New Chan Forum

New Chan Forum 46

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New Chan Forum 45

It is with a great sense of honour that I take up the role of editor of the New Chan Forum but with an equally great sense of sadness and loss that I do this following John’s death. This issue is therefore a memorial for John and his life. Included are some contributions that were made at his funeral, some remembrances and memories. But for us to truly appreciate John’s contribution he needs to speak for himself, so there are some selected Teishos which had appeared on the website as well as some poems which were previously unpublished. It is pleasing to include his words which directly point to the teaching he offered. Enjoy the words and investigate the teaching. Eddy Street

• Everything is as it is: this in itself is remarkable - John Crook
• John’s life - Jake Lyne
• Letter from Dharma Drum retreat centre - Guo Xing Fashi
• In memory of John Crook: a great friend - Yiu Yan Nang
• John the explorer and poet - James Crowden
• John the yogin - James Low
• Everyday joy - John Crook
• Some of the bardo records of master Chuan-deng Jing-di John Crook - Members of the Western Chan Fellowship
• John Crook: ethologist - John Lazarus
• Snowfall - John Crook
• John as a lover of truth - Peter Reason
• The Buddhist legacy of John Crook - Simon Child

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New Chan Forum 44

The Long Walk

The articles that fell together haphazardly here and came together in a natural composition seem to emphasise complexity; the irredeemable complexity of the human mind, the self, our world and the Universe. We struggle towards some kind of clarity through the dense fog of history, our contradictory ideas, our worried philosophising and our refusal to accept the simplicity of this moment. We like to achieve, to gain celebrity of any kind, to be clever and please ourselves by what we are doing. Our western minds seek explanation, certainty and respect through self-importances of which we are rarely aware. Reluctantly, we admit our blank stupidities, blaming others, the times, politicians, and our parents. Why are we too often such sad, conflicted, over-complicated persons? These articles take us along many paths and struggle in various ways with these themes. Our two retreat reports reveal two very different situations. We can learn from both of them. It is so difficult for us not to be one-sided, stuck on one bank of a duality. Accepting the unacceptable often seems impossible yet that was the message of the Buddha and the Sutras. Yes – the world and we ourselves are complex yet, when we turn down our overactive left hemispherical concerns, we find a Universe immediately before us in the landscapes we see, the faces we know, the eggs boiling in the saucepan so brilliantly. Yet, thought returns to puzzle us and indeed is often necessary. The place so difficult to reach is the third place – knowing that both sides, intellectual enquiry and spacious direct awareness, make up the whole, we need to pause there seeing both as one – not only the multiplicity in the simplicity but also the simplicity in the complex patterning of our lives: Just Now – no other time. The birds in the spring time trees sing at sunrise.

• The Illusion of Separateness - Žarko Andricevic
• Thoughts on Japan - John Crook
• The Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra - Jake Lyne
• Poem: Ode to "It" - Jane Spray
• Chan and Writing the World - Peter Reason
• Poem: Spring & Fall - G.M. Hopkins
• David Fontana – a Memoir - John Crook
• Poem: Self Ascending - Paul Atherton
• Retreat Reports:
  • Clarity and Confusion
  • Daily Menu – a Cook’s Retreat

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New Chan Forum 43

On the Path of the Third Way

In this issue two themes interweave – analytical understanding of Buddhadharma and uncovering the experiences to which it refers. If we can bring these two together we are well on the way to the third path: that through understanding both, we are led towards Enlightenment. We have John’s introduction to Master Sheng Yen’s examination of a famous Chinese Sutra. In this John returns to examining the Dharma after his review of method in our last issue (NCF 42). We have a presentation of Chinese poetry from Yiu Yan Nang and an introduction to the holistic thinking of Jean-Marc Mantel. Our poems and Florencia’s pondering of her pet flies take us into experience. Finally, Roger Taylor gives us a clear insight into some controversial experiments on the edge of Science that, if proven through further research, would have great significance for us. We end with our retreat reports as usual. So – here we go again. Read, learn, digest!

• The Sutra of Complete Enlightenment:
• An Introduction  - John Crook
• Poem: What Is This? - Paul Goddard
• A Glimpse of Chinese Poetry - Yiu Yan Nang
• The Great Work: Healing the World by Mental Intention - Roger Taylor
• Poems from Retreat - Rebekah Kenton
• Fly - Florencia Clifford
• Sayings of Jean-Marc Mantel - John Crook & Carol Evans
• Retreat Reports - Various
• Followers of the Great Way - Ken Jones
• Book Reviews - Peter Fenwick & Ken Jones

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New Chan Forum 42

Zen Quests

John opens this issue with his annual address as Teacher to the Western Chan Fellowship. It has been revised from the spoken version at Stroud early this spring (2010). This year’s address is particularly worthy of careful attention by all fellows because it sets out a carefully constructed review and interpretation of our retreat methods, their unique character and their derivation from Shifu’s Chan, all the way from the first sit to an enlightenment experience. It explores our terminology in attempting to make clear some Chinese terms and ideas. This detailed account of method should be helpful for all Westerners attempting to find out where they are on the path. Note, this is a discussion of method – a key interest of Shifu. The Dharma that is the basis of all methods remains untouched in the age-old Chan tradition Shifu has handed on to us, eye-ball to eye-ball, through our Dharma heirs. The articles and poems that follow all result from individual practices of method with their delight, paradox, problems and difficulties. These are expressed in a caring, reflective article from Fiona Nuttall, poems, haibun and retreat reports from all of which much about the Dharma within our charity in our time is expressed. Finally, we remember with affection Dr Sally Masheder who died recently from cancer after contributing so much to the NBO and the Bristol Chan Group. And also Dr David Clark who enlivened several of our retreats some years ago.We thank our contributors for such a rich mix of insight, feeling and commitment.

• Meaning, Purpose & Insight In Western Chan - John Crook
• Poem: At Home In Great Stillness - Pat Simmons
• Finding The Sacred In The Everyday: The Buddha Path In Social Responsibility - Fiona Nuttall
• The Chinese Inscriptions At Maenllwyd - John Crook
• Poem: Wisdom - Jane Spray
• Haibun: An Appointment With Yama - Ken Jones
• Poems: Mothers’ Day & Sounds - Yeshe
• Retreat Reports From Hourne Farm, Gaia House, Maenllwyd & Poland - Various
• David Clark. In Memoriam - John Crook
• Remembering Sally: Obituary & Memoirs - Various

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New Chan Forum 41

Buddhist Hopes & Buddhist Fears

In this issue of our journal, we present the proceedings of the conference prepared and organised for the Western Chan Fellowship by the Bristol Chan Group in Bristol on the 31st October and 1st November 2009. It follows from a similar conference on Death and Dying in 2006 and is intended to discuss important themes, psychological, educational and cultural, emerging from the threats from impending Climate and Peak Oil crises now facing the 21st century world society. What beneficial role can Buddhism play in this crisis? The speakers provide important and profound thoughts on several aspects of our time – psychological development in relationship, work, education, and philosophical holism. This is a beginning of thoughtful appraisals that all of us with concerns about the world must now address with increasing attention. We are proud to present these valuable texts to you here.

Living & Loving in the 21st Century Conference:

• Context: Sarah Bird
• Introduction to the Conference: Mike Masheder
• Developing & Relating: Eddy Street
• What is my Work in the World? Tim Malnick
• Essential Education: Alison Murdoch
• Living & Loving as Part of the Whole: Peter Reason
• Closing Remarks: Hilary Richards
• How can we Cultivate Kindness? Sally Masheder
• The Search for New World-views: John Crook

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