Annual Membership Meeting at Chan Meditation Center - Abbot President Encourages Members to Emulate the Spirit of Master Xu Yun

On the morning of July 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM), attended the Annual Membership Meeting held at Chan Meditation Center in New York. He met with more than 70 board members, members, and volunteers, who gathered joyfully to reflect on the past year's achievements in practice and Dharma propagation.

Venerable Chang Hwa (常華法師), Director of Chan Meditation Center and Guiding Dharma Teacher of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, opened the meeting with a report on the Center's activities over the past year, as well as updates on the center expansion project and its financial status. She also shared with the Abbot President that participation in meditation activities at Chan Meditation Center has continued to grow in recent years. Although most programs are currently conducted in English, the completion of the new center will make it possible to offer meditation training in both English and Chinese, thereby allowing the Center to better serve practitioners from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

The progress of the expansion project was then presented by Kenny Tan, the project manager. He reported that construction is proceeding smoothly. Concrete has been poured for the first through third floors, and approvals have been obtained for the electrical and plumbing systems. Construction continued even during the weekend of the membership meeting, with the rooftop concrete pour scheduled for July 27. If progress continues as planned, the project is expected to receive its occupancy permit by the end of June 2027. The new Chan Meditation Center will provide a more spacious environment and support a wider range of educational and practice programs.

After listening to the construction update, the Abbot President indicated that Chan Meditation Center was the first place where Master Sheng Yen, the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, served after earning his doctoral degree in Japan. In those early days, even the furniture had to be collected from discarded items. Out of gratitude for the Master's kindness and guidance, everyone is encouraged to emulate the spirit of the great Chan master, Master Xuyun: "Carry out the Buddha's work tirelessly, like flowers in empty space; establish places of practice everywhere, like the moon reflected upon water." Inspired by this spirit of selfless dedication, the community is encouraged not only to invite more people to uphold the Dharma, inspire more people to cultivate the Way, and support the center financially, but also to foster monastic vocations so that more Dharma teachers can undertake the mission of spreading the Buddhadharma and helping people from around the world engage in Buddhist practice.

The Abbot President likened the current construction project to that of a mother hen incubating her eggs. "It feels as though the eggshell has already begun to crack, and the chicks are about to emerge," he said. The monastics, Buddhist practitioners, and construction team in New York, he added, are like players who compete in the FIFA World Cup, while he and supporters in Taiwan and around the world are cheering them on from afar through a live broadcast with the same joy and anticipation. His warm and humorous analogy brought smiles and laughter throughout the audience.

The Abbot President also reminded everyone of Master Sheng Yen's teaching to "allow afflictions to dissolve into our inherent pure nature". Regardless of the size of the Dharma center or when the new building is completed, what matters most is to continue one's practice diligently. Before the meeting began, the monastics led everyone in ten seconds of silent reflection to dedicate blessings to deceased members in gratitude for their years of support and service. The Abbot President also personally presented membership certificates to three new members and offered appreciation gifts to the leaders of various groups and long-time volunteer representatives in recognition of their many years of dedicated service and support to the Center.

The meeting concluded with a delicious vegetarian lunch lovingly prepared by the kitchen volunteer team. During the meal, participants shared reflections on their practice and the inspiration they had received throughout the year. Filled with gratitude, joy, and mutual encouragement, the gathering came to a warm and fulfilling close.
 

◎ Original text in Chinese: Chan Meditation Center
◎ Photos: Chan Meditation Center, Yin Ting
◎ Translation: Patricia Yang 
◎ Editing: Keith Brown