Dharma Library

A large collection of articles, from past issues of New Chan Forum and more besides.

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What Is Chan?

Chan master Shengyen

In 1977 Shifu was at the very beginning of his teaching career in America. He was invited to give talks in various places and these were admirably translated. In this talk the crisp vision of Chan that Shifu was bringing from China and from the Japan of his final training is clear for all to see. As we set about creating a Chan suitable for Europe this lecture has a striking and helpful cogency.…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 1977 , Sheng Yen , For Newcomers

Winter Buddha

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

After midnight, when the still streets
drip from the trees audibly soft leaves
and I smile to hear sleepy voices
silenced by a closing window's sound,
I take a match to an incense stick
and set bright the dark candle in my private shrine.

With six slow breaths the pillared flame
sets this brooding throne aglow
where, pivoted upon some silent thought,
the golden face spans inwardly
the space between the…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 1969 , John Crook , Poetry , For Newcomers

Maenllwyd

John Crook sitting in front of the altar at Maenllwyd

Arriving in the yard
I switch off the engine
and gaze at the view,
evening sun on the rolling hills
yellow fields, dark woods.
In the sudden silence
a buzzard mews,
distantly guiding sheep
dogs bark.

Entering the gate
I come home to my hermitage,
welcoming trees brood
and the old door creaks on rusty hinges
falling plaster needs sweeping from the floor,
softly on cold flags moisture gleams.

Lighting the fire
I…

Western Chan Fellowship CIO

Categories: 1975 , John Crook , Poetry , For Newcomers

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