ABOUT US/UNIDHARMA ASSOCIATION
UniDharma is a non-profit cultural association that for nearly ten years has been aiming to spread the teaching of the Buddha, specifically Patriarch Chan, by using a wide variety of tools in order to help all sentient beings
The word Chan comes from the Sanskrit word “Dhyana,” which has many meanings, but in our case it means "Illuminated Mind" or "Buddhahood". The word “Chan” is the Chinese translation of Dhyana. The word “Zen” comes from the word Chan.
Since the time of The Buddha, over 2500 years ago, the monastic community (Sangha) has been the essential and official instrument through which the Buddha’s teaching (Dharma) has been propagated to our time. During all these centuries, the Sangha were supported entirely by voluntary contributions of lay people in the belief that these teachings should be made available for everybody.
Therefore, the UniDharma Association, founded and led by Buddhist Chan monk Da Xing, hopes to develop, by a modern approach, a monastic community based on the Buddha Dharma essential principles but using a modern approach more suitable for Western practitioners. The Institute also wishes to build a monastery to develop activities related to the spread of Buddha Dharma. Further, it intends to develop a lay community of practitioners in a harmonious interaction with both monks and nuns.
CHAN PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
The UniDharma Association conducts its activities at its two centers, located in Genoa and in Roreto of Cherasco. It also maintains collaborative relationships with the Pure Chan Buddhist Institute in Berkeley and ChanGrove Temple in Taipei, as well as with other Chan centers in Europe and Canada, where the monk Da Xing collaborates by leading retreats.
There are many activities at the Genoa and Roreto of Cherasco (CN) centers:
• Patriarch Chan sitting meditation classes, alternating Tea-Chan (drinking tea as Chan
practice), Chan exercises, Dharma talks with time for questions suitable for practitioners of all levels.
• Lessons that emphasize Tea-Chan, alternating short meditations and Dharma talks
suitable for practitioners of all levels.
• Practice of moderate or vigorous outdoor walks, slow walks, running, exercises,
meditation sessions.
• Outdoor daytime practice, in the mountains or other natural settings.
All activities are adapted to practitioners at different levels. For beginners there are always introductory lessons to the practice.
The word Chan comes from the Sanskrit word “Dhyana,” which has many meanings, but in our case it means "Illuminated Mind" or "Buddhahood". The word “Chan” is the Chinese translation of Dhyana. The word “Zen” comes from the word Chan.
Since the time of The Buddha, over 2500 years ago, the monastic community (Sangha) has been the essential and official instrument through which the Buddha’s teaching (Dharma) has been propagated to our time. During all these centuries, the Sangha were supported entirely by voluntary contributions of lay people in the belief that these teachings should be made available for everybody.
Therefore, the UniDharma Association, founded and led by Buddhist Chan monk Da Xing, hopes to develop, by a modern approach, a monastic community based on the Buddha Dharma essential principles but using a modern approach more suitable for Western practitioners. The Institute also wishes to build a monastery to develop activities related to the spread of Buddha Dharma. Further, it intends to develop a lay community of practitioners in a harmonious interaction with both monks and nuns.
CHAN PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
The UniDharma Association conducts its activities at its two centers, located in Genoa and in Roreto of Cherasco. It also maintains collaborative relationships with the Pure Chan Buddhist Institute in Berkeley and ChanGrove Temple in Taipei, as well as with other Chan centers in Europe and Canada, where the monk Da Xing collaborates by leading retreats.
There are many activities at the Genoa and Roreto of Cherasco (CN) centers:
• Patriarch Chan sitting meditation classes, alternating Tea-Chan (drinking tea as Chan
practice), Chan exercises, Dharma talks with time for questions suitable for practitioners of all levels.
• Lessons that emphasize Tea-Chan, alternating short meditations and Dharma talks
suitable for practitioners of all levels.
• Practice of moderate or vigorous outdoor walks, slow walks, running, exercises,
meditation sessions.
• Outdoor daytime practice, in the mountains or other natural settings.
All activities are adapted to practitioners at different levels. For beginners there are always introductory lessons to the practice.
Retreats
Keeping The Buddha’s words alive
Although Patriarch Chan is the transmission independent of words and scripture, the Buddha’s words point to the realization of the practice. The scriptures are the Buddha’s words, while Chan is the mind of the Buddha. The scriptures are the finger that points to the Moon, and Chan is the Moon itself.
In the majority of cases, Chan practitioners need to be exposed for a short or longer time to the words of Buddhas and patriarchs.
Studies and Translations
At the Unidharma center in Genoa, you can access a number of Buddhist texts (shastras and commentaries) available without charge and translated by practitioners of the Center under the supervision of the monk Da Xing.
Select texts from various Buddhist traditions, in Italian, English and Chinese, are available to those who are interested. Residents outside Genoa and Cherasco can receive the books by mail.
All our books are distributed free of charge; however, if possible, we encourage donations to help us maintain the Association and its activities.
Although Patriarch Chan is the transmission independent of words and scripture, the Buddha’s words point to the realization of the practice. The scriptures are the Buddha’s words, while Chan is the mind of the Buddha. The scriptures are the finger that points to the Moon, and Chan is the Moon itself.
In the majority of cases, Chan practitioners need to be exposed for a short or longer time to the words of Buddhas and patriarchs.
Studies and Translations
At the Unidharma center in Genoa, you can access a number of Buddhist texts (shastras and commentaries) available without charge and translated by practitioners of the Center under the supervision of the monk Da Xing.
Select texts from various Buddhist traditions, in Italian, English and Chinese, are available to those who are interested. Residents outside Genoa and Cherasco can receive the books by mail.
All our books are distributed free of charge; however, if possible, we encourage donations to help us maintain the Association and its activities.
PUBLICATIONS
"May many enjoy these readings, may the merits derived from these translations bring benefit to all sentient beings, with no exceptions, so that the light of wisdom and compassion end the limitless darkness of ignorance and suffering of all beings ".
Bhikshu Da Xing
Bhikshu Da Xing