Monday, June 30, 2008

49 day Ch'an retreat July 13th August 30th 2008

Thousands of years ago, the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
He realized that all sentient beings possess inherent Buddha nature with the potential
to achieve ultimate freedom, eternal peace and perfect enlightenment

Ch'an, widely known as Zen in the West, is directly seeing one's true mind, which is the mind of the Buddha.
The object of ch'an training is to realize the mind for the perception of (self-)nature.

At Sunshine Zen Centre, one learns Buddha's teachings, Introduction to Chan Meditation and advanced meditation methods to experience Cha'n. All classes are free of charge and open to public.

Regular Meditation Schedule open to all public
Thursday 7- 9 pm and Sunday's from 9 -12 am





A 49 day Summer Retreat will start on July 13th 2008, under the instruction of Master Chieh Harne aka Master Henry
pre-registration is highly suggested, if you wish to visit for a short time drop ins will be welcome
please phone in advance

The Monastery is located is located near Pender Harbour off Highway 101 on the Sunshine Coast of BC.
The Sunshine Coast is accessible from the rest of the Lower Mainland only by boat or airplane. Travellers aboard BC Ferries leave Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver for the 45-minute ride to Langdale on the Sechelt Peninsula. Highway 101 links Langdale with Pender Harbour, approximately 31 miles (50 km) to the northwest.



We are supported by your generous donations.
For registration/inquiries
please contact

Sunshine Zen Centre
11148
Sunshine Coast Highway 101
Canada V0N 1Y2
Tel/Fax:604 883 1167
sunshinezentemple@gmail.com

Come and experience Cha'n with us!
Picture Master Henry at the
Chan Hall on the opening day ceremony for the first 49 day Ch'an Retreat at the Sunshine Ch'an Temple July 13th 2008 Photo Credit Jorge

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Ch'an

THUS I HAVE HEARD
An Ancient Master once said...

Self-Cultivation has no other method;
It requires but knowledge of the Way.
If the Way can only be known
Birth and death at once will end

Ch'an began with the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni, when in his "now" famous “Flower Sermon.” One day the Buddha took his seat before his assembled monks and, instead of speaking, remained silent while holding a single flower aloft in his hand. Of those assembled, only one disciple Mahakashyapa (Sanskrit: “Great Kashyapa”), understood the meaning of the Buddha’s actions. The Buddha publicly recognized Mahakashyapa’s realization and he, in turn, passed the wordless teaching along to his disciples. Eventually the transmission passed to Bodhidharma Bodhidharma transmitted his Mind-Seal of Dharma to China: " When Master is pointing out the Mind directly, you discover your own Original Nature is no different from Buddha's" The Teaching given by Bodhidharma to his Dharma Heir, the Second Patriarch Hui Ko (487-593), also known as Sheng Kwang is" "Drop all discursive thoughts and all attachments. Rest your mind. Like a wall, don't be influenced by internal and external factors; only then, can you enter the Buddhist Path." According to earlier translators "Ch'an derives its name from the Chinese term channa, an attempted transliteration of the Sanskrit term dhyana (meditation, concentration)"
Master Henry & the Author of the Blog Jorge Sunshine Ch'an Temple September 2005