Center of Harmony Chan Buddhist Meditation Program

Chan is the Chinese pronunciation of the Sanskrit word Dhyana (Jhana in the Pali dialect), which is most commonly known as Zen (a Japanese word). All of these terms refer to meditation, and particularly to meditative absorption achieved through correct sitting practice.

Numerous books try to explicate the meaning of Chan. Chan is direct experience, not a hypothetical or academic persuit. Words can (and often do) inspire us to delve deeper, but they can also lead us astray. That is why, in Chan Buddhist tradition, we place a priority on meditation practice, rather than mere academic study. Through insight garnered from sitting under the Bodhi Tree some 2500+ years ago, the Buddha uncovered the Dharma and taught it to the world.

Meditation practice at the Center of Harmony is a spiritual discipline, centred upon ones own mindfulness and insight development in the context of a supportive community (the Sangha).

Students in our meditation program are guided to develop a daily sitting practice, with instruction on posture and method, and are aided by the experience of senior members and teachers.

Lineage

Our Buddhist lineage is inherited through one of the greatest Chan Masters of modern times, Venerable Grandmaster Xu Yun (1840-1959) - "Empty Cloud", and his Dharma heir Ven. Master Zhi Ding (1917-2003). In 1949, Xu Yun instructed Zhi Din to depart China, establish a temple in Hawaii, and spread the Buddha Dharma to the West. After nearly 50 years in the United States, he felt as though he had failed in his mission. While the temple in Hawaii was a great achievement, Zhi Ding remained disapointed that he could not extend the Dharma beyond Hawaii's ethnic Chinese community and into the West.

In 1997, Zhi Ding decided to establish the half-monastic, half-layperson Chan Buddhist Order of Xu Yun. In May of the following year, Ven. Zhi Ding elevated his disciple, Ven. Chuan Zhi Shakya, to abbot of this Order. In 1999, after 2 years of Buddhist studies, Mr. DeVaull received the Five Precepts and took refuge in the Three Treasures at the age of 18 under Rev. Shi Chuan Xue (of Yunmen Monastery, China). He received the Dharma name Fa Neng, which means capable of fulfilling the Buddhadharma. Upon ordination in 2009, he received the tonsure name Fa Heng Shakya, which translates to Permanent/Persisting Dharma.

Temple

In 2007, the Center of Harmony was established in Rochester, NY, to propagate traditional medicine, martial arts, and meditation practices. In the spring of 2008, the Sangha was established and began its weekly Sunday meditation sessions which have continued ever since. Comprised entirely of laypeople, our temple aims to extend the Buddhadharma beyond the limits of Chinese ethnic culture and language, as per the mandate of Ven. Xu Yun to plant the seeds of Buddhism in the West.

Central to the temple is the 500 square foot Dharma Hall, which we call the Do Jang (Kr. "Place of the Way").

Etiquette

Traditional Buddhist etiquette is maintained to prevent the degredation of our meditation practice over the coming generations. When greeting teachers and fellow students, members politely bow with palms together as a universal gesture of mutual respect. Similarly, upon entering and leaving the Dharma Hall one bows the same way.

Those who have taken refuge (in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), upon entering the Dharma Hall, perform three prostrations (big bows) on their meditation cushions towards the image of the Buddha as a gesture of thanks for having taught the Dharma over 25 centuries ago.

Those who have received Dharma Teacher Ordination, Assistant Dharma Teacher Ordination, Dharma Protector Ordination, and the Five Precepts sit closest to the alter, in order of seniority, on both sides of the room (facing inwards). On occasions when many people are gathered, four rows of cushions are formed with two rows facing each wall.

Sessions

At the beginning of a meditation session, the abbot will recite a short teaching story, hua-tou, or gong-an. Then, everyone will stand up and perform one standing bow to the image of the Buddha, turn, and perform another standing bow to the place where they will sit in meditation facing the wall (a gesture of regard). Upon hearing the bell, everyone does a seated bow with palms together - followed by the mudra of meditation (hand resting upon the other at the level of the abdomen).

Sitting sessions are usually conducted in cycles of 20 minutes, but are as long as 40 minutes on retreats. Walking meditation is conducted between 5 and 10 minutes between sitting cycles to promote blood flow and minimize discomfort. As in sitting meditation, the hands are kept in the meditation mudra while walking mindfully. The end of a session echoes the beginning with a seated bow, followed by a standing bow facing the wall, and a standing bow facing the Buddha.

Circle Talk

After sessions, we break for tea and group discussion for ten minutes. At this time, students ruminate on the teaching story, hua-tou, or gong-an. Occasionally we engage in a playful style of debate called "Dharma Combat".