On 28 October, Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain Venerable Guo Dong was invited to the DDM Tallahassee Chan Center in Florida by Associate Professor Yu Yong-Fong from the Department of Religion at Florida State University, where he led the refuge-taking ceremony. Approximately 100 attendees were present to listen to the teachings of the Abbot President and about 40 of them took refuge to be disciples of the Three Jewels. Participants were almost all Americans, a testament to the universal nature of this splendid ceremony.

“…we are good neighbours in the global village. Indeed, we are all sons and daughters born of the same Mother Universe”.(Ven. Master Sheng Yen - Peace Summit, UN 2000)

Let’s promote Chan practice and uplift the character of humanity¬! Following the spirit of the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, the DDM Chan Meditation Center in Sunnyvale, San Francisco held a Chan Practice for a thousand participants on October 20, 2013. Previously, this event was held in Taiwan in both 2012 and 2013 with over ten thousand participants. The event, “Chan 2013 Live!” was held in San Francisco and welcomed people of all different races and religious faiths from all over the country to gather together and experience Dharma Drum’s Eight-Form Moving Meditation in a large group setting. The event encouraged relaxation of the body and mind, promoted peace of mind and showed participants how to merge Chan with their daily lives, in the hope of bringing peace and stability to the surrounding environment.

Before ending their reconstruction assistance after the Haiti earthquake, from October 16th to 19th, DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation (DDMSWCF) visited numerous principal rescue units such as local juvenile vocational schools, street schools and children hospitals. Forthright and sincere youth and children showed their passion with tooth exposed smiles to joyfully greet the volunteers from Taiwan who have been precious friends for them in this period.

On 8 September 2013, Abbot President of DDM Venerable Guo Dong attended the seminar titled, “Practice of Protecting the Spiritual Environment in Daily Life”. He shared with over 200 attendees, how to bring Buddha Dharma into our daily life and set our mind free. A number of volunteers of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation also attended the seminar. They have placed great effort to collaboratively spread the Buddha Dharma in Australia, where is well-known for multiculturalism.

September 2013 marked a significant milestone for DDM Sydney with the grand opening of the practice centre in Hornsby. DDM Sydney and guests welcomed Abbot President Guo Dong Fashi, Guo Chi Fashi, Guo Jian Fashi, Chang Gui Fashi, Chang Zhen Fashi and Mr. Jimmy Chou to the newly renovated Hornsby centre on the morning of Sunday 15 September, this was followed by a public talk by Abbot President at The University of Sydney in the afternoon titled “Portable Happiness”.

DDMBA Ontario is pleased to announce that Dr. Jimmy Yu (Guo Gu) will be coming to Toronto to lead a 3 Day “Gateway to Chan” retreat, from Thursday November 28 to Saturday, November 30.

On 24th May 2013, Dharma Drum Mountain in Malaysia (DDM Malaysia) held a Dharma Assembly in celebration of Vesak Day, which was attended by more than two hundred people.

The Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, visited Malaysia from 11 to 17 July,2013 to offer care and blessings. The purpose of the visit was to advocate protecting the spiritual environment, simplifying funerals and proclaiming the vision of Master Sheng Yen and Dharma Drum Mountain.

Dharma Drum Mountain Vancouver Center held Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance Dharma Service for repaying kindness on the Summer Lantern Festival starting from the afternoon on August 29th to September 1st, 2013. Venerable Guo Xing, Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center and Chan Meditation Center in New York, presided the ceremony with four monastics’ assistance.