What’s New?

Awaken to Buddha Mind! Tuesday Night Chan Meditation
Every Tuesday
7pm–9pm

RSVP Now

Universal Chan International Buddhist Center is a donation-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your generosity will help us to continue to serve humanity.
Examples of donations: Money, property, piece of land, very good condition vehicles, property/land to use for free.

हम बुद्ध के ज्ञान में मूल रूप से बसे हुए हैं और हम उससे विच्युत नहीं होते।

Retreats & Events Gallery
Universal Chan's Garden Is Growing

Universal Chan’s garden keeps growing. Roses, daisies, echinaceas, lilies, and plenty more flowers.

Universal Chan Garden

Universal Chan Garden

Click the flower to see more pictures.

Ben's Woodworking Masterpieces

Now Accepting Woodworking Commissions

Go to “Featured Works” to see some of Ben’s woodworking masterpieces and submit an inquiry if you are sincerely interested in having him do some refined woodwork for you.

Satisfied

十方祖師禪國際贈一段禪詩 ：

滿足

浮雲富貴

奈吾何 隨分

生涯亦自佳

但不愁來何必酒

心無阻礙時  

那一定是我家

永續祖師禪

Universal Chan International Zen offers this short Chan Poem:

Satisfied

Fleeting clouds, wealth and fame,

Have nothing to do with us.

My situation is also perfect.

When no worries arise no need wine,

The mind unhindered, that’s my real home.  

Ongoing Chan

Tea Chan at San Carlos Adult Community Center

Tea Chan at San Carlos Adult Community Center

5-Day Chan in Italy (6/1–6/5, 2023)

5-Day Chan in Italy

In the middle of gorgeous hills in north of Italy few sincere practitioners….

十方祖師禪國際
義大利禪5
永續祖師禪
在一個華麗義大利農村區一些老實修行人….

Winter 7-Day Chan (1/23–1/29, 2023) and Winter 3-Day Chan (1/30–2/1, 2023) at Chan Grove Temple in Taipei, Taiwan

Gallery pictures of our Winter 7-Day Chan (1/23–1/29, 2023) and Winter 3-Day Chan (1/30–2/1, 2023) at Chan Grove Temple in Taipei, Taiwan.

A message for Attendant Kuan

送寬侍者

一衲隨身冬夏過

一條烏杖辨西東

其中深志誰能識

穿耳胡僧暗自通

A message for Attendant Kuan.

Winter and summer in a single patched robe,
East from West distinguished through the cane.
Anyone can grasp the deep meaning?
The monk with the earlobes pierced and the beard disclosed!

IMG_6031.JPG

注意。

雖然據說佛陀進入涅槃，

佛陀還在這兒懶惰的閒逛。

煩惱網像真實很茂密的森林。

但其實那是一條光明安全的路。

佛陀說這世界是著火的房子。

但總是吹來一陣清新的風。

今晚太陽忙著繪出美麗的天色。

沙門 大行

Be Aware.

Although is said the Buddha entered Ultimate Nirvana,

He’s still here idly wandering around.

Although the afflictions net seems real and as dense as a tropical jungle,

That’s actually a safe bright path.

Although the Buddha said the world is a house on fire,

A fresh breeze constantly gusts.

Tonight the sun has been busy with painting the horizon!

Shramana Daxing

Showing Freedom

贈一段禪詩。

示自閑

終日靑山在白雲

白雲終日在靑山

山不顧雲雲戀山

山與白雲俱自閑

我們呢。

Showing freedom

All day long the green mountains with the clouds,

White clouds all day long with the mountains.

Yet mountains never attach to the white clouds,

So ultimately mountains and white clouds both at ease.

What about us?

For Great Master Yuan Che

為真誠佛教信徒贈一段禪詩：

圓徹大師

一徹祖師關
不疑三世佛
黃梅半夜信
可笑是何物
圓徹萬重雲
永爲曺溪嫡
大 笑臥空山
月中松子落

Here an offering to all true Dharma listeners.

For Great Master Yuan Che

Once penetrated through the Patriarchs’ barrier,
Then no doubts will remain about the Buddhas of the Three Time Periods.
That Huang Mei midnight Transmission,
What a ridiculous thing that was!
Having completely penetrated through countless clouds,
He’ll be eternally an authentic Cao XI propagator.
Loudly laughing, he lies in the empty mountain,
Where at mid month pine nuts drop.

Tea Chan
Every other Sunday
2pm–4pm

RSVP Now


Past Retreats

6-Day Chan Retreat MAR 27–APR 1, 2023 Pictures

4-Day Chan Retreat Aug 18–Aug 21, 2022 Pictures

Tai Chi and Qigong Classes
For people who are interested in taking our tai chi classes and/or qigong classes, please contact our tai chi and qigong teacher Vanessa Sequeira-Garza at +1 (814) 404-0555 to get information about the class schedule and how to join the class. Note: Classes are subject to change. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Class Schedule

Sitting in silence, all the entanglements dissolve, yet a huge bright moon constantly shines! Guided by our inherent wisdom we safely walk the path! Expanding our practice to our daily activities we are always serene and happy. How wonderful! Come join us! Our Center is donation-based. Help us continue to serve the community!

Monday evenings 7pm - 9pm: Dharma Talk + Chan Meditation (Explanation of the important principles to practice)
Tuesday evenings 7pm - 9pm: Chan Sitting, Walking, Exercising, Drinking Tea + Mind Body Relaxation Reset
Wednesday evenings 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Yoga Class
Thursday evenings 7pm - 9pm: Chan Sitting, Walking, and Exercising
Sunday afternoons 2pm - 4pm (biweekly): Tea Chan


Dharma Talk and Chan Meditation Classes
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 7pm-9pm (Kensington/Berkeley). Class is available in person and online via Zoom (except the Tuesday classes, which are held only in person and not on Zoom). Buddhist service, Dharma talk, explanation of the important principles to practice, and different Chan meditation activities such as sitting meditation, exercise meditation, walking meditation, bowing meditation, and/or chanting meditation. Sign up here: mondaymeditationclass.eventbrite.com, tuesdaymeditationclass.eventbrite.com, and thursdaymeditationclass.eventbrite.com

Yoga Class
Every Wednesday 5:30pm-6:30pm. Come join us for a gentle vinyasa yoga class. This class is perfect for beginners and those looking to strengthen their basic asana practice. Please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle.

Universal Chan Tea Club
Every other Sunday 2pm–4pm. Gongfu tea tasting of premium high-quality whole leaf teas at Universal Chan Center. These are not simply regular tea tastings—these are Tea Chans (禪). We start with a short meditation sit and continue drinking tea using Chan (禪) wisdom. Open to everyone. RSVP here: teaclub.eventbrite.com

Calendar

Gallery

吉祥中秋節 月餅跟岩茶:最好的中秋節。🙏🏻 Auspicious Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes and Rock Tea: The Best Mid-Autumn Festival. 🙏🏻 . . . . . #sfbayarea #berkeley #bayarea #kensingtonca #eastbay #berkeleyca #universalchan #colusacircle #midautumnfestival2025 #midautumn #midautumnfestival #midautumnfestival🌕 #mooncake #mooncakes #mooncakeseason #mooncakefestival #moonfestival #moonfestival2025 #mooncakefestival2025 #mooncakefestival2025🥮 #veganmooncake #veganmooncakes #mooncakesandtea #teaandmooncake #teaandmooncakes #teaandmooncakepairing #mooncakeandtea #contracostacounty #albanyca #alamedaca
Come join our new class series: Empowering Chan! This weekly class will include Dharma, Drinking Tea, Sitting, Walking, and Exercising Chan (meditation). All experience levels are welcome. Location: Universal Chan Zen Center (445 Colusa Ave, Kensi
Come join our new class series: Empowering Chan! This weekly class will include Dharma, Drinking Tea, Sitting, Walking, and Exercising Chan (meditation). All experience levels are welcome. Location: Universal Chan Zen Center (445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707) Schedule: Every Tuesday, 6:30pm–8:30pm Link in bio or go to echan.eventbrite.com . . . . . #universalchan #colusacircle #berkeley #berkeleyca #kensingtonca #alameda #alamedacounty #sfbayarea #bayarea #sanfrancisco #elsobrante #elsobranteca #buddha #dharma #sangha #chantemple #zentemple #buddhisttemple #zenbuddhism #chanbuddhism #huatou #mozhao #silentillumination #awakening #spiritualawakening #enlightenment #ksana #meditation #zenmeditation #channmeditation
Tea Chan at Universal Chan International Zen Buddhist Center Meditative Tea Tasting with high-quality whole leaf teas from mainland China and Taiwan, served in Chinese gongfu cha style. Tea Chan is every other Sunday 2pm–4pm Address: 445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707 RSVP at link in bio or teaclub.eventbrite.com . . . . . #universalchan #teachan #berkeley #berkeleyca #sfbayarea #sanfrancisco #elcerritoca #gongfucha #gongfutea #teameditation #chanmeditation #zenmeditation #chanbuddhism #zenbuddhism #dharma #sangha #contracostacounty #alamedacounty #albanyca #kensingtonca #510areacode
September 7, 2025, Tea Chan We tried seven distinctively flavorful, complex teas that took us through a wide landscape of aromatic notes, mouthfeel, and cha qi. Don’t miss the chance to taste our brand new premium teas this Sunday, Sept. 21,
September 7, 2025, Tea Chan We tried seven distinctively flavorful, complex teas that took us through a wide landscape of aromatic notes, mouthfeel, and cha qi. Don’t miss the chance to taste our brand new premium teas this Sunday, Sept. 21, only at Universal Chan. Tea Chan happens every other Sunday 2pm–4pm. RSVP at link in bio or teaclub.eventbrite.com . . . . . #teaclub #ucteaclub #gongfu #cha #gongfutea #gongfuteaceremony #chineseteaceremony #chineseteaculture #teaceremony #chinesetea #chineseteas #tea #teatime #tealife #tealovers #tealoversofinstagram #teaconnoisseur #tealoversunite #tealoversclub #tealife #afternoontea #teaparty #berkeley #bayarea #sfbayarea #teachan #teazen #universalchan #kensingtonca #colusacircle #albanyca
Universal Chan’s garden keeps growing. If you walk by on the street, the next day there is already a new set of freshly planted flowers. Flowers as plentiful and diverse as the inhabitants of the Bay. And if you use prajñā (wisdom), you&
Universal Chan’s garden keeps growing. If you walk by on the street, the next day there is already a new set of freshly planted flowers. Flowers as plentiful and diverse as the inhabitants of the Bay. And if you use prajñā (wisdom), you’ll see that each flower is already a completely different flower in the next moment, and the next new moment, and the next… . . . . . #universalchan #universalchangarden #flowerlover #flowergram #flowergarden #flowerofinstagram #bayareaplantaddicts #houseofplantlovers #plantofinstagram #plantoftheday #plantmakepeoplehappy #bayareaplantpeople #bayareaplantcommunity #bayareaplants #bayareaplantsquad #bayareaplantlover #bayareaplantparent #begonia #shastadaisy #gerberadaisy #hydrangeaflower #crepemyrtle #roses #donjuanrose #altissimorose #echinacea #rudbeckia #blackeyedsusans #echibeckia #coneflower
We have a Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Retreat coming up in Pioneer, CA, where we will teach both the Silent illumination method and the Investigation method in order to best match each individual’s needs. We will do different meditation activities, such as sitting meditation, hiking meditation, exercise meditation, Dharma talks, and tea. Practice will be indoors and outdoors. Dates: October 19–25, 2025 Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as you can if you want to be considered for a spot in this Retreat. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and come participate with us. Apply now at link in bio Or also chanretreat.eventbrite.com (The pictures shown here are of our 7-Day Chan Retreat last year from November 2–8, 2024, in Cambria, CA. This year we will be doing our Retreat at another location—Pioneer, CA.) . . . . . #universalchan #buddhadharma #enlightenment #awakening #chanbuddhism #meditationretreat #sfbayarea
Come join us for Chan Practice Sundays 8am–11am Sitting, Outdoor Walking, Exercising, and Drinking Tea Chan (Meditation). There may also be some Bowing and Chanting Chan. Location: Universal Chan Zen Center (445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94
Come join us for Chan Practice Sundays 8am–11am Sitting, Outdoor Walking, Exercising, and Drinking Tea Chan (Meditation). There may also be some Bowing and Chanting Chan. Location: Universal Chan Zen Center (445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94707) Schedule: Every other Sunday, 8am–11am Donations are welcome. Link in bio. . . . . . #chanpractice #universalchan #sittingchan #sittingmeditation #silentsitting #silentmeditation #chanmeditation #zenmeditation #guidedmeditation #weekendmeditation #sundaymeditation #zenpractice #zentemple #chantemple #meditationretreat #chanretreat #zenretreat #silentretreat #silentmeditationretreat #huatou #mozhao #silentillumination #berkeleyca #eastbayca #eastbaycalifornia #eastbaycali #bayarea #sfbayarea #elcerritoca #elsobranteca
We have a Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Retreat coming up in Pioneer, CA, where we will teach both the Silent illumination method and the Investigation method in order to best match each individual’s needs. We will do different meditation activiti
We have a Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Retreat coming up in Pioneer, CA, where we will teach both the Silent illumination method and the Investigation method in order to best match each individual’s needs. We will do different meditation activities, such as sitting meditation, hiking meditation, exercise meditation, Dharma talks, and tea. Practice will be indoors and outdoors. Dates: October 19–25, 2025 Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as you can if you want to be considered for a spot in this Retreat. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and come participate with us. Apply now at link in bio Or also chanretreat.eventbrite.com (The pictures shown here are of our 7-Day Chan Retreat last year from November 2–8, 2024, in Cambria, CA. This year we will be doing our Retreat at another location—Pioneer, CA.) . . . . . #chanretreat #chanpractice #zenretreat #zenretreats #silentretreat #meditationretreat #silentillumination #silentilluminationmeditation #huatou #huatoumeditation #pioneerca #chanmaster #zenmaster #chanlineage #linji #linjichan #caodong #caodong #chanpatriarchs #zenbuddhist #chantemple #zentemple #sfbayarea #bayarea #norcal #northerncalifornia #amadorcounty #amadorcountyca #eastbayarea #eastbay #contracostacounty
吉祥中秋節 月餅跟岩茶:最好的中秋節。🙏🏻 Auspicious Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes and Rock Tea: The Best Mid-Autumn Festival. 🙏🏻 . . . . . #sfbayarea #berkeley #bayarea #kensingtonca #eastbay #berkeleyca #universalchan #colusacircle #midautumnfestival2025 #midaut
Come join our new class series: Empowering Chan! This weekly class will include Dharma, Drinking Tea, Sitting, Walking, and Exercising Chan (meditation). All experience levels are welcome. Location: Universal Chan Zen Center (445 Colusa Ave, Kensi
Tea Chan at Universal Chan International Zen Buddhist Center Meditative Tea Tasting with high-quality whole leaf teas from mainland China and Taiwan, served in Chinese gongfu cha style. Tea Chan is every other Sunday 2pm–4pm Address: 445 Colu
September 7, 2025, Tea Chan We tried seven distinctively flavorful, complex teas that took us through a wide landscape of aromatic notes, mouthfeel, and cha qi. Don’t miss the chance to taste our brand new premium teas this Sunday, Sept. 21, Universal Chan’s garden keeps growing. If you walk by on the street, the next day there is already a new set of freshly planted flowers. Flowers as plentiful and diverse as the inhabitants of the Bay. And if you use prajñā (wisdom), you&
We have a Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Retreat coming up in Pioneer, CA, where we will teach both the Silent illumination method and the Investigation method in order to best match each individual’s needs. We will do different meditation activiti
Come join us for Chan Practice Sundays 8am–11am Sitting, Outdoor Walking, Exercising, and Drinking Tea Chan (Meditation). There may also be some Bowing and Chanting Chan. Location: Universal Chan Zen Center (445 Colusa Ave, Kensington, CA 94 We have a Fall Awakening 7-Day Chan Retreat coming up in Pioneer, CA, where we will teach both the Silent illumination method and the Investigation method in order to best match each individual’s needs. We will do different meditation activiti