Waterloo English Half-Day Chan Retreat Cultivates Mindful Awareness in Stillness and Action

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

The Fo Guang Shan Waterloo Buddha’s Light Centre held an English Half-Day Retreat on January 31, guided by Venerable Zhi Guan, Superintendent of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, and Venerable Ru An, Director of Social Education. Fifteen Western participants were led through guided practice and experiential learning to encounter the calm, orderly rhythm of daily life in a Buddhist temple.

The retreat opened with the chanting of the Heart Sutra, followed by the recitation of the Morning Prayer composed by Fo Guang Shan Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun, helping participants settle body and mind and return to the present moment. Venerable Zhi Guan then offered an introduction to Buddhism, explaining the core teachings of suffering, impermanence, and non-self through the lens of Humanistic Buddhism, providing participants with clear guidance for practice and life.

Venerable Ru An led a meditation session focused on mindfulness of breathing and bodily awareness. Many participants shared that meditation bringing both physical relaxation and mental clarity.

Before the midday meal, Venerable Zhi Guan explained the Fo Guang Four-Line Verse, the Five Contemplations of Eating, and the Three Reflections before Meals—guiding participants to practice mindful eating with gratitude, awareness, and appreciation. One participant reflected that, after the teaching, they experienced for the first time the joy of Dharma in each mindful bite.

The morning emphasized learning and cultivation, while the afternoon featured a relaxed tea gathering for open dialogue with the monastics. This was followed by demonstrations of Buddhist etiquette and ritual instruments, with hands-on participation creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere.

The retreat concluded with reflective journaling and heartfelt sharing. Participants expressed that they gained new insights, particularly on impermanence, and learned to apply mindfulness to everyday activities such as eating. The English Half-Day Retreat offered the community a meaningful opportunity to set aside distractions, cultivate inner calm, and reconnect with one’s core values.