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Retreats
Our Style of Retreats
Retreat Types
Beginner's Retreats
Beginner's Mind Retreat
Western Zen Retreat
Weekend Retreats
One-Day
Overnight
Three-Day
Intermediate Level Retreats
Introduction to Chan Retreat
Intensive Retreats
Silent Illumination Chan Retreat
Huatou Chan Retreat
Koan Retreat
Applying for Retreats
Retreat Etiquette
Our Style of Retreats
Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) offers retreats in the style of the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism, as designed by Chan Master Sheng Yen (Shifu). These retreats are based on the spirit of traditional Chan retreats of China, yet have evolved into a program with a variety of activities to suit the needs of modern western people.
 Shifu circa 1976 In addition to a unique program is Shifu's way of teaching Chan methods, which includes explaining the practice as consisting of a clear set of stages. Although not fixed, these stages are used to explain the process of practice that one may experience as one gradually enters deeper into the application of the method. Virtually non-existent in traditional Chan literature and teachings, these clear and systematic instructions are given to help participants know how to apply the method in response to their current condition. In addition, explanations are given about how to have the proper attitudes toward practice on retreat and in daily life, as a sequence of supplemental methods.
Our retreats come in a variety of formats, of which the Silent Illumination and Huatou intensive retreats are the signature programs of the Dharma Drum Lineage style. They are led by Shifu himself, his Dharma heirs, or experienced monastic and lay instructors, whom have all received Shifu's approval to teach. Please see below for individual retreat details.
Retreat Types
We provide a variety of retreats to suit the various needs of participants:
Beginner's Retreats
Weekend Retreats
Intermediate Retreats
 Intensive Retreats
Participants should apply to those retreats which suit their current level of experience. However, note that experienced practitioners are welcome to attend any level of retreat, as each retreat is a new beginning and an opportunity to learn. Retreat applications are reviewed by DDRC staff and teachers to ensure applicants are
suitable for the designated retreat.
Beginner's retreats are designed for people who have:
- little or no experience of sitting meditation
- some experience of sitting meditation, but little or no experience of working with a qualified teacher, or sitting in a group
These retreats are also suitable for people who have:
- received basic instruction in sitting meditation
- established a routine personal practice
Beginner's Mind Retreat
(Length: 2-5 days)
A "Beginner's mind" is a fresh and open attitude towards life in the present moment, free from preconceived notions and expectations. It is a mind open to genuine understanding and self-realization. If you are new to meditation practice, or have never participated in a retreat, this retreat is an ideal way to begin your spiritual journey.
In addition to sessions of seated meditation, the retreat includes workshops in: The Art of Sitting, The Art of Walking, The Art of Questioning, The Art of Self-Massage, The Art of Perception, and The Art of Listening. These optional workshops and a flexible daily schedule allow you to determine the intensity of your own retreat experience.
Western Zen Retreat
(Length: 5 days)
Developed by the Western Chan Fellowship (Europe), this retreat designed for Western educated individuals enables the practitioner to face the major paradox - Who am I? This huatou is investigated within a standard retreat framework, using silent meditation and additionally a tested method of verbal but non-conversational inquiry. This method makes use of words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan.
The intensive focus drives each practitioner into a self-presentation that is difficult to experience in other ways. Practitioners are supported through this process by regular personal interviews with the teachers, interviews being offered most days and sometimes more than once per day. The outcome may be a profound journey through the unity of self, and the acceptance of self, to "self at ease". This may possibly lead further to a direct insight into the ground of being.
The design of the retreat includes multiple private interviews with the teachers. To ensure that each participant receives adequate attention, this retreat is limited to 20 participants, so please apply early. Open equally to beginners and established trainees.
To learn more about the Western Zen Retreat, please download the audio files of Simon Child's talks and participant retreat reports
Weekend retreats are designed for people who have:
- received basic instruction in sitting meditation
- established a routine personal practice
- are interested in maintaining a strong regular practice
Practitioners of all levels welcome. Whether you are new to the practice, or have been practicing for years, the weekend retreats are your opportunity to refresh and renew your sense of balance and clarity of mind.
One-Day Retreat
You will have the chance to experience Chan practice within the course of one full day (9:00 am - 5:00 pm), learning how to apply meditation methods while sitting, walking, exercising, doing mindful work, eating, and throughout all activities. The schedule of the day is very simple, designed to allow one to settle the mind, yet maintain a constant silent awareness amidst stillness or movement.
The retreat also includes brief Dharma talks, as well as guided meditations and instructions on how to use basic meditation methods such as awareness of breathing and total mind-body relaxation.
By attending this full-day retreat, you can deepen your practice by lengthening the time spent in mindful awareness, settling down for a whole day. And with the strength of group practice, one is encouraged and motivated by the whole assembly of participants, who practice together and follow the routine as a closely-nit group.
Overnight Retreat
For the Overnight Retreat, you will have the chance to experience Chan practice for one night, then the following day from early morning through to the evening. Wake up early to the fresh, crisp country air, and then within the course of one full day (5:30 am - 5:00 pm), learn how to apply Chan methods while sitting, walking, exercising, doing mindful work, eating, and throughout all activities. The schedule of the day is very simple and relaxed, designed to allow one to settle the mind, yet maintain a constant silent awareness amidst stillness or movement.
The retreat also includes brief Dharma talks, as well as guided meditations and instructions on how to use basic meditation methods such as awareness of breathing and total mind-body relaxation.
Three-Day Retreat
For those practitioners who wish to delve into the practice for an entire weekend, engaging in a seamless yet relaxing schedule of mindful activity, we welcome you to our 3-Day Retreat.
By following the Chan retreat routine for three days, you can balance all your daily activities (eating, sleeping, sitting meditation, exercise, work practice) . In this way, we harmonize our sleep, diet, body, breath, and mind, using all activities as meditative practice, whether in stillness or in motion. This is the foundation of Chan practice. By doing so, you will be able to experience the effects of healthy living in the spirit of Chan practice. This whole weekend of practice allows you to get more settled into the routine, and thus settle and clear your body and mind.
The 3-day retreat is the next step towards deepening your daily practice, and is also the primer for entering into the Introduction to Chan Retreat.
Intermediate Level Retreats are designed for people who have:
- received basic instruction in sitting meditation
- established a routine personal practice
- have attended a Beginner's or a Three-Day Retreat
Introduction to Chan Retreat
(Length: 7 days)
This retreat is suitable for those who are interested in gradually entering into the practice of intensive retreat. Similar in format to the intensive retreats, the schedule of the Intro to Chan Retreat is relaxed and gently prepares you for the more rigorous schedule used on the advanced retreats. In addition, more review is conducted to refresh your practices of sitting, walking, standing, and prostrations. Throughout the retreat, you will be guided as to the meaning of the practices and activities of Chan retreat, and will thus be able to settle in and feel comfortable with the program. Interviews with the instructor will be provided to assist you with the use of the method and to help you adapt to the retreat.
Within the first few days of this retreat, you will learn to utilize methods of relaxation and concentration, to fully settle the body and mind. Later in the retreat, you'll be introduced to more advanced methods of Chan practice, such as Silent Illumination and Huatou (see section on Intensive Retreats). You can choose from either of these methods, or try both of them, and in this way have a taste of both methods. Then you'll find you have an affinity with one or the other, and can choose this method for your core practice in daily life.
Having attended the Intro to Chan Retreat, you will then be prepared to attend intensive Chan retreats.
Intensive retreats are intended for practitioners who have:
- established a routine personal practice
- have prior retreat experience (i.e. on DDRC's Intermediate Retreats)
- or have attended intensive retreats at other practice centers
These retreats are called "intensive" because they follow the regular monastic schedule, as opposed to the relaxed schedule of the Beginner's and Intermediate Retreats. There are numerous sitting periods per day, and the periods are longer than those on less-intensive retreats. In addition, the retreat style is conducted in a more strict fashion, to help assist participants enter into a state of calm and concentration, while maintaining an attitude of diligence and confidence. Only in this manner can one penetrate into the method and gain a deeper understanding of one's own nature.
Silent Illumination Chan Retreat
(Length: 10 days)
"Silently and serenely, one forgets all words,
Clearly and vividly [it] appears."
The above lines come from "Silent Illumination", a verse composed by Master Hongzhi Zhengjue of the 12th century Caodong (jap. Soto) lineage of the Chan school. They describe the mind of someone who, having left behind all conceptualization, clearly knows the nature of things through the direct experience of enlightenment. Master Hongzhi wrote many beautiful verses describing his deep insight, and today we can read these verses as a way to encourage and inspire ourselves in the practice. Yet we can also use these verses as guidelines for a method of practice, called Silent Illumination. In this method one develops and maintains relaxation, clarity, and openness of mind, ultimately for the purpose of seeing into the nature of the mind. With this insight, one would be very clear as to the basic quality of the mind, which is essentially free of burdens and vexations, naturally expressing wisdom and compassion.
Previously, in the Chinese Chan tradition, this method had been lost for generations, as it had not been taught in Chan monasteries or openly taught to practitioners elsewhere. Only until recently, has Chan Master Sheng Yen (Shifu) revived and systematized the use of this method, based upon the writings of Chan Master Hongzhi and drawing on teachings of the Caodong school, that trace back to Bodhidharma, the Sixth Patriarch, and the Buddha himself. Silent Illumination resembles the zen practice of "just sitting" (Jap. Shikantaza) however, there are subtle differences in approach to this method. In this retreat, you will learn how to practice Silent Illumination, starting with foundational practices to stabilize the mind, and gradually enter into the so-called "method of no method".
(click here for more information about Silent Illumination practice)
Huatou Chan Retreat
(Length: 10 days)
"Don't be concerned with whether or not you get enlightened, just simply pick up the huatou."
Huatou, when translated literally, means "the origin of words" or that which comes before words and language. This refers to the state of mind before any words or conceptualization has arisen, and more precisely, that which exists before thought arises. Thus, huatou is the source of all words, the source of all thoughts, the fundamental nature of the mind. Yet huatou is also a method that we use to point directly at this mind, and in the process, put aside all other concerns. When we investigate huatou, we utilize questions such as "What is my original face before my parents gave birth to me," or "What is wu?" These puzzling, seemingly illogical questions rouse a sense of deep questioning about ourselves, which is referred to as "the doubt sensation". If one can then penetrate the this doubt, one discovers that which one has always had, and subsequently finds real peace and ease within oneself. This is the generation of wisdom and compassion.
Huatou (in Japanese, wato) is a method unique to the Chan school. It has been used widely since the 12th century, as it was made popular by Chan Master Dahui Zonggao of the Linji (Rinzai) Sect, and in the last century was advocated by great Chan Masters Xuyun (Empty Cloud) and Laiguo, and in recent times taught by Chan Master Sheng-Yen. In this retreat, you'll learn how to enter this practice in a manner suitable to your current condition, following the guidelines of the instructor. Depending on the situation, the instruction in this method may be a gentle and relaxed approach, or a vigorous and energetic approach. Nevertheless, you are encouraged to attend this retreat with no expectations, and simply "pick up the huatou".
(Click here for more information about Huatou practice)
Koan Retreat
(Length: 7 days)
In this retreat, we are exploring new ways of investigating koans that are appropriate for Westerners attempting to uncover their enlightenment potential. Many Westerners have exceptionally busy, highly educated and technique-oriented minds that need to be drained of excessive intellection before an opening in meditation can occur. We allow this to happen by asking the practitioner to ponder Koan stories in typical Western style, thinking as to their meaning, before transferring to intuitive mindfulness as thought becomes blocked in the awareness of paradox.
A selection of koan stories is provided from which each participant is asked to choose one for the retreat. As this is a personal choice it will normally relate to the basic "life koan" of each individual. The story thus becomes of profound personal significance. Placing the koan within zazen, the natural Western tendency to analyze meanings is worn away and profound meditative concern arises. As the 'Great Doubt' appears, the possibility of deep insight into the Dharma also become possible in the time honoured manner.
This retreat has been developed within the Western Chan Fellowship (UK) through a blending of the Western Zen Retreat (WZR) with a Huatou retreat and a new focus on Koan stories. The system has been found to be effective in some six presentations so far in Europe. We are happy to bring it to New York as a fresh way of promoting Chan among Western educated people. The retreat is led by Chan Dharma heirs John Crook and Simon Child who started bringing the WZR to Pine Bush some years ago.
The article by John Crook on "Life Koans and Retreat Experience" discusses some issues that arise in the presentation of these retreats. One may also download audio files of this talk.
Applying for Retreats
 If you wish to attend any of these retreats, for the sake of your convenience and to assure that we can best prepare a comfortable environment for all retreat participants, please use our online registration process. Follow the on-screen instructions. Or, you can refer to the
DDRC Retreat Registration User Guide which you can download here.
Please be aware that each event has a deadline date.
Retreat Etiquette
Observing these practices creates and illuminates inner and outer peace and harmony:
- Silence is golden during a retreat so as not to distract ourselves and others from the practice. We are protected by not reading, writing, using various electronic devices or talking. If we need to communicate with someone during working meditation we may use gestures or write a note.
- During retreat, we isolate ourselves and focus solely on our method of practice. Therefore, we refrain from communicating with the outside world, and do not receive guests, make phone calls, or check email during retreat. All mobile phones should be turned off.
- Community spirit is important. We support one another by being together at all times during formal practice. If we need to excuse ourselves, we notify the person in charge. Participants must all stay on the Retreat Center premises for the duration of the retreat.
- Our working meditation is an important form of practice. Engaging in working meditation, we keep our retreat environment clean for everyone's convenience. We also train ourselves to use our meditation method in the midst of daily activity. Everyone is assigned a work responsibility; please wholeheartedly carry out your tasks in mindfulness.
- So as to maintain a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, please do not shower before the morning wake-up call or after 10:00 PM. Monitors will wake you in the morning; please do not use an alarm clock.
- We all have a part to play in keeping the environment clean and orderly. In the Chan Hall, fold your towel each time you stand and keep your personal belongings tidy, to the left of your cushion. Keep your room, bed, and personal belongings tidy.
- Please be on time for all activities, as when we are late we disturb others. Signals are given to remind everyone to return to the Chan hall; please heed them promptly.
- Practice illumination during walking. Walk in a manner that is calm, mindful, light, unhurried, peaceful, and quiet.
- Wear appropriate clothing, namely loose and comfortable clothes with neutral colors. In order not to distract ourselves and others, please do not wear bright colored clothes, tank tops, shorts, cosmetics, perfumes or colognes.
Be aware that for those who do not follow the above Retreat Etiquette to a minor degree will be given a warning. For those who seriously violate these guidelines will be asked to leave the retreat.
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