What we’re about
Universal Chan International Zen Buddhist Center is a donation-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Buddhist meditation group based on the Chinese Zen Tradition, founded by the Chan Monk Da Xing Fashi.
हम बुद्ध के ज्ञान में मूल रूप से बसे हुए हैं और हम उससे विच्युत नहीं होते।
Your generosity will help us to continue to serve humanity. Examples of donations: Money, stocks, property, piece of land, very good condition vehicles, property/land to use for free. You may send monetary donations through https://donorbox.org/universalchan or paypal.me/universalchan. For more information, please visit https://www.universalchan.org/support-us
Offering donation-based Chan (Zen) meditation, Dharma talks, retreats, tea tastings, and more with emphasis on practice in daily life.
Dharma talk (English and Chinese languages) and Chan meditation classes every Monday and Thursday 7–9 p.m.
445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707
https://www.universalchan.org/
About Us:
Universal Chan is a donation-based 501(c)(3) international Buddhist non-profit organization derived from the Chinese Chan (Chinese ‘禪’, Japanese ‘Zen’) Tradition, founded by the Chan Monk Da Xing. It operates mainly in Asia, Europe, and the USA, but we are open to be active in other countries as well. Compared to Asian countries where Buddhism is a prevalent religion, the USA has only been exposed to Buddhism for less than a century. Many active Buddhist schools across the USA are of Hinayana, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Chan, Japanese Zen, and doctrinal studies. All these traditions come from different countries and consequently reflect cultural influences and inflections specific to their place of origin. Although Chinese Chan Tradition is present, we hope we can give our contribution to spread this wonderful teaching. It is a great pity that the vast majority of westerners have not been exposed to Chinese Chan, and even fewer people are able to use Chan Buddhism to improve their lives.
The goal of the organization and of its affiliations is to spread the Chan Teachings to deeply benefit those interested in learning the teachings of the Buddha.
In doing this, we use a modern approach rooted in ancient tradition to expose people to other aspects of ancient Chinese culture connected to this teaching.
हम बुद्ध के ज्ञान में मूल रूप से बसे हुए हैं और हम उससे विच्युत नहीं होते।
“यूनिवर्सल चान" चीन और भारत के आध्यात्मिक परम्पराओं पर आधारित है। चान को भारत से चीन अट्ठाईसवे भारतीय पितृ बोधिधर्म द्वारा लाया गया था। यह मन से मन के संचरण तथा जीवित प्राणियों के मन के सार पर ही केंद्रित है, ना कि शब्दों या सिद्धांतों पर, ताकि सभी सीधे बुद्ध बन सकें। "यूनिवर्सल चान" की बीज और जड़ें भारत में ही हैं। उसही सार को बरकरार रखते हुए चीन मैं उसके विकास, संचालन और पोषण से "एक विशेष स्वाद" की उत्पत्ति हुई, जो "चान" है। यहाँ अमेरिका में भी हम वही तरीके से विभिन्न परिवेश के अनुकूल अपने को ढलते हुए आगे बढ़ रहे हैं।"चान" सभी बुद्धों और सभी जीवों की आत्मा है। हम पहले से ही बुद्ध हैं, परंतु हम सो रहे हैं, केवल जागने की आवश्यकता है। बस यहीं जनाना है ।
Upcoming events
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Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Practice (Retreat)
Retreat Site, Inspiration Drive East, Pioneer, CA, USATTENTION: THIS POST IS PURELY INFORMATIONAL.
RSVPing here on Meetup for this Retreat does NOT mean you have been accepted into this Retreat nor have been guaranteed/granted a spot in this Retreat.
ACCEPTANCE INTO THIS RETREAT IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Please apply at https://form.jotform.com/universalchan/retreat by filling out this form completely and submitting your application.
You can also view our Retreat page at chanretreat.eventbrite.com
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Universal Chan International 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will be holding a Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Practice (meditation retreat).Silent Illumination and Investigation. Sitting meditation, hiking meditation, exercise meditation, Dharma talks, and tea.
Site: Pioneer, California
Dates: October 19 to October 25, 2025
Starts: 4:30pm (10/19) Ends: 10am (10/25)Help yourself and others with the Dharma. Join us and take advantage of this great opportunity!
All practitioners are welcome as long as they have had some experience in meditation practice.
Dedicate some time to yourself to smoothly travel on the path of wisdom, compassion, and happiness. Don’t waste your life in vain—learn how to use your inherent wisdom and function accordingly.
Chan practice isn’t solely sitting meditation, but also learning how to use Chan principles in all situations. It is very important to receive instructions from a qualified teacher who will help you practice smoothly and solve your doubts. In this retreat, you will learn proper methods of Chan practice and be guided to apply the methods and principles in various activities including drinking tea, walking in nature, easy exercises, and light chores.
As long as you sincerely want to learn, do your best, and meet the conditions specified in the application form, you can participate and make good use of this timeless teaching. We hope to meet you on this retreat.
This retreat will include indoor and outdoor practice and different meditation activities.
Space is limited—early bird gets the worm! So please apply as soon as possible.
Participants need to fill out our Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Practice (Oct. 19–25, 2025) Application Form in order to be considered for admittance into this retreat.
Sliding Scale Retreat Fee
Base: $490
Dharma Protector: $980
Generous Dharma Hero: $1600Please note: No matter how much you pay, all participants will receive the same meals and accommodations.
It includes: Lodging, 3 daily vegan meals, premium teas, and Chan teachings from a qualified Master.
Transportation is NOT included.
Note: Participants will not have a private room.
From about 1 month prior to the retreat, we will let you know what you need to bring to the retreat.
Acceptance into this retreat is by application only.
Application Deadline: September 19, 2025 by 11:59pm
In order to apply to be considered for a spot in this retreat, please do the following:
1. Go to https://form.jotform.com/universalchan/retreat, fill out the "Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Practice (Oct. 19–25, 2025) Application Form" completely, and submit your application.(If you are having trouble filling out this form, please email us at info@universalchan.org to let us know so that we can help.)
We will review your application and then email you back to let you know whether you have been accepted into this retreat.
Please note: Your spot in this retreat is not confirmed until you have paid the retreat fee.
If your application has been accepted, the final step of the reservation process is to:
1. Pay the retreat fee when you register for the retreat on our Eventbrite page.Note: We will email you a unique Access Code to enter in order to access the checkout page to make your retreat fee payment and secure your spot in this retreat. Please do not share your unique Access Code with anyone else; this code is a one-time code for your use only.
We will remind you about these steps in the email notification of your acceptance to this retreat.After paying the retreat fee on our Eventbrite page, you will be officially registered as a Retreat Participant and will have reserved your spot for this retreat.
There are no refunds after you have paid and registered for this retreat. If you do decide to cancel your registration and reserved spot, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make the proper arrangements ahead of time.
Please email us at info@universalchan.org if you have any questions.
Looking forward to doing Chan Practice with you all!
All the best,
Universal Chan1 attendee
Awaken to Buddha Mind! Monday Night Dharma Talk & Meditation—In-person & Zoom
Universal Chan: International Zen Buddhist Center, 445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA, USEvery Monday evening from 7pm–9pm we have Dharma talk & Meditation Class led by Master Daxing. These Chan (Zen) meditation classes are held in-person at Universal Chan Zen Center located at 445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707 and on Zoom simultaneously. You have the option of attending class either in-person or on Zoom.
Before joining our first class, please do the following:
1. Sign our Universal Chan Waiver: app.hellosign.com/s/Is7L3vLp
For our Zoom participants:
To receive the Zoom link and password, please checkout a ticket on Eventbrite at mondaymeditationclass.eventbrite.com. Once you have checked out a ticket, you will receive a confirmation message and email with the Zoom link and password to this class.
Please remember to:
1. Keep your video/webcam on during class so that everyone can see each other's faces.
2. Have your microphone muted unless you need to unmute to make comments or ask questions.
If you haven't downloaded Zoom yet, please do so now by going here: https://zoom.us/download
Zoom is available on computer, mobile phone, and tablet.
We also recommend that you create a Zoom account if you haven't already.
All our classes, events, and activities are donation-based. Your generosity will help us to continue to serve humanity.
With that being said, Dharma talks and Meditation Classes are free of charge. But if you'd still wish to make a donation, then we'd really appreciate it, and you may do so through paypal.me/universalchan, donorbox.org/universalchan, or Venmo (our Venmo Charity Profile is venmo.com/universalchan aka @universalchan). There is also a donation box at our Zen Center for cash or check donations. Your donations are tax-deductible. Thank you.
At Universal Chan we do a wide variety of activities ranging from those more commonly practiced in many Buddhist centers, such as sitting meditation, to lesser known methods such as exercise and walking Chan. We typically start with a short service, and then proceed to Dharma talk. After Dharma talk, we will have some time left for some sitting meditation.
Please email info@universalchan.org if you have any questions.
Looking forward to seeing you for Dharma talk and Meditation Class!
1 attendee
Awaken to Buddha Mind! Thursday Night Chan (Zen) Meditation—In-person & Zoom
Universal Chan: International Zen Buddhist Center, 445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA, USEvery Thursday evening from 7pm–9pm we have Meditation Class led by Master Daxing. These Chan (Zen) meditation classes are held in-person at Universal Chan Zen Center located at 445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707 and on Zoom simultaneously. You have the option of attending class either in-person or on Zoom.
Before joining our first class, please do the following:
1. Sign our Universal Chan Waiver: app.hellosign.com/s/Is7L3vLp
For our Zoom participants:
To receive the Zoom link and password, please checkout a ticket on Eventbrite at thursdaymeditationclass.eventbrite.com. Once you have checked out a ticket, you will receive a confirmation message and email with the Zoom link and password to this class.Please remember to:
1. Keep your video/webcam on during class so that everyone can see each other's faces.
2. Have your microphone muted unless you need to unmute to make comments or ask questions.If you haven't downloaded Zoom yet, please do so now by going here: https://zoom.us/download
Zoom is available on computer, mobile phone, and tablet.
We also recommend that you create a Zoom account if you haven't already.
All our classes, events, and activities are donation-based. Your generosity will help us to continue to serve humanity.
With that being said, Dharma talks and Meditation Classes are free of charge. But if you'd still wish to make a donation, then we'd really appreciate it, and you may do so through paypal.me/universalchan, donorbox.org/universalchan, or Venmo (our Venmo Charity Profile is venmo.com/universalchan aka @universalchan). There is also a donation box at our Zen Center for cash or check donations. Your donations are tax-deductible. Thank you.
At Universal Chan we do a wide variety of activities ranging from those more commonly practiced in many Buddhist centers, such as sitting meditation, to lesser known methods such as exercise and walking Chan. We typically start with a short service, and then proceed to meditation. During class, we may alternate between different meditation activities, such as practicing 20 min of sitting meditation, 10 min of walking meditation, and then 15 min of exercise meditation.
Please email info@universalchan.org if you have any questions.
Looking forward to seeing you in our meditation classes!
1 attendee- $18.00
Tea Chan (Meditative Tea Tasting)—Berkeley, CA
Universal Chan: International Zen Buddhist Center, 445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA, USHigh-quality tea tasting of 5 premium teas from throughout mainland China and Taiwan, served in the style of a gongfu tea ceremony. These are not simply regular tea tastings—these are Tea Chans. We start with a short meditation sit and continue drinking tea with Chan wisdom. Come explore the world of tea with the Universal Chan Tea Club!
How to RSVP for a Tea Tasting Event
Please complete the following steps:
1. Sign our Universal Chan Waiver: app.hellosign.com/s/Is7L3vLp
2. Click "Attend" here on Meetup to RSVP and make your donation. There is a minimum donation requirement of $18 per person, per event. Thank you.Reminders:
1. As a respect to others, please be on time.
2. Please dress suitably for you to sit on the floor comfortably.
3. Please avoid wearing perfume or cosmetics with a strong fragrance, which may affect your or other people’s appreciating the delicate aromas of the fine teas.
4. Please avoid eating meat; sweets; onion; garlic; tomatoey, spicy, and strongly-flavored foods; and drinking coffee before this event—it will affect the tea tasting experience and make it harder for you to taste and detect the fine, delicate, subtle flavors of each tea.1 attendee
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