OHY Spotlight
News from Le Chant de la Vallée
Published Mar 21, 2013
All hermitages are occupied through next December at this remote retreat in Eastern Canada. In the spirit of Chan, people who stay at the retreat receive no explicit ethnic teachings, only silent Dharma teaching. Fa Tian continues his work in the field of Environmental Education. More about Le Chant de la... Read more
Rev. Fa Zhao Shakya is appointed Training Manager of The Buddhist Council of NSW, Australia
Published Jan 29, 2013
In January 2013, Rev Fa Zhao, Matt Lawther, was promoted to the position of Training Manager of the Buddhist Council of NSW, Australia. With a background of 20 years in Vocational Education and Training, Matt will be managing The Buddhist Council’s education programs. These include internal training for staff and volunteers... Read more
Fa Lohng Appointed President of Regional Buddhist Association
Published Oct 24, 2012
Fa Lohng Shakya (Koro Kaisan Miles) began his term as president of the Northwest Dharma Association this last June. He has been on the board of the Association since 2006, serving most recently as vice president. The Northwest Dharma Association (NWDA) is a regional network of Buddhist groups and practice centers... Read more
Celebrating the life of Yao Feng of Greece
Published Sep 30, 2012
Unexpected news of the passing of Yao Feng (Dimitris Maras) arrived early this morning. Yao Feng was the husband of many decades of Co-Abbot of the Order of Hsu Yun, Fa Lian Shakya (Ayna Maurer). He passed away after a long struggle following a stroke on September 1, 2012. During... Read more
3 Day Retreat in Belgium
Published Sep 16, 2012
Nicolas Gounaropoulos, Fa Chan Shakya, of Belgium and Philippe Duchesne, Fa Tian Shakya, of Canada offer a three day retreat in November, 2012, in Belgium focusing on meditation and workshops centered about the I-Ching, or Book of Changes, a Chinese philosophical and spiritual paradigm that dates back melinnia and is... Read more
Fa Gong at Balcombe Estuary Reserve in Mt. Martha
Published Sep 06, 2012
Fa Gong of Melbourne Australia recently participated in a Mornington Peninsula Interfaith Network event at Balcombe Estuary Reserve in Mt. Martha. In a ceremony officiated by spiritual leaders of many world religions, as well as indiginous "elders" of the community, Fa Gong was honored to be chosen as the spiritual... Read more
Clouds & Water Hermitage Dedication
Published Sep 06, 2012
On Saturday August 25th 2012, members of the Order of the Boundless Way joined with friends and neighbors for the dedication of Clouds and Water Hermitage. This event marks the beginning of what will become the primary retreat center for the Order of the Boundless Way. Unsui-an (雲水庵 as Clouds... Read more
Dual Ceremonies At Mountain Way Zendo
Published Sep 06, 2012
On August 23rd, 2012, Fa Xing hosted a small gathering at his own Mountain Way Zendo in Washington State, USA, to dedicate the recently completed practice space. As a member of the Order of the Boundless Way, the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun, and Plum Mountain Refuge, he was... Read more
Awakening Way Zen, Melbourne, Australia
Published Sep 03, 2012
Fa Gong Shakya (Finn McMillan) introduces Awakening Way Zen, "A Way Of Intimacy, Awareness and Self-Acceptance" in Melbourne, Australia. Integrating contemporary, scientific, approaches to psychology, with ancient traditions of Chan/Zen practice, Fa Gong offers a unique and easily accessible approach for anyone seeking deeper knowledge of Self. Meetings occur weekly from... Read more
The Art and Poetry of Fa Guan (John Stubbs)
Published Aug 25, 2012
Fa Guan (John Stubbs) resides in Castleton, Ontario, Canada where he spends his time painting and reflecting. He offers us many of his inspiring works of poetry and art in the form of paintings and drawings and calligraphy. View the slide show to see his most recent works. {loadposition john-stubbs-art} Read more
Mountain Way Zen
Published Apr 28, 2012
Mountain Way Zen makes its first apperance on the Web in April. The group is founded by Fa Xing Shakya of the Order of Hsu Yun, who continues to have the largest prison ministry in the Pacific Northwest. He explains: "We are wayfarers from various faiths and walks of life... Read more
Zendo Construction begins in May
Published Apr 28, 2012
Fa Lohng Shakya (Koro Kaisan) Fa Lohng (Koro Kaisan), resident teacher at Open Gate Zendo, begins the construction of a new Zendo building in May on a remote island in the Puget Sound which will be completed over the summer. Once finished, the site will host Japanese-style retreats for serious Zen... Read more
Chant de la vallée
Published Apr 28, 2012
J’ai toujours été impressionné par la quiétude qui se dé-gage d’une grenouille assise des heures durant sur le bord de l’étang. Un moustique vient à passer et hop!, elle le gobe en un centième de seconde. Puis elle re-prend sa longue assise silencieuse. La grenouille illustre parfaitement, selon moi, l’attitude... Read more
Fa Dong Speaks in Massechusetts
Published Apr 27, 2012
In April, Fa Dong gave two Dharma talks in Massachusetts, one an overview of Chan, and the second on the Chan (and Buddhist) view of duality. He spoke both about the Chan/Zen approach and the similarities of the Madhyamaka view. When not traveling, Fa Dong offers a Wednessday night mediation and discussion... Read more
Grand Master Ben Huan passes after 105 years
Published Apr 04, 2012
Grand Master Ben Huan. Photo taken in 2010 at a celebration in honor of his birthday. Grand Master Ben Huan, one of the most respected of China's Chan masters, passed away this past Monday, April 2, 2012, at the age of 105. He was the Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Buddhist... Read more
2012 Interview with Chuan Zhi
Published Feb 15, 2012
This interview was conducted on January 27th, 2012, by a visitor to our website who wishes to remain anonymous. Q: Are you the leader of your organization? If so, what is your role? I am the Abbot of the Order, which means I am the “senior monk”. Technically, I am no longer... Read more
Yin De to speak in Arizona on March 11th, 2012
Published Jan 19, 2012
Y in De Shakya (Randy Nowell) will be giving a public talk in Phoenix, Arizona on March 11th on the concepts of "Self" (Atman) and "Non-Self" (Anatman). Yin De regularly offers private Zen instruction programs in Southern California and elsewhere as well as small group "Introduction to Zen" workshops and Zazenkai... Read more
The Empty Cloud Chan Group offering weekly meditation sessions
Published Jan 16, 2012
Fa Dong Shakya is offering weekly meditation sessions at his home outside of Beijing, China. Established in 2009, the Empty Cloud Chan group offers Chan study and practice to all interested people regardless of ethnicity or religious background. Fa Dong can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Read more
The Central Coast Zen Centre celebrates its three year anniversary
Published Jan 09, 2012
T he Central Coast Zen Centre is in Davistown NSW, Australia has been operating for about 3 years under the guidance of Fa Zhao Shakya. With about 18 regular participants, they sit regularly 5 times a week, with Wednesday evening dedicated to a full service of Zazen, Kinhin, Tea and Teisho,... Read more
Welcome East Wind Sangha!
Published Jan 09, 2012
In December, 2011, Viento del Este sanga was established under the guidance of Orden Hsu Yun Argentina subsidiary Mar del Plata. The East Wind sangha is officiated by Upasaka Zheng Gong (Alberto Tenaglia). Zheng Gong's sangha meets every Monday for meditation. Fa Di Shakya, right, with Zheng Gong, left. Read more
Images of Ireland by Fa Xing
Published Oct 23, 2011
Fa Xing (Peadar Graham) has been an enthusiast of Zen and martial arts since his teen years over 30 years ago and continues regular practice in his homeland of Ireland. He shares with us here some images of Ireland near his home Gork a Hork. Don't listen to the wind... Read more
Fa Zhao appointed to the State Buddhist Council of New South Wales
Published Oct 11, 2011
Fa Zhao (Matthew Lawther) recently accepted employment with the State Buddhist Council of New South Wales, Australia, equivalent to the State and Regional Dharma Associations within the United States and other parts of the world. He will be coordinating Buddhist Chaplain visitations for hospitals, hospices and other government funded organizations with... Read more
The Fine Art of Eckhardt Milz
Published Oct 03, 2011
Eckhardt Milz, Fa Huo, has been a member of the Order of Hsu Yun and a Zen practitioner for more than a decade. With an early career in computer art, he later turned to focus on fine-arts, taking up oil painting. Now an accomplished and recognized painter living in Sweden,... Read more
Biographical Sketch: Rev.Fa Yang Sakhya
Published Aug 02, 2011
Shihan Henry Arambulo (Rev.Fa Yang Sakhya) Henry Arámbulo Sensei was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela on November 19th, 1967. At the age of five he began training in a variety of martial arts, including Tiger style Kung Fu under sifu Parazzi of Italy and Jean Pierre Crameri. In 1990 he joined the... Read more
Zen at the Stafford Creek Correction Center
Published Jul 06, 2011
Fa Xing Shakya recently gave a talk on Zen Buddhism at Stafford Creek Correction Center in Aberdeen, Washington, USA. In late May, he was invited to the prison’s annual Asian-Pacific Islander cultural event to give an opening blessing and say a few words about Buddhism to the inmate population. Fa Xing has been... Read more
Dual Ceremonies and Sesshin at Open Gate Zendo
Published Jul 01, 2011
On May 21, 2011, two ceremonies were conducted at the Open Gate Zendo during a weekend sesshin. Beau Vandendolder received dual ordination in the Order of the Boundless Way and the Order of Hsu Yun, receiving the Dharma name Yin Jing. Yin Jing lives in Portland Oregon where he works... Read more
The Order of Hsu Yun, Argentina, becomes nationally recognized
Published Jun 15, 2011
In May, 2011, the Order of Hsu Yun Argentina, founded by Rev. Fa Di Shakya, OHY, was accepted by the Argentine Parliament of Religions (institution recognized by the Argentine government). For more that two years Rev. Fa Di has been propogating Zen through regular radio shows and occasional Television appearances.... Read more
Fa Yang Shakya performs precepts ceremony in Venezuela
Published Jun 14, 2011
On Friday, May 13, Fa Yang Shakya (Henry Arambulo) gave precepts to nine students at Dojo Hiramatsu Kan in Municipio San Francisco, Zulia State, Venezuela. The event was commemorated with a Dharma Talk by Fa Yang, a meditation session, and the delivery of precepts certificates and malas to each. Below are some... Read more
Le chant de la vallée opens hermitages for silent retreats
Published May 30, 2011
Philippe Duchesne, Fa Tian Shakya, is Abbot of «Le chant de la vallée» located in Sutton, Quebec, Canada, and a Senior Dharma Teacher of the Order of Hsu Yun. For the past decade, «Le chant de la vallée» has welcomed people of very different spiritual traditions to delve into their... Read more
The Mozhao Ming
Published Jan 13, 2011
12th Century AD In complete silence words are forgotten,total clarity appears before you.When you reflect it, it is boundlessly vast,and your body becomes numinous. Numinous it is illuminated without relying on anything,in illumination, you return to the transcendent [miao].The dewy moon on the Milky Way,the snow-clad pine on the cloudy peak. In darkness... Read more
Self-portrait with Lightning
Published Sep 20, 2010
This picture, "Self-portrait with Lightning", was inspired by a mystical event that became the defining moment of my life. If you guessed that I'm in the house at the bottom of the painting, you're right. The room with the light on is my bedroom, and I'm in there. The event began at five-thirty in the morning of December... Read more
Poetic Images
Published Apr 20, 2010
Attachment to things means suffering. Beings are so tied up they can’t move so end up being part of those things they make. The ego always finds reasons to hang onto someone or something. Things are tough and sharp in this world and hurt the purity of one's soul endlessly... Read more
A Woman's Work
Published Apr 20, 2010
Seeing things as they are Awareness opened one of the Dharma doors with a new way of seeing things. She started to understand more and more, then realized that all was neti! neti! Starring at all things, she saw through all forms the emptiness that beheld the whole. What... Read more
Hakuin's Song of Zazen
Published Mar 02, 2010
English translation by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki All beings are primarily Buddhas. It is like water and ice:There is no ice apart from water;There are no Buddhas apart from beings. Not knowing how close the truth is to them,Beings seek for it afar -- what a pity!They are like those who, being in the... Read more
Meditation 17
Published Feb 20, 2010
Perchance he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for... Read more
Images and Reflections, Series VI
Published Jun 20, 2009
Poems Yao Feng, more poems of Yao Feng at http://www.heliocd.com/dau.html A new future Language? I suggest we may need to better read a wordless One to ingest the meanings coaxed into stone set in place (like remnant bones) aeons ago in Egyptian gardens across Sirian gulfs... deluged, submerged... Read more
Images and Reflections, Series V
Published Jun 20, 2009
Painting, Poems, and Haiku by Yao Feng Tasmania, Australia, Photos by Ronbo. The walls of cool mist, dance with the morning sun. Far off the birds sing and call, riding the early morning breeze. Soon the mountains are crisp and clear in the newness of dawn. All thoughts... Read more
Images and Reflections, Series IV
Published Jun 20, 2009
Painted Windows Photograph by Yao Xiang ( Painting on the side of a building in Mt. Shasta by Tom O'Hara ) Painted Windows I lived in a house with two real windows and the other two painted on. Those painted windows caused my first sorrow. I'd touch the sides of... Read more
Images and Reflections, Series III
Published Jun 20, 2009
Photographs by Yao Xiang, with accompanying haiku and poetry by Issa, and others "Do I dare Disturb the universe? In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse. For I have known them all already, known them... Read more
Images and Reflections, Series II
Published Jun 20, 2009
Photographs by Yao Xiang, with accompanying haiku and poetry by Issa, and others Kausika the brahmana, who is now roasting in Hell, set his heart on Virtue, and in all his life never told a lie, even in jest. Once having seen their helpless victim run past him... Read more
Images and Reflections, Series I
Published Jun 20, 2009
Photographs by Yao Xiang, with accompanying haiku by Basho, Buson, Issa, and others Come out to view the truth of flowers blooming in poverty -- Basho The new year arrived in utter simplicity - and a deep... Read more
Two Birds
Published Jun 20, 2009
Painting by Rev. Fa Ming Shakya, OHY "Thou, Brahman Immortal, And thou, woven of clay (Two beings, yet one.) - Like two beautiful birds, Golden of plumage, Companions inseparable, Perched high up on the branches Of the selfsame tree - As man, though tastest The sweet fruits of the tree,... Read more
The Ten Oxherding Pictures: Series 2
Published Jun 16, 2009
English translations from poems by Kaku-anChinese poems by Kuo An Zhe I. Searching for the Ox Alone in the wilderness, lost in the jungle, the boy is searching, searching! The swelling waters, the far-away mountains, and the unending path; Exhausted and in despair, he knows not where to go, He only hears the evening cicadas... Read more
The Ten Oxherding Pictures: Series 1
The Ten Oxherding Pictures of Zen: Series 1 I. Undisciplined With his horns fiercely projected in the air the beast snorts, Madly running over the mountain paths, farther and farther he goes…
Muhammad and the Huge Eater
Translated by Coleman Barks Excerpt from "Delicious Laughter, Rambunctious Teaching Stories from the Mathnawi" by Coleman Barks. 1990 Paypop Books, 196 Westview Drive, Athens, GA 30606. (Note: Husam was Rumi's much loved…
Oxherding Poems by Hsu Yun
Illustrations by Fa Lian Shakya - Greece 1. Pushing Aside the Grass to Look for the Ox Wanting to break through to Emptiness with my white cudgelI cried out louder than the…
Have Mercy on Me, My Soul!
Why are you weeping, my Soul?Knowest thou my weakness?Thy tears strike sharp and injure,For I know not my wrong.Until when shalt thou cry?I have naught but human words to interpret…
Selected Poems by Fa Guang
Origins The Mind knows beyond farhere a blooming weedout there a fading star Sitting Through It Thoughts of my hometown...how many worlds are there,shimmering in and out of the mind? Tao Lesson We hear the…
Time to Clean the House
So little time, so much to do.Sweep unpleasant thingsUnder the rug of Time.Divide seconds into smaller parts.But clocks have no room For smaller "parts."No time, just a continuum.A verse with no…
Fa Lian Gallery: Samsara
Rev. Fa Lian Shakya is Co-Abbot, and Senior Dharma Teacher, of the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun. Before turning to a solitary life of Zen and Fine Arts…
Fa Lian Gallery: Reflections
Rev. Fa Lian Shakya is Co-Abbot, and Senior Dharma Teacher, of the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun. Before turning to a solitary life of Zen and Fine Arts…
Fa Lian Gallery: Sketches
Rev. Fa Lian Shakya is Co-Abbot, and Senior Dharma Teacher, of the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun. Before turning to a solitary life of Zen and Fine Arts…
