Offering to the Buddha’s Body: Alms Round
I vividly remember standing on the main street of Boulder Creek waiting for the monks to come by on alms round. Then, from a distance, I saw them: monks, walking in dignified silence. They came from two lineages—three in the ochre robes of the Thai Forest lineage, two in the yellow robes and dark brown precept sashes of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association… I had a reflection: This was a scene from the Buddha’s own time. The Buddha himself walked like this on alms round. This is how the Sangha sustained itself over the millennia.
Connecting to Chan Roots: DM Yanzhen
From March 29 - April 5, 2025, we had the honor of hosting DM Yanzhen. As a college student at Beijing University, he was deeply influenced by the teachings of Venerable Master Xuyun, Elder Master Guangqin, and Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, as well as the bowing journals of Reverend Heng Sure and Dharma Master Heng Chau (Dr. Martin Verhoeven). His final decision for becoming a monk came from reading a line of teaching from Master Hua's Dharma talks. His own teacher, Venerable Master Yicheng, was a disciple of Venerable Master Xuyun and inherited the Weiyang Chan lineage.
Receiving Buddha Shakyamuni’s and Master Xuyun’s Sharira
On November 10, 2024, Madalena Tam, a senior disciple of Master Hua, offered the sharira (relics) of Buddha Shakyamuni and Venerable Master Xuyun to Redwood Vihara.
Madalena’s journey in the Dharma began in Hong Kong when she was very young. At age eleven, she took refuge and made a vow to dedicate her life to supporting Master Hua’s teachings…
Reflections from Monastic Immersion Participants
We just finished a 3-month Monastic Immersion Program (MIP) from December 14, 2024 to March 23, 2025 with four men: Yuen-Lin Tan, Mingchee Tan, Wade Chang, and Art Lozinsky. Below are some reflections from Jin Chuan Shi and Jin Wei Shi as well as excerpts from the participants’ reflections shared during Redwood Vihara Service Day on March 8, 2025.
Mudita House Offering
Mudita House sits at the northern entrance of Redwood Vihara, nestled under majestic redwoods beside the San Lorenzo River. Once home to two beloved artists, the house carries a legacy of creativity, generosity, and community. Its name, Mudita, means “appreciative joy”—the third boundless heart, following loving-kindness and compassion.
On November 10, 2024, we dedicated the space for spiritual practice with a Purifying Boundaries Ceremony.
