Meditation is a practice of cultivating focus and clarity in order to realise our inherent awakened nature.
Chan means awakening, expressed in Buddhism as wisdom and compassion. Chan is also a school within Chinese Buddhism – the origination of Japanese Zen.
The best way to learn meditation is to take a class. Drop in on our regular group sittings and one of the instructors will guide you through the basics. All are welcome.
Who we are
London Chan Meditation
We are a UK-based not-for-profit organisation, an affiliate of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA).
We offer meditation instructions, Dharma talks from our teachers, reading club, public lectures, practice meetups, retreats and informal social gatherings. Our programs are donation-based and are open to anyone who is interested, irrespective of religious affiliations or race.
All are welcome!
Meet our teachers
Master Sheng Yen (1931 – 2009)
He was the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain and Dharma Drum Lineage.
He was a Chinese Buddhist monk, a religious scholar, and one of the mainstream teachers of Chan Buddhism. Master Sheng Yen was well known as a progressive Buddhist teacher who sought to teach Buddhism in a modern and Western-influenced world. In 2000, he was one of the keynote speakers in the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held in the United Nations.
He wrote more than a hundred books in Chinese and more than a dozen in English. Many of his books have been translated into other languages.
We study his books, watch and listen to his recordings.
Venerable Chang Wu
She was a student of Master Sheng Yen and now is the Abbess of Dharma Drum Mountain Vancouver Centre in Canada.
She was a business professional holding an MBA before studying Chan with Master Sheng Yen in New York in 1993. She entered monastic life in 2000 and has been teaching Buddhism and meditation since 2003. She regularly gives public lectures and leads retreats in the USA and Europe.
Venerable Chang Wu offers monthly online teachings and visits us regularly.
Guo Gu (Dr. Jimmy Yu)
He was Master Sheng Yen’s first personal attendant and assistant.
He is the Founder of Tallahassee Chan Center and an Associate Professor of Buddhist Studies at Florida State University.
He is an experienced teacher and practitioner of Chan in both monastic and lay life. He is also the author of several books, including The Essence of Chan, Passing Through the Gateless Barrier and Silent Illumination.
Guo Gu is our primary teacher, and offers monthly online teachings and visits us regularly.