Ten-Day Silent Illumination Retreat
【Date】Ten-Day Retreat: From 12/25 1pm to 1/4 1pm
Five-Day Retreat: From 12/25 1pm to 12/30 1pm
【Donation】The suggested amount is $400 for Ten-Day Retreat
$200 for Five-Day Retreat
Fees are waived for volunteers at DDM LA and SF centers
【Registration】Click here to register
“Silently and serenely, forgetting all words, clearly and vividly, it appears before you.”
The quotation above comes from the poem “Silent Illumination,” composed by Master Hongzhi Zhengjue, a 12th-century lineage holder of the Caodong (Jap. Soto) school of Chan Buddhism. They describe the mind of someone who has left behind all attachment to thought and conceptualization. By doing this, they clearly know the nature of things through the direct experience of enlightenment.
Master Hongzhi wrote many beautiful poems describing his deep insight. While today we can read these poems for inspiration and encouragement in our practice, they also function as guidelines for a method known as silent illumination.
With this method, the aim is to develop and maintain relaxation, clarity and openness of mind. Ultimately, the goal is to see into the nature of the mind. One who has achieved this insight establishes a solid understanding and confidence of how to cultivate freedom and ease in dealing with all situations. Naturally, they know how to resolve their remaining vexations, and use wisdom and compassion in their daily lives.
During this retreat you will learn how to practice silent illumination, starting with foundational methods to stabilize the mind, and gradually entering into what is known as the “method of no method.”
For further reading about the silent illumination method, we encourage you to explore Master Sheng Yen’s book, “The Method of No-Method.”
This 10-Day Retreat will be led by Ven. Guo Guang in Chinese and English.
Thoughts on the retreat from a participant in December 2023: Reflection On My Second 10-day Retreat

Vice Abbot of DDM and Senior Teacher Ven. Guo Goang (果廣法師)
Venerable Kuo Kuang become a Bhikkhuni in 1990. She received transmission from our late Master Sheng Yen and became one of the Dharma Heirs in 2005 when she was the executive vice-provost of DDM. Venerable was the provost of DDM from 2006~2013 then she took a six-year solitary retreat from 2013~2019 in Taiwan. Venerable is currently appointed as the Vice-abbot of Dharma Drum Mountain and serve as a senior teacher at Dharma Drum Mountain Chan Meditation Center, NY.