Activities and Schedule

The Austin chapter of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association meets once a week for a sitting meditation. The meditation is usually preceded by a series of eight prescribed movement forms, which help to balance the body and mind as well as enhance meditation. There are also plans for a study group in the near future, which will focus on the writings of Venerable Master Sheng-yen as well as Buddhist sutras. Because the group meets in a private home, it is strongly advised to call ahead before a visit. In addition to its regular weekly meditations, the Austin Chapter of Dharma Drum Mountain sometimes has one-day meditations. One-day meditations serve to emphasize the the organization's philosophy that Ch’an (Chinese Zen) is a way of life.

History

The Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMA) is an international organization based in Taiwan. The group’s founder, Venerable Master Sheng-yen, has received dharma transmission in both the Cao Dong and Lin Ji traditions of Ch’an Buddhism. Master Sheng-yen’s vision is for Buddhism to be understood by the general public and to be applied to daily life. Jason Wey has been involved with DDMA for twenty years and founded the Austin chapter in 1993. The group has met in various private homes over the years, including a farm house in Georgetown (a suburb of Austin.) Today, the group meets in Jason Wey’s new home, which features a large meditation room on the top floor. Although Jason facilitates and organizes the group, he is not a religious leader and is advised by Venerable Guo-Yuan Fa Shi, a local disciple of Master Sheng-yen.

Venerable Master Sheng-Yen in Austin

On June 20th, 2003, the Austin Chapter of Dharma Drum Mountain asked Master Sheng-yen to give a lecture at the University of Texas at Austin. Master Sheng-yen spoke to a group of over five hundred. Members of all of Austin’s Buddhist groups were present. When it was time for questions, someone asked “Where can I get a copy of the Diamond Sutra?” Using his keen sense of humor, Master Sheng-yen replied, “There is one at Jason Wey’s house.” Instead of staying in a hotel, Master Sheng-yen and his entourage stayed in the private homes of the Austin members of DDMA. Master Sheng-yen is said to have remarked that he enjoyed his visit to Austin and that there was a good energy in his audience at the University of Texas.

Demographics

In the Austin chapter of DDMA, meditation is usually conducted in both Chinese and English. Similarly, Master Sheng-yen has published many books in both English and Chinese. The group's size tends to increase during the school year with college students who are interested in Buddhism and meditation.

Description

When Jason Wey began looking at new homes in 2002, he was interested in a floor plan that would allow for a meditation room. The third floor of Mr. Wey’s current home is a large meditation room with hardwood floors. One end of the room is equipped with statues of the Earth Store Boddhisattva, Sakyamuni Buddha, and Kuan Yin. The other end of the room features large bay windows overlooking the Texas hill country. The meditation room also has a library of Buddhist texts and a storage space with cushions and other equipment for meditation.

Community

Several member of the Austin chapter of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association are also involved with the International Buddhist Progress Society. Both groups reflect different lineages of Ch'an Buddhism. Vickie Fu, who is a member of both groups, commented that Dharma Drum Mountain emphasizes meditation while the International Buddhist Progress Society’s Xiang Yun temple is a place of worship-and so there is no conflict between the two practices.