Venerable Chang Chi gives a Dharma talk on happiness
On the afternoon of 19 December, 2009, Venerable Chang Chi arrived in San Francisco, United States, to give a Dharma talk on happiness and lead a one day Chan program.
The talk was specially hosted by Dharma Drum Mountain in San Francisco and as well as those who attended, other people were able to listen to this inspirational speech, titled 'Meet the Happiness', through a video-conference.
Venerable Chang Chi began by expressing his heart felt gratitude for the opportunity and his wish to share what he had learned from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen during his time of attending to the Master. The Venerable gave thanks to the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen whom gave him his Dharma life, by compassionately showing him personally the path of Dharma practice.
"What is waiting as one's life makes a turn? What sort of mindset should one take to face that?" These were the type of questions that Venerable Chang Chi gave participants to reflect upon.
The Venerable also said that during the time of attending to his mother at the hospital he had been taught that one must hold honesty and gratitude in his heart towards others. In this period, the hidden Buddhist seeds in his heart ripened as he witnessed death, ageing, sickness and birth.
On 20 December 2009, Venerable Chang Chi led a one-day Chan (Zen) program, including sitting meditation, walking Chan and Eight Form Moving Meditation. It concluded joyfully with question & answer and sharing sessions, leading participants to experience the beauty of Chan and inner peace.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
