Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary with Pilgrimage Worship and Lecture

Following the establishment of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association Vancouver (DDMBA Vancouver) in 1994, years of dedicated effort by volunteers and supporters culminated in the completion of Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre (DDVC) in 2006. This year marks the Centre's 20th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, a Gratitude Pilgrimage Worship was held at 9:30 a.m. on July 19. Led by the resident monastics, 130 participants performed a three-steps-one-bow pilgrimage around the Centre. The event was followed by a lecture by Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain, on the theme "Blessings and Joy with Every Step, Abundance Every Day," attended by more than 160 participants seeking guidance on cultivating peace and stability of mind.

Prior to the pilgrimage, Venerable Chang Wu (常悟法師), Director of DDVC, led participants in the Eight-Form Moving Meditation and explained the significance of the pilgrimage worship. She shared that pilgrimage is an expression of gratitude to the Buddha and to the great patriarchs who journeyed to the birthplace of Buddhism in search of the Dharma. Throughout history, Buddhist masters have used pilgrimage worship as a way to express reverence and devotion. Through the practice of three steps followed by one prostration—placing the forehead and knees on the ground—practitioners learn to humble their pride, let go of self-centeredness, and cultivate humility, gentleness, and respect. At the same time, pilgrimage serves as a practice of repentance, helping to purify both body and mind.

Venerable Chang Wu further explained that pilgrimage is also a form of moving meditation. While mindfully reciting and listening to the sacred name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, practitioners remain fully aware of each step and every bodily sensation. By unifying body and mind and calming wandering thoughts, they cultivate concentration. The pilgrimage practice also helps practitioners develop patience, perseverance, and resilience. Whether facing cold or hot weather, physical discomfort, uneven ground, or dust, participants continue with unwavering determination. This steadfast spirit inspires the aspiration for enlightenment, the vow to benefit all sentient beings, and ultimately the vow to attain Buddhahood. Finally, Venerable Chang Wu encouraged everyone to practice with a heart of gratitude—expressing thanks to their parents, the Three Jewels, their country, and all the supportive conditions that have enabled them to encounter the Buddhadharma in this lifetime. She encouraged participants to renew their vows each day to walk the Bodhisattva Path, uphold and propagate the true Dharma, and work together to build a Pure Land on Earth.

Among the participants was longtime practitioner Mei-Ying Wu (吳美瑩), who has followed the teachings of Master Sheng Yen and supported Dharma Drum Mountain for more than thirty years. Although now advanced in age, each prostration during the pilgrimage reflected her unwavering faith and dedication to Buddhist practice.
Arnie and Sebastian, father and son, who had taken refuge just one day earlier, shared that while they had previously read about pilgrimage in Master Sheng Yen's books, this was their first time experiencing it in person. Although physically tired, they found themselves free from irritation and instead felt an unexpected sense of inner calm. Six-year-old Lucas also joined the pilgrimage alongside his mother, Ashley. His steps, palms joined in reverence, and prostrations were all carried out with sincerity and care. His small stature and youthful face brought a touch of innocence to the pilgrimage procession.

After dedicating the merits of the pilgrimage for the well-being of all, the assembly respectfully welcomed Venerable Guo Huei to the Dharma seat to deliver a lecture. Opening his talk with lively references to the FIFA World Cup, he noted that even athletic competitions require a peaceful and stable mind. Only with inner calm can athletes maintain the true spirit of sportsmanship—promoting health, friendship, and mutual respect amid intense competition.

Venerable Guo Huei reminded the audience that peace begins within. When the mind has a wholesome refuge, one naturally experiences contentment without comparing oneself to others—or even to oneself. By letting go of attachment and self-centeredness, people are more able to realize their full potential. Whether encountering favorable or adverse circumstances, those who cherish their blessings and practice gratitude can transform every situation into an opportunity for growth. He encouraged everyone to continually cultivate blessings and aspire to become a benefactor in the lives of others, describing this as the essence of the Bodhisattva Path.

The Abbot President also shared insights from Dharma Drum Mountain's initiative, "A Spiritual Lifestyle for the Net-Zero Era." He explained that genuine environmental sustainability begins with inner purification. Only by purifying the mind can humanity truly achieve environmental net-zero and realize the Buddhist ideal that "when the mind is pure, the land is pure." Building a Pure Land on Earth requires each individual to transform themselves from within, thereby transforming society and the environment. He further encouraged everyone to maintain inner stability amid the busyness of modern life by practicing "six words to Calming Oneself and Harmonizing with Others"—lightness, relaxation, slowness, carefulness, smallness, and cooperation. He emphasized that modern people especially need to cultivate "slowness" to ease anxiety and reduce interpersonal tension.


Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre shared that, through the Abbot President’s Dharma teaching, they learned that becoming a bodhisattva is not difficult, because benefiting others is itself the practice of a bodhisattva. The Vancouver Centre encourages and supports all practitioners to walk the path of cultivation with steady and sincere steps in the future. Wherever we are, may each day be filled with abundance, and may we bring peace, joy, and light to humanity, working together to build a Pure Land on earth.





◎ Original text in Chinese and photos: Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre
◎ Translation: Patricia Yang 
◎ Editing: Keith Brown