Dharma Drum Mountain Malaysia for the fifth time participated in the 8th World Chinese Books Fair 2006 (WCB 2006) from 17 to 26 November 2006.

Highlights of Melbourne DDM Interfaith Activities

Following the interfaith dialogue chaired by Sheng Yen Shifu in 2004 whilst Shifu was here in Melbourne to deliver a keynote speech to the Psychologist Society of Australia. Since then, DDM Melbourne has been actively participating and promoting the concepts of peaceful coexistence and harmony amongst the various religious faiths in Australia.

Sydney DDM held its first 7-Day Chan Retreat at Grose Vale from 29 November to 6 December 2006 under the superb guidance of Guo Yuan Fashi and Chang Wen Fashi.

The President of DDM Melbourne Branch Mrs Laura Chan had been invited by the Interfaith Centre of Melbourne to attend the second Annual Interfaith Prayer Ceremony for the work of the United Nations on 24 October.

The Melbourne Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Melbourne Branch was invited by Stockland Shopping Centre to join them for the oriental promotion programme at the centre in October 2006.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Dharma Drum Mountain in Seattle, Venerable Guo Shu, Prior of DDM in Vancouver, led a series of activities from 4 to 5 November 2006, inviting people to cleanse their hearts and purify their minds.

Melbourne Five Days Retreat was held in Dharma Drum Mountain Meditation Hall in Templestowe from 8 to 13 December 2006. This retreat was led by experienced Chan Masters, Guo Yuan and Chang Wen Fashis. There were only 20 lucky people attending this Retreat due to space limitation.

Many visiting Fashi's were duly impressed by the DDM facility in Melbourne. It has a huge backyard with far reaching view of the surrounding area. The building has an entrance hall, which serves as the meeting room and library. There are dormitory beds for participants in lived-in retreats. Melbourne members are blessed to enjoy such facility in their pursue of the DDM visions and personal realisation.

---Over one hundred and thirty people received the bodhisattva precepts to purify themselves with Venerable Master Sheng Yen.