Blessing Dharma Assembly Series: The Benevolence Temple Holds Learning Sessions of the Dharma Discourses of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Reposted from TheAmericanNews January 17, 2026
Photo Courtesy: The Benevolence Temple (The “One-Day Zen” group practice Dharma Assembly attracted more than one hundred participants from all over the world.)
By: Marcela Viveros
“One-Day Zen” Brings the Joy of Meditation
From January 4 to January 13, Benevolence Temple in Las Vegas held the event “Blessing Dharma Assembly Series for Respectfully Listening to Dharma Discourses expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Celebrating the Holy Birthday of Amitabha Buddha.”
The Dharma Assembly respectfully invited Venerable Zhengda Shi, the Vice President of the World Buddhism Association Headquarters, to preside over the ceremonies. Eminent monks, distinguished guests, and devoted believers from across the United States, Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions around the world gathered to participate in this event.
Photo Courtesy: The Benevolence Temple (A session of seated meditation.)
During the Blessing Dharma Assembly, at the request of the attendees, Venerable Zhengda Shi conducted a “One-Day Zen” group practice on Sunday, January 11. In accordance with Announcement No. 40 issued by the Office of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, Venerable Zhengda led the monastics and lay followers in setting up and purifying the altar as well as making offerings. Participants studied and practiced Buddhist meditation based on “The Great Dharma of Zen Practice” transmitted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. The practice included a total of 10 incense sessions of walking meditation and seated meditation.
Photo Courtesy: The Benevolence Temple (A session of walking meditation.)
The “One-Day Zen” retreat took place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on January 11. Participants reported experiencing profound benefits by following the practices of chanting mantras, counting the breath, and gathering the mind with focused awareness.
A bhikkhu abbot from a renowned Zen monastery shared: “Although I have practiced meditation for many years, it does not compare to the benefit of practicing H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Great Dharma of Zen Practice for just one day in the ‘One-Day Zen.’” Its wondrous benefit is something one can only experience personally, much like tasting water to know its temperature.”
An American lama stated in an interview that he had been studying at Benevolence Temple for the previous eight days. Joining the “One-Day Zen” retreat allowed him to calm his mind, and he found it to be a very valuable experience to practice with all the people together. He further shared his meditation experience:
“I feel that the Great Dharma of Zen Practice, the Tathagata’s true Dharma, is a very effective Dharma practice for us to let go of attachment. When I let go of attachment, I feel much calmer and grounded.”
An attendee from New York stated that through the “One-Day Zen,” he gained a deeper experience with walking meditation and seated meditation. He realized that meditation must be grounded in strong determination and a high degree of concentration. During seated meditation, he worked on facing physical discomfort and letting go of attachment to pain. He noted that by the third incense session, he entered a state during the breath-counting meditation where he felt more at ease in both body and mind. He expressed deep gratitude for the guidance provided by Benevolence Temple.
Another participant from Taiwan shared that through her meditation experience, she realized that seated meditation was not as difficult as she had imagined, and that time passed calmly while maintaining focused practice. She felt the learning opportunity was rare and special, and hoped that more people would come to Benevolence Temple to explore the benefits of meditation.
This “One-Day Zen” group practice Dharma Assembly attracted more than one hundred participants. Attendees enthusiastically shared their experiences and reflections after the event. Many participants reported strengthening their concentration and harmonizing body and mind—some overcame physical discomfort, while others felt relaxed and at ease in body and mind. The event concluded successfully, with the attendees expressing joy and personally experiencing the positive effects of the “One-Day Zen.”