One-Day Chan Retreat

Led by Ven. Guo Yuan

Date: Saturday 02/28/2026

Time: 9 am – 5 pm

Location: 255 H Street, Fremont CA 94536

Suggested Donation: $50

Registration Deadline: Sunday, 2/22 (11:59 pm)

Regular and consistent Chan practice is a crucial element in improving your meditation skills and maturity. During a one-day retreat, which is conducted in silence, you have the opportunity to escape daily stress, refresh your mental and physical state, and nurture your meditation practice. Through Chan meditation, you will learn to cultivate a clear awareness of both your body and mind. This practice will help you gain insight into your habitual tendencies that often lead to suffering, and you’ll explore ways to release these habits in order to attain inner peace.
 
The day will consist of periods of sitting meditation interspersed with eight-form moving meditation, mindful yoga, and walking meditation. There will also be Dharma talks, with reviews of meditation methods or guided meditations as needed.
 
Venerable Guo Yuan (Abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center) will lead the One-Day Chan Retreat.
 
 
Requirements to be accepted:
  • Previous instruction in basic meditation. For example, have participated in a Beginner’s Guide to Meditation or attended at least 4 group meditation practices under Dharma Drum tradition.
  • A commitment to all-day practice.
 
About Venerable Guo Yuan:
 
In 1985, Guo Yuan Fashi, encountered Master Sheng Yen’s teachings while attending a seven-day retreat in New York. He became a disciple before finally leaving his job in Toronto, Canada, to become a monk in the Chan tradition. He was ordained in 1987 in Taiwan. Then, for over twenty years, he accompanied and worked as translator to Master Sheng Yen in various Chan meditation retreats around the world. In 1991, he studied Theravada Buddhism for a year in Thailand. Upon his return, Guo Yuan Fashi was elected abbot of both the Chan Meditation Center (CMC) in Queens and the Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) in Pine Bush, New York. His responsibilities include attending interfaith services, teaching meditation, and giving lectures on Buddhism. In 2006, he became the director of the International Chan Retreat Center in Dharma Drum Mountain, Taiwan. In 2016, he returned to Pine Bush to become once again the abbot of DDRC. Fluent in Mandarin, Vietnamese, and English, he leads Chan retreat in many countries around the world.
 
 
Schedule (subject to variation)
8:40 am -9:00 am: Check-in
9:00 am -12:00 pm: Moving Meditation, Introduction, Sitting Meditation, Mindful Yoga and Dharma Talk
12:00 pm -1:00 pm: Lunch and Work Practice
1:00 pm -4:30 pm: Dharma Talk, Sitting and Walking Meditation, Mindful Yoga
4:30 pm -5:00 pm: Sharing and Q&A
  
Remarks 
  • No late check-ins.
  • Retreatants are expected to complete the entire retreat, except for unforeseen circumstances such as health or family emergency issues. 
  • During the retreat, we observe noble silence.  Smoking, drinking alcohol, reading, making notes, using cell phones and electronic recordings are prohibited.  
  • To conserve and reduce waste, please bring your own water bottle or tumbler.  
  • A confirmation email will be sent upon acceptance. 

 

Registration

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Date

Feb 28 2026 (Sat)

Time

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Languages

Conducted in English

Location

Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Center
Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Center
255 H St, Fremont, CA 94536

Category

Speaker

  • Ven. Guo Yuan
    Ven. Guo Yuan
    Ven. Guo Yuan
    Ven. Guo Yuan

    In 1985, Guo Yuan Fashi, encountered Master Sheng Yen’s teachings while attending a seven-day retreat in New York. He became a disciple before finally leaving his job in Toronto, Canada, to become a monk in the Chan tradition. He was ordained in 1987 in Taiwan. Then, for over twenty years, he accompanied and worked as translator to Master Sheng Yen in various Chan meditation retreats around the world. In 1991, he studied Theravada Buddhism for a year in Thailand. Upon his return, Guo Yuan Fashi was elected abbot of both the Chan Meditation Center (CMC) in Queens and the Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) in Pine Bush, New York. His responsibilities include attending interfaith services, teaching meditation, and giving lectures on Buddhism. In 2006, he became the director of the International Chan Retreat Center in Dharma Drum Mountain, Taiwan. In 2016, he returned to Pine Bush to become once again the abbot of DDRC. Fluent in Mandarin, Vietnamese, and English, he leads Chan retreat in many countries around the world.

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