Entering Art Through Chan, Sensing the Mind Through Tea — English One-Day Retreat at Fo Guang Shan North Carolina
- FGS NC media 北卡佛光山文宣組
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
[Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of North Carolina held its monthly English One-Day Retreat on October 25, 2025, with twelve participants attending the one-day program. The participants, from diverse backgrounds, gathered at the temple with the shared aspiration to deepen their understanding of Chan practice and cultivate inner peace.
At the opening session, Venerable Miao Jou, the temple’s superintendent, encouraged everyone to approach the path of cultivation by letting go of judgement and attachment. She reminded participants to absorb each part of the program like a sponge, to remain mindful of their thoughts, and to develop clarity and ease within the mind.
Venerable Zhi San led the participants through sessions of sitting meditation and walking meditation, guiding them to return to the present moment through the alternation of stillness and movement, and to experience the steadiness of a focused mind.
In the Chan Doodling session, participants expressed mindfulness through ink and line, concentrating on the flow of each stroke. One participant shared that the process brought deep relaxation and a sense of simple joy, reminiscent of freely drawing as a child, allowing her to rediscover calm and contentment.
During the Buddhism class, Venerable Zhi San introduced the fundamental teaching of emptiness (śūnyatā), inviting participants to reflect on the question “What is emptiness?” She cited Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s article in the book of Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series to clarify common misunderstandings and to explain that emptiness is not nothingness, but the potential for infinite possibilities and growth. Participants later engaged in group discussions, sharing their own insights and how understanding emptiness can transform one’s perception of life and the world.
The Tea Meditation session encouraged participants to observe the subtle changes of the five senses while brewing and tasting tea, fostering mindfulness through sensory awareness. Venerable Zhi San reminded the group to extend the same awareness and serenity cultivated in tea meditation into daily activities—whether walking, sitting, or resting—to remain present and grounded in every moment. During the sharing session, participants asked questions about continuing meditation practice, the meaning of monastic life, and how to apply the practice of letting go in daily living.
A visually impaired participant shared that her favorite part was the walking meditation, which allowed her to focus on the rhythm of each step. Though sitting meditation was more challenging, she found that the practice helped her observe her body and mind with greater awareness and experience peace in the present moment.
