A Mind Without Limits

Great Buddha Monastery Holds the 2024 Weeklong Intensive Beginner’s Meditation Class in Thailand

Great Buddha Monastery, the Thailand branch of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, hosted a short-term intensive beginner's meditation retreat from August 25^th to September 1^st. The retreat embodied the essence of Mahayana Buddhism, which is dedicated to benefiting all beings, and followed the Three Links of Cultivation—scripture study, meritorious service, and meditation—established by the Founding Abbot, Grand Master Weichueh. Nearly seventy participants and volunteers from Thailand, China, Italy, Singapore, and Japan gathered to experience Dharma joy after the Chung Tai motto: “Chung Tai holds a flower, and sentient beings smile.”

On the first morning of the retreat, new participants, guided by monastics and volunteers, completed the registration process and received their Chan Buddhism Level 1 textbooks and layperson robes, preparing for their journey of self-discovery. After attending a formal opening ceremony, participants toured Great Buddha Monastery. Through finely crafted Buddha statues and cultural artifacts, they gained a profound appreciation for the vastness and depth of Buddhist culture, inspiring their resolve for diligent practice. In the afternoon, participants mindfully drank tea and enjoyed refreshments during the Zhaozhou Tea Reception. Engaging in everyday activities such as eating and drinking with mindfulness, they reflected deeply on the questions, “Who is the one drinking tea? Who is the one that can drink tea?”