This dharma talk by Guo Gu on Chan master Hongzhi’s instructions and the Fourfold Non-obstructions in Huayan Buddhism was given during the Tallahassee Chan Center’s 2026 residency program.

The foundation of Chan (Zen) Buddhism was several major Buddhist schools, including Tiantai and Huayan Buddhism. After centuries in East Asia, these Buddhist schools culminated into Chan Buddhism with its distinct and direct methods of practice. It is the vision of Master Shengyen and a mission of the Tallahassee Chan Center to infuse the richness of these foundational Buddhist thoughts and practices to the current transmission of Chan Buddhism to the West.

"The Tallahassee Chan Center has always functioned as a dharma center and that is a little different than building a community of Chan practitioners."

-Guo GuTo carry forward the vision of his teacher, Master Sheng Yen, Guo Gu speaks about his lifelong aspiration to bridge the rich tradition of Chan Buddhism and the West. In this second talk on that mission, he describes how that bridge will take shape and how it might function.

“If a family unit were to adopt these 6 Harmonies, that family would become strong and flourish.” -Guo Gu

What makes monasteries, sangha, communities, and even large organizations truly strong? Their strength comes from living in accordance with the Six Harmonious Principles of body, speech, mind, precepts, views, and benefit. In tonight’s talk, Guo Gu explores each of these principles and shows how they support a community in which everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Join us on Mondays from 6:30-8:00PM Eastern.

More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events

In response to the suffering experienced by our Dharma brothers and sisters, as well as the wider world, the Tallahassee Chan Center will be hosting Loving-Kindness Meditation sessions on the first and third Monday of the coming months, offered both in person and via Zoom.

Guo Gu will teach and guide the practice, which will include a recitation of the names submitted by our sangha.

More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events.

"The transfer of merit requires that we let go of our self-referentiality."

-Guo Gu

In his final talk on the Depths of the Chan Liturgy, Guo Gu reflects on the practice of transferring merit. The basis of this practice is the Mahayana teaching of interconnectedness and self-less compassion.

Thus,

We prayFor the flourishing of Buddhadharma – Buddhism has no “othering” in its teachings and recognizes and validates all traditions – which will lead to

Peace in the world – which will lead to

The joy and contentment of all people – which will lead to

The freedom and ease of body and mind – which will lead to

Departing from suffering – which will lead to

The vows of the donors being fulfilled.

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he concludes his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events.

I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.
I vow to cut off endless vexations.
I vow to master limitless approaches to dharma.
I vow to attain supreme Buddhahood.

"The Three Gates of Liberation – emptiness, formlessness and non-contrivance – are essential for true liberation. Without them spiritual practice becomes merely an attempt to be a nice person.” — Guo Gu

Through emptiness we learn how to relate to things; by practicing formlessness we don’t make them into a “thing;” and non-contrivance means to focus on intention. Engaging with the world through these 3 gates allows us to relate to others more fluidly, without imposing our own conceptual “containers” on them. The real measure of practice is flexibility: minimal clinging, openness to new experiences, ongoing learning, and sustaining a sense of wonder.

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.

I vow to cut off endless vexations.

I vow to master limitless approaches to dharma.

I vow to attain supreme Buddhahood.

"The locus of all sentient beings is not outside; it’s in our minds.” - Guo Gu

In tonight's Guo Gu talk parses out the language of the Four Great vows, showing how they are actually meant work.

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

The Four Great Vows.

I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.

I vow to cut off endless vexations.

I vow to master limitless approaches to dharma.

I vow to attain supreme Buddhahood.

“The practice of emptiness is the practice of seeing things and engaging with everyone through the lens of possibilities. Everything and everyone is workable.” Guo Gu

In this evening’s talk, Guo Gu presents Chapter 7 of the Vimalakirti Sutra, which discusses the concept of the bodhisattva’s compassion. Compassion is described not as sentimental pity, but as an activity associated with awakened wisdom—characterized by being limitless, impartial, and unaffected by craving or fear. It is said to be rooted in emptiness and is intended to respond appropriately to suffering without exhaustion or self-reference.

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

Join us on Mondays from 6:30-8:00PM Eastern. Click here for the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88987548741...

More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events.

I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.

I vow to cut off endless vexations.

I vow to master limitless approaches to dharma.

I vow to attain supreme Buddhahood.

"In order to become a Bodhisattva your vow is to interact with all kinds of people, and we all know how difficult it is to relate to people.”

-Guo Gu

In Part Three of his teachings on the Four Great Vows of the Bodhisattva Path, Guo Gu explores the second group of the Fifteen Minds—loving-kindness, compassion, great joy, and equanimity—grounding them in the teaching of emptiness. He clearly lays out the causes and conditions behind our present state of individual and collective exhaustion.

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

Join us on Mondays from 6:30-8:00PM Eastern.

Click here for the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88987548741...

More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events.

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Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.

I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.

I vow to cut off endless vexations.

I vow to master limitless approaches to dharma.

I vow to attain supreme Buddhahood.

"The Four Great Vows are intimately connected to the 15 Minds, without which it would be very difficult to practice or understand the Bodhisattva path.” Guo Gu

In Part 2 of his teaching on the Four Great Vows of the Bodhisattva Path, Guo Gu delves deeper into the wisdom of the Fifteen Minds, continuing his focus on the first four—generosity, kind speech, supportive action, and community building—as practices for cultivating relationships with others.

On the first and third Monday of each month, Guo Gu offers teachings on the practice of Chan Buddhism. In this session, he continues his series on the Chan Liturgy—exploring the chants, prayers, and offerings that are integral to our practice.

Join us on Mondays from 6:30-8:00PM Eastern.

Click here for the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88987548741...

More information can be found at: https://tallahassee.chan.org/events.