Western Dharma Heir Zarko Andričević :
Chan Retreat Center Hartovski VRH marked its completion in Croatia

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.

During the ceremony, the Buddha Mantle was unveiled altogether by the former Abbot President, Zarko Andričević, Karmen Mihalinec, the co-founder with Zarko, as well as Saša Reljić Christakis, who firstly introduced late Master Sheng Yen to Zarko.

Speaking in blessing, the former Abbot President gave his deep gratitude to Zarko for fulfilling his aspiration of great compassion, established a Chan Center of Chan Buddhism in Europe on a best effort basis with the public. Venerable Guo Dong also wished for the Chan Retreat Center Hartovski VRH to become a center that could settle people’s minds and propagate Dharma teachings.

Chan Retreat Center Hartovski VRH marked its completion in Croatia; DDM former Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong went to host the blessing ceremonies of “Introducing the Light”.

In the name of the Chan Retreat Center, Hartovski suggested “Hilltop”, “Map”, “Paper” and “Open a new page” drawn from the ancient Greek etymology. From Karmen Mihalinec’s perspective, the practitioners do need a roadmap toward the correct path in Buddhist practices. It is like the significant transformation of human civilization since paper innovation from ancient China, so is significant for Chan Retreat Center in Hartovski; as the connection with late Master Sheng Yen signified their Chinese Chan Buddhism lineage, a new page of life, and a new page of history is therefore sustained.

In 1997, the late Master Sheng Yen led Chan practice in Croatia; Zarko, together with the practice group, then built Dharmaloka Chan Buddhist community in Zagreb the following year. Later in 2003, the Buddhist community found the current location in Žumberak, about one and a half hour’s drive from downtown. The official contract was formed in 2005, yet the constructions in progress started as late as four years ago due to the long and tedious administration and communications with local officials.

The first stage of construction has been completed, including the offices, the Chan hall, the dining hall, as well as two dormitories, which were designed as highly efficient, unadorned, and pragmatic style. The second stage would be to keep on building the retreat cells, and the single quarters.

Chan Retreat Center Hartovski have run various activities in Chan practices, including 7-day relaxing Chan retreat for beginners, 1-day to 7-day intensive Chan retreats, Chan Yoga, meditation on loving-kindness, and conference on Chan meditation, as well as the 2-year talent training programs for teaching meditation.

According to Zarko, Chan Retreat Center Hartovski was set up to propagate Chinese Chan Buddhism, so the public could ascertain that Buddha-nature is inherited in everyone’s mind whereas vexations could be renounced followed by the attainment of wisdom which is radiant and true. The primary objective in the future would be focused on inner growth and spiritual purification for the followers.

Texts: Venerable Chang Wu (常悟法師), and Venerable Yan Chan (演禪法師)
Photos: Chan Retreat Center Hartovski VRH in Croatia & Dharma Drum Monthly
Traslation: Elenda Huang
Editing: DDM Australian Editorial Team