Venerable Guo Yuan propagates Chinese Buddhism in Indonesia
Vice Director of the Chan Practice Center, Venerable Guo Yuan, made his inaugural twelve-day Dharma tour in Indonesia from 23 October to 3 November, 2009.
The tour included Dharma Talks and Chan Retreats at Medan, Yogyakarta and Jakarta. The inspirational methods he used to teach Chan meditation practice were warmly received, prompting local people to strengthen their faith in Chinese Buddhism.
The first stop was Medan. In a talk titled “Chan and Life”, Venerable Guo Yuan shared his ideas with students on how to live in the present moment. Next, he led a One-Day Chan Retreat at Vihara Mettayana, practising meditation with a total of sixty students.
Venerable Guo Yuan then arrived at Omah Jawi Retreat House for a Five-Day Chan Retreat from 25 to 29 October. There, Dharma talks were held every day in the morning and evening to a group of 30 students.
The Venerable also taught students how to meditate with their eyes open and led them in exercise, Walking Chan, with bare feet. On the last day of the retreat, 12 students took refuge to become followers of the Triple Jewels with warmest blessings from the Venerable.
On 31 October, the Venerable arrived at Sadhana Amitayus Retreat Center to preside at a Two-Day Chan Retreat which was attended by 75 students. In the Dharma Talk, Venerable also answered questions about Chan.
“What could we do if we run into a traffic jam, from a Chan perspective?” a student asked. The Venerable taught that since the traffic jam was inevitable, we might take advantage of this time in the vehicle to practise our breathing or listen to the Dharma, with the purpose of using every present moment to practice attaining a peaceful mind at all times.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
