Dharma Drum Mountain Toronto Centre Holds Volunteers Appreciation and Thanksgiving Gathering

On October 10, 2026, Dharma Drum Mountain Toronto Centre held its “Volunteers Appreciation and Thanksgiving Gathering”, bringing together approximately 60 participants for a warm and joyful day of fellowship. The event was guided by Venerable Chang Xing (常惺法師), Secretary General of the Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, and Venerable Chang Yuan (常源法師), Director of the Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC). Held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the gathering featured two talks. In the morning, Venerable Chang Xing shared his experiences in disaster relief, outlining five key principles of compassionate service and explaining how Buddhist practice can be integrated into disaster relief efforts. In the afternoon, Venerable Chang Yuan presented “More Volunteering, More Good Luck: Chan Practice and Happiness for Volunteers,” inviting participants to reconsider the meaning of good luck. This talk explored five practical steps inspired by Chan koans to shift from seeking happiness externally to cultivating inner peace and freedom.

The gathering opened with expressions of gratitude to the Triple Gem, the monastics, and all the volunteers whose dedication and contributions supported DDM Toronto throughout the year. Venerable Chang Xing began by recounting his first experience participating in disaster relief in Taiwan, where he met Master Sheng Yen. He reflected on how this encounter shaped his subsequent monastic life and commitment to service. He explained that the Buddhist spirit of disaster relief calls us to respond when sentient beings are suffering. Helping others overcome hardship also provides an opportunity to cultivate compassion, develop wisdom, and accumulate merit. Venerable Chang Xing emphasized that disaster relief should extend beyond distributing food, providing temporary shelter, or donating supplies. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the real needs of disaster survivors, including meeting basic necessities, providing psychological and spiritual support, helping children continue their education without interruption, supporting communities in restoring their lives and rebuilding their capacities, and offering assistance that respects local cultures, beliefs, and practical circumstances.


To illustrate these principles, Venerable Chang Xing shared three disaster relief cases: the floods and landslides in northern Thailand in 2024, the earthquake in Myanmar in 2025, and the floods in Nepal in 2026. These experiences demonstrated that disaster relief is not simply about repairing buildings; it is also about helping children regain opportunities to learn and grow. Compassionate service requires not only goodwill, but also sound judgment, sustained effort, and a sensitive understanding of the circumstances of those most in need. Disaster relief, he explained, can serve as a concrete expression of Buddhist practice, transforming compassion from an aspiration into action that genuinely benefits sentient beings. Drawing on his practical experience, Venerable Chang Xing outlined five key principles for volunteers to apply in their service: respecting those receiving assistance; prioritizing education and long-term development; collaborating with local communities; practicing patience and letting go of attachments; and maintaining equanimity while also caring for fellow volunteers. He further noted that even those without professional training in social work or psychology can develop the capacity to respond to suffering and serve others through Buddhist practice.

In the afternoon session, Venerable Chang Yuan delivered the talk “More Volunteering, More Good Luck: Chan Practice and Happiness for Volunteers.” Through Chan koans and everyday examples, he invited participants to reconsider the true meaning of good luck and happiness. In addition, he explored how meditation can be integrated into volunteer service to cultivate inner stability, freedom, and joy through giving.

Venerable Chang Yuan observed that people commonly associate good fortune with favorable external circumstances, such as unexpected financial gains, receiving help from others during difficult times, or enjoying a healthy and smooth life. However, external conditions are constantly changing and are not entirely within our control. True good fortune, he explained, comes from cultivating happiness and stability from within, thereby allowing us to remain at ease and grounded regardless of the circumstances we encounter.

Drawing inspiration from five Chan stories, Venerable Chang Yuan guided participants through practical ways to shift their focus from external pursuits to inner cultivation. The first principle was “Do Not Seek Outside.” Through the story of a fly bumping into a window, he reminded participants not to pursue happiness exclusively through external conditions. If volunteering is motivated primarily by the desire for praise, the absence of expected recognition can easily lead to disappointment or discouragement. The second principle was “Happiness Is Right in the Moment.” Drawing on a Chan encounter involving “Master Dongshan Seeing His reflection”, Venerable Chang Yuan encouraged participants to recognize that practice does not require waiting for a special moment. Ordinary tasks, such as arranging chairs, washing vegetables, or tidying up a venue, can all become opportunities for self-awareness and mindful engagement with the present. The third principle was “Letting Go of Self.” Using the analogy of two empty boats colliding, he explained that when we become overly attached to our own positions, pride, or need for respect, even minor disagreements within a team can trigger strong emotional reactions. In volunteer work, by being less critical and more understanding, and by taking a moment to observe our own emotions when conflicts arise rather than rushing to argue or blame others, we create an opportunity to let go of our attachments and work with others with a more open and expansive mind. The fourth principle was “Concentrate on the Task.” Citing the Chan teachings “When hungry, eat; when tired, sleep” and “A day without work is a day without food,” Venerable Chang Yuan explained that Buddhist practice is inseparable from everyday life. By fully engaging in the task before us, we can bring mindfulness into even the simplest activities. The fifth principle was “Dharma Joy from Being Fully Engaged.” Venerable Chang Yuan reminded participants that constantly worrying about how others perceive us, or repeatedly telling ourselves that we cannot succeed, can limit our growth. Genuine confidence does not come from continually proving ourselves, but, rather, from gradually letting go of self-centered limitations, maintaining an open mind, and having the courage to learn.

Following the talk, participants formed small groups of 3 to 4 to exchange reflections on which of the five Chan stories most closely resonated with their current experiences in volunteer service. Through these discussions, they examined whether they had become overly dependent on others' approval, attached to their own ego, or had yet to learn how to appreciate the work they were doing in the present moment.

As the event drew to a close, Venerable Chang Yuan quoted the renowned saying of Chan Master Yunmen: “Every day is a good day.” He encouraged participants to understand that good fortune does not mean that every day will be free of difficulties. Rather, it means being able to remain grounded in the present and maintain inner peace and freedom throughout the changing circumstances.

The afternoon program concluded with one minute of sitting meditation and a dedication of merit. Together, the participants expressed their aspirations for world peace and prayed that all sentient beings would be free from suffering and attain happiness.




◎ Original text in English and photos: Dharma Drum Mountain Toronto Centre
◎ Editing: Keith Brown