The Abbot

Leader Chan Monk Da Xing Fa Shi

Da Xing Fa Shi *was born and raised in Genoa, Italy, in a typical Catholic family. From a young age Da Xing Fa Shi started to learn Chinese martial arts and Qi Gong and was trained to become Shifu (Master) of the sixth generation from the founder of the Yang Style Tai Ji Quan. Years later, Da Xing became accomplished in Asian and Western martial arts. For many years, he was the owner and the leading teacher of a martial arts studio in Genoa.

While training in martial arts around the world, he had the opportunity to encounter Buddhist teachings, and soon decided to further investigate Buddhism. In fact, Da Xing Fa Shi started his studies, took refuge, and received the Five Precepts under Venerable Master Tae Hye Sunim. He continued his learning throughout Asia and the United States, where he attended several intensive Chan retreats under the guidance of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, and other rigorous retreats at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Northern California, founded by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua. He spent significant amounts of time at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, where he lived with the Abbot Venerable Heng Sure. During these years, he also led solo retreats of various durations.

In April 2005, after becoming a novice monk in Taiwan under the guidance of Venerable Master Sen Guang, Da Xing Fa Shi received the full Mahayana monastic ordination under the supervision of Venerable Master Wei Chueh at Chung Tai Chan Si Monastery in Central Taiwan.

In 2011, Da Xing Fa Shi had the great opportunity to meet his current teacher, Chan Master Guo Ru, who is the great disciple of Master Sheng Yen carrying on the Chinese Chan Teaching. From that time on, he has continued to follow Master Guo Ru’s guidance.

Da Xing Fashi received transmission from Master Guo Ru later on. Now he travels to different countries conducting retreats and workshops to propagate Chinese Chan to anyone interested in learning Buddhism.

Moreover, Da Xing loves Chinese Tea Culture, and started to teach a method of meditation involving tasting tea: Tea Chan; but often for convenience we call this Meditation with Tea. He also lectures on Chan poems that are rich in profound Chan principles.

Da Xing Fa Shi is fluent in speaking Italian, English, and Chinese.