). To commemorate this milestone, Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM), was invited to officiate the Three Refuges and Five Precepts Ceremony for Buddhist practitioners. Held at 10:00 a.m. on July 18, the “Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony” welcomed 45 participants from Canada, the United States, and diverse ethnic backgrounds. Amid the solemn atmosphere of the Buddha Hall and the pure chanting of Buddhist liturgy, they vowed to uphold the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, becoming disciples of the Three Jewels and embarking on the Buddhist path of returning to their true nature while cultivating peace and stability in body and mind.

In his Dharma talk, Venerable Guo Huei emphasized that Buddhism is not a refuge for escaping reality, but rather a source of wisdom for transforming life. In the face of natural disasters, human conflicts, and inner anxiety, the only way to remain steady amid constant change is to follow the teaching of DDM founder Master Sheng Yen: "When the mind is at peace, there is peace." By practicing Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Dharma methods, one can tame fear and afflictions, transform mental afflictions into compassionate vows, and ultimately benefit both oneself and others.

The Abbot President further explained that taking refuge means returning to one's inherent pure Buddha-nature and nurturing one's wisdom-life, thereby finding genuine spiritual reliance. In today's world, even those who possess advanced education, successful careers, and material wealth may still suffer from anxiety and distress if they neglect to care for their minds. True happiness does not depend on external possessions, but on discovering the way to settle the mind.


Before the refuge ceremony began, Venerable Guo Huei used the analogy of drinking water from a clean cup to illustrate the importance of repentance. He further explained that only by cleansing the accumulated habitual tendencies and defilements of the mind can one truly receive the nectar of the Dharma. After sincerely receiving the Three Refuges and Five Precepts and completing the ceremony, all refuge-takers recited the Four Great Vows in unison, committing themselves to embodying the bodhisattva spirit of benefiting both oneself and others.

Those who came to DDVC to take refuge ranged in age from 6 to 87 years old. Among them were six grandchildren representing the third generation of the Su family, who gathered from both Seattle and Vancouver; two married couples who took refuge together; and a family of four, with parents bringing their children to the centre to pay homage to the Buddha and become part of the sangha community.

In addition to local residents, many participants drove across the border from various parts of the United States. Particularly noteworthy was a Western father and son. The 73-year-old father made a special journey by ferry from Victoria early that morning to attend the refuge taking ceremony. The sincerity of all the participants vividly demonstrated how Chinese Chan Buddhism transcends culture, language, and ethnicity. Over the past two decades, DDVC has planted seeds that have flourished, bringing together monastics and lay followers alike in their shared aspiration to study, support, and propagate the Buddhadharma in Vancouver.

Many participants expressed their gratitude to Venerable Guo Huei for presenting them with a Peace Whistle as a commemorative gift. Designed to serve both as an emergency signaling device and a tool for helping others, the whistle reminds people to cherish life through compassion and wisdom. Participants also deeply appreciated the Abbot President's encouragement to engage in volunteer service after taking refuge, putting compassion and wisdom into daily practice and embodying the altruistic spirit that "service is cultivation."

DDVC remarked that taking refuge is not merely the beginning of Buddhist practice, but the start of a new direction in life. The Centre extended its blessings to all the refuge takers, wishing that, under the guidance of the compassionate vows of Bodhisattva Guanyin, they may illuminate the lamp of wisdom within their hearts. It also encouraged everyone to nourish their minds daily with the Buddhadharma, practice Spiritual Environmentalism in every step of life, and embody Master Sheng Yen's teaching that "When the mind is at peace, there is peace." The DDVC hopes that this inner peace spread from individuals to every corner of society, bringing peace to the world and well-being to all.


Original text in Chinese: 施琇錦
Photos: Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown