Gold Forest Chan Meditation Center

09/01/2026

We were born and raised under the umbrella of protection and care from our parents, yet there is often so little we can truly do to repay them. Ullambana Day gives us a chance to show our appreciation and transfer blessings to our parents with the help of the Buddhas and the Sangha. Last Sunday, we walked into the Buddha Hall with offerings in our hands and care for our parents in our hearts 🪷

08/27/2026

✨We invite you to join us for our annual Emperor Liang Repentance Assembly from Saturday, September 5 to Friday, September 11, 2026 at Gold Forest Chan Meditation Center ✨

梁皇寶懺 | Emperor Liang Repentance is a comprehensive Buddhist ceremony designed from the love of an ancient Chinese emperor wanting to help his beloved wife beyond death.
For over 1,500 years, people have practiced the Emperor Liang Repentance as a way to repent on past mistakes, let go of resentment, ease burdens from the past, and alleviate suffering.

Through sincere reflection, repentance, and dedication of merit, we can feel lighter and renewed, receive the benefits of the practice ourselves, offer its blessings to our loved ones—living and departed—and dedicate them to all beings.

🗓️ Date: from Saturday, September 05
to Friday, September 11, 2026
📍 Location: Gold Forest Chan Meditation Center
796 Delmas Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

✦ Daily Schedule:
• 04:00 AM: Morning Ceremony
• 08:00 AM: Morning Session Begins
• 12:00 PM: Vegetarian Lunch
• 02:00 PM: Afternoon Session Begins
• 06:00 PM: Evening Ceremony
• 07:20 PM: Sutra Lecture

All are welcome—whether you can join us for the full week, a single day, or just a session. Come feel the peaceful energy of this special week with us! 🌿

08/19/2026

Join Us for the Ullambana Assembly This Sunday 🙏✨

Ullambana is a day dedicated to gratitude—a special time to gather and show deep appreciation to our parents and ancestors for raising us, supporting us, and being patient with us. When we give back with true heart and devotion during Ullambana, that positive energy and blessing multiply many times over.

Master YongHua said: "In Buddhism, to be filial to your parents is a basic responsibility of human beings... it comes first, it’s the number one virtue."

Whether you'd like to make an offering, praying for your loved ones, or simply participate in the ceremony, we warmly welcome you and your family to join us this Sunday ✨

🗓 Date: This Sunday, 08/23/2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Gold Forest Chan Meditation Center
796 Delmas Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

08/18/2026

"Meditation is to reduce thoughts, it's not to increase thoughts."

In this video, Master explains how Chan meditation helps us reduce our thinking, catch negative thoughts, and overcome challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression to regain control of our mind.

🎬 You can watch the full video here to learn more: https://youtu.be/lLcl3EqSAaQ?si=y_D8Rjo9I55TLetx

Discover how Chan meditation can transform the way you respond to d...

08/15/2026

YOU DO NOTHING WHATSOEVER; YOU JUST ENDURE

“Those thoughts that arise in your heads—your little heads—did not come from you. Judging others, looking down on others, and thinking you are better than others because you are mentally sick. Therefore, such thoughts can be ignored. Let them arise. Do nothing. It's that simple. Don't act upon them. Think of them as the sound of a dog barking outside. When you walk around here, you might see some dogs start barking at you. It is the exact same thing.

In your particular case, these thoughts of looking down on others and thinking you are better are not you. It's just like a dog barking. Ignore it. You don't have to do anything. Let them bark. You just keep on walking and ignore it. You don't have to do a thing.

Just endure. If the dog barks, there is no need to do anything—that is 無為 (non-action). You just endure it. So part of your training here is to endure and do more, more, and more, and that will create non-action. You don't do anything. You are aware of it, but you don't do anything at all. You do nothing whatsoever; you just endure. You endure the dog barking; you endure the wife moaning and bitching—you just endure. You don't need to do anything; you just take it. “
–Master YongHua
Chan Qi • One Hundred Days of Chan 07/03/2026

▶️ Watch the full teaching here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HigBAu7AdZs
#無為

08/13/2026

We asked the kids to help setting the table for lunch. Ten minutes later, they all disappeared 🏃‍♂️💨 ... but at least the drinks made it to the table! 🥛

08/11/2026

Venerable XianMao is sharing her personal journey of living and practicing in the U.S. for the past five years in a heartwarming blog series.

She writes: "I went to the U.S. to cultivate. I went because my Good Knowing Advisor (the great teacher) was there. I cultivated in the U.S. for five years and have just returned. It was both challenging and, in its own way, meaningful. I am now writing and reflecting on the small, everyday experiences I had there—what I encountered, learned, and struggled with. If my writing can bring even a little comfort or help to someone who has just begun practice or is still in the midst of it, I would be grateful."

✨ You can read her full journey here: https://brunch.co.kr/brunchbook/5yearsinus-eng

08/07/2026

Hot pot day for lunch at the temple! 🍲🥢

After eating, our eyes were shutting from a food coma. But without a word, everyone jumped right in to help with the temple chores. We might be tired, but working together helps us learn to appreciate each other more! With everyone’s help, everything seemed easier and we got things done faster. 🌿

08/06/2026

YOU KEEP ON WORKING BECAUSE YOU ARE NO LONGER WORKING FOR YOURSELF.

"How do we keep working toward Big Enlightenment and not get discouraged, especially since it could take many lifetimes?

You keep on working because you are no longer working for yourself. The only way to show our deepest gratitude to our teachers, to the Buddhas, and to all the Bodhisattvas who have done so much to help us get where we are today is by stepping up to help them. We show our gratitude by propagating the Buddhadharma, making it readily available, and striving to benefit countless others rather than just ourselves. That is the true spirit of Mahayana: you must stop thinking of yourself.

If you only think of yourself, you will naturally become tired, discouraged, and depressed. We must always remember that the best way to repay the kindness of the Buddhas and Patriarchs is to help make these precious teachings accessible to more people. You get discouraged and impatient only because you are still doing it for yourself. If you only think of yourself, you will never find true happiness."

–Master YongHua
Chan Qi • One Hundred Days of Chan 07/01/2026

▶️ Watch the full teaching here: https://www.youtube.com/live/M4SgEhlwqO8?si=a4eASiJSulyWtaun&t=2206