Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA) - Chicago Chapter

04/05/2023

In meditation, silently and serenely, all words are transcended.
In Illumination, all things appear as is.
Silence is the ceasing of ego-grasping. Illumination is the functioning of the wonder of wisdom.
The unity of these two is awakening to Buddha Nature.
- Master Sheng Yen

04/04/2023

Love is caring. Love is respecting. Love is tolerating. Love is learning from each other and becoming a better person.
-Master Sheng Yen

04/03/2023

Buddhism flows out from the sea of wisdom and compassion that was engendered by Śākyamuni, the enlightened Buddha. Its teachings are full of wisdom, kindness, radiance, comfort, freshness, and coolness. Buddhism as a religion is alive in the communities that have been established based on the Buddha's teachings.

04/01/2023

The paunchy, smiling figure of Maitreya with his "all-embracing bag" reminds us to emulate the bodhisattva spirit: being big-hearted and compassionate, one c...

03/31/2023

If we don't choose our words carefully, small slips can turn people into enemies, or hurt our friends, relatives, or those close to us. Seek forgiveness and show repentance for the wrong we have done. But if it is not enough then let time ease the grudge while we try to mend our ways. Instead, we should use admiring, encouraging, comforting, sympathetic, and praising language, and then we will be able to reform ourselves and take on a new attitude and state of mind, and therefore will get along well with everyone.
-Master Sheng Yen

03/30/2023

The Chan school often says that everyday activity—eating, cleaning, defecating, carrying water, chopping wood—is itself Chan. This point is quite profound and not something easily understood by persons who are new to the practice. If supplemented with a regular routine of seated and walking meditation, in time the ability to find meditative power in these activities will deepen. Thus, it should be understood that everyday activity itself becomes increasingly subtle as the practice matures. Like riding a bicycle, one gets only a rough idea from hearing instructions. However, as a rule of thumb, attend to the activity at hand with your entire body and mind. Do not think of the past; do not think of the future. Just do what is called for, using slow and precise movements.

— from "Hoofprint of the Ox"

03/29/2023

We often suffer from fear and anxiety due to lack of confidence. If we can strive to understand ourselves and our surroundings, and be prepared in advance, there is no need to fear. Fear won't help at all.
-Master Sheng Yen

03/28/2023

Aging is not a problem as long as the elderly know how to take care of themselves, keep going with their willpower and aspirations, and continue to be of use by contributing their experience and wisdom while learning to let go.
-Master Sheng Yen

03/27/2023

Meditation helps improve our work efficiency and emotions. Meditation requires relaxation in the body and mind, and guidance from an experienced teacher. One mustn't expect instant results in practicing meditation.
-Master Sheng Yen

03/25/2023

If we don't choose our words carefully, small slips can turn people into enemies, or hurt our friends, relatives, or those close to us. Seek forgiveness and ...

03/24/2023

Dear Online Chan Workshop Participants:
Please join us this Sunday, March 26th, as we continue discussing Master Sheng Yen's book:

Chan and Enlightenment

The book is available as an affordable ebook on Amazon and I have ordered a number of copies to have at the Center but not sure when they will be available

For the Amazon version follow this link.https://www.amazon.com/Chan-Enlightenment-Master-Sheng-Yen-ebook/dp/B01N9MN3W7 .



We will be meeting in-person at our center, 241 Holbrook Drive in Wheeling, or if you like you can join us on zoom.

Our Zoom id is 882 7185 6065. To join via your web browser: Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88271856065 and click join. Alternatively, you can download/install the Zoom application on your computer, see the instructions below.

The schedule for the morning will be:
8:30 a.m. : 8-Form Chan Movement (a video will lead participants through the movements)
9:00 a.m. : Sitting Meditation
9:45 a.m. : End Sitting Meditation
9:55 a.m. : Morning Service (will show morning service text on shared screen)
10:10 a.m.: Dharma Study
11:30 a.m. : Transfer of Merit

To see upcoming Dharma Study topics, please refer to our Dharma Curriculum Summary on our Google Drive.
In the Dharma,

Iris Wang
Resident Teacher
with joined palms

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03/24/2023

In Buddhism, ""emptiness"" means that all phenomena, either material or psychological, are not eternal and unchanging. Therefore we should remain undisturbed by them in our minds and don't fall victim to all kinds of negative, contaminated mental reactions.
-Master Sheng Yen