EAST-WEST ACADEMY OF HEALING ARTS’

SECOND ANNUAL RETREAT AT THE CITY OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS

People from differing professions but sharing a common interest in the art of healing and holistic health, gathered recently at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas for the Second Annual Retreat of the East-West Academy of Healing Arts.

Shown below the group strolled the grounds of the 257-acre City and until they came to a meadow where they sat in meditation and received instruction in the practice. One member of the group relates, "I felt this afternoon like I was in a temple as we sat meditating in a circle in the long grass that had a clean smell to it with the sound of the stream so soothing. Just to be in the presence of the earth was quieting and as I was meditating I felt very calm."

Others, however, found their visit to the City earthshaking and were moved to do some serious reflection. Cindy Chang, an instructor at East-West notes, "The experience made me aware that we have been taking too many things in life very lightly; the Master chided us for being little children. But I think now is the time for us to look at what we are doing and to make an account of what we want to do with our lives."

      Many members of the group extended their planned Sunday departure to join in the afternoon Avatamsaka Assembly and hear the Venerable Master expound the Dharma. Shown below are members of the assembly at the Sutra lecture.