From June 19 to 21, at the invitation of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Abbott President Ven. Guo Huei attended the inaugural International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore. The conference tackled the idea of “Many Communities, One Shared Future”, and nearly 1,000 government representatives, scholars and leaders of various ethnic groups from 40 countries and 250 organizations gathered to seek for dialogues to foster greater harmony in societies in this current world filled with racial, religious and cultural conflicts. On the afternoon of June 20, during the first session “What We Believe (Faith)”, the Abbott President spoke on the topic of “Religious Belief and World Peace” from the perspective of Chinese Chan Buddhism.

After 15 years of long-term preparation and construction, Zarko Andričević , one of the Western Dharma Heirs of late Master Sheng Yen finally established and held the completion ceremony of Chan Retreat Center Hartovski VRH in Croatia on May 18.

DDM former Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong (果東法師) was invited to host the ceremony of “Introducing the Light” and congratulate the new center on behalf DDM Sangha. Venerable Chang Wu (常悟法師), Managing Director of DDM Branch Monastery Administration in Europe and America, together with more than ten DDM followers made a special long-trip to participate in the ceremony.

Among all, more than 120 participants from Taiwan, Hong Kong, America, Canada, Swiss, as well as local practitioners gathered together in Croatia. Marcel Geisser Roshi, the adviser from well-known Chan practices group “Haus Tao” in Swiss also partook in at Zarko’s invitation.

On May 12, 2019, the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration was held at Tam Chuc, Vietnam by the Executive Council of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, NVBS, in corporation with the International Council of the United Nations Day of Vesak, ICDV, as well as the Government of Vietnam.

In early May, Ven. Guo Dong (果東法師), former Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain, made a trip to North America on behalf of the current Abbot President, Ven. Guo Hui (果暉法師), to propagate Dharma teachings.

In the afternoon of May 4th, at the invitation of Chinese Buddhist Culture Association, Ven. Guo Dong delivered a speech titled “Good wishes for the world – mutual benefits for a life of wisdom,” at Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel.

Nearly two hundred participants were present, including Wang Lihua (王隸華), wife of Wang Dingjun (王鼎鈞), a well-known writer now residing in America, and Yang Chaohua (楊朝華), holder of Sheng Yen Professorship of Chinese Buddhism at Columbia University.

At the invitation of Laura Del Valle, Head of Mar de Jade in Mexico, Venerable GuoYuan (果元法師), Dharma Drum Mountain Vice Abbot also Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center, went to Mexico to lead a one-day Beginners’ Meditation Class and a following 7-day Silent Illumination retreat from May 10 to 18; participants of both events reached 34.

Venerable Guo Yi (果毅法師), Managing Director of DDM Public Buddhist Education Center and Director of DDM Nung Chan Monastery, led a seven-day Silent Illumination Retreat at DDM Vancouver Center from April 5 to 12. After the retreat was concluded, a lecture entitled “Development and Evolution of Chan Buddhism” was held on April 13 and 14, engaging nearly 120 participants with a vast amount of historical materials and literature, to explore the history of Chan School of Buddhism by identifying the crucial and turning points over its 1800 years of development.

On May 19, 2019, Chan Meditation Center (CMC) in Queens, New York held a Buddha’s Birthday Celebration.

Ten Aspiring Years of the DDM Buddhist Center Malaysia

“The immaterial universe may come to the end, whereas my vows will never be exhausted,” this quote from Master Sheng-Yen indeed symbolizes the spirit of his compassionate vows. In 2009, Master Sheng Yen passed away; however, his ideals and concepts took root and developed in Malaysia, whereas the DDM Buddhist Center Malaysia was formally established in the same year.

In celebration of the 2019 Lunar New Year, Year of the Pig, Chan Meditation Center held the Medicine Buddha chanting service from February 5 through 9 and a celebration on February 10. Over 400 people participated in these activities.

From the 3rd to the 14th of December 2018, the 24th Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) was held in Katowice, Poland, with representatives from almost 200 countries, aspiring to reach a consensus on the implementation of the “Paris Agreement”. Ven. Chang Ji of the DDMBA (Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association) took part in the entire conference, sharing her concerns about the future of mankind along with youths from all over the world who have also participated in a series of regional youth conferences organized by the DDM in the past.