Introduction to Zen Meditation in Taiwan

A three-week immersive winter study abroad in Taiwan introducing Chan (Zen) meditation through Buddhist practice, philosophy, and culture. Based in Taipei (Degui College) and Taichung (Baoyun Monastery / Baoyun Villa): lectures, zazen, eight-movement meditation, Tai Chi, walking meditation, photography, farming, and tea ceremony. Includes a half-day retreat, farm-to-table “farming Chan,” and excursions to Yangmingshan and Apricot Blossom Water Buffalo School. Taught in English; no prior meditation experience required.

Daily morning practice at Degui College: Mon–Fri 9:00–10:00 am (except outdoor-activity days) — 9:00–9:30 stretching; 9:30–10:00 zazen.

Lodging

• Jan 1–15 · Taipei

  Howard Civil Service International House

  No. 30, Sec. 3, Xinsheng S. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei

• Jan 16–21 · Taichung

  53 Hotel

  No. 27, Zhongshan Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City 40042

Class locations

• Jan 1–15 · Taipei

  Degui College, Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts

  No. 77, Yanping S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei (Ximen MRT Exit 5)

• Jan 16–21 · Taichung

  Baoyun Monastery

  No. 75, Shangsi Lane, Yonghe Rd., Wufeng Dist., Taichung City 413

Learning outcomes

• Critical & reflective thinking through contemplative practice and guided reflection.
• Global & cultural awareness of Zen/Chan in historical and Taiwanese contexts.
• Embodied & experiential learning through sitting, movement, and walking meditation.
• Ethical reasoning on suffering, care, interdependence, and ecological responsibility.
• Communication through reflective writing, visual media, and final presentation.

Assessment

• Reflective journal / meditation writing30%
• Participation in practice & activities30%
• Final project presentation (5–6 min)40%

Schedule

• Daily · 9:00–10:00

  Morning stretching & zazen

  Degui College, Mon–Fri (except excursion days).

• 1/2 · 10:00–12:30Prof. Chi-hung Wu

  Video Reporting and Production

  Concept to filming, editing, and presentation. Requires Windows 10+ laptop, 8GB+ RAM.

• 1/2 · 14:00–16:30Amy Lee

  Yoga Workshop I

  Condition the body for meditation through gentle postures and breath.

• 1/3–1/4

  Free time

• 1/5 · 10:00–12:30Prof. Wei-jen Deng

  Tracing the Footsteps of the Buddha in Ancient India

  Life of the Buddha, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, and early communities.

• 1/5 · 14:00–16:30Haitian Pan

  Tai Chi “Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail – Eight Forms” I

  Peng, Lu, Ji, An — eight forms, clockwise and counterclockwise.

• 1/6 · 10:00–12:30Ven. Chang Hwa

  Intro to Tiantai Calming-and-Insight Meditation

  Zhiyi’s Essentials for Practicing Calming-and-Insight: preparation, practice, obstacles.

• 1/6 · 13:30–15:30

  Qigong I

• 1/7 · 10:00–12:30Chia-ju Chang

  From Cow, Ox to Mu!: CARE Framework

  Plastic Cow (Vohra), Baizhang’s farm Chan, ox koans. Meet lobby 8:30 am — Fo Guang University, Yilan.

• 1/8 · 10:00–12:30Prof. Tsung-yu Gu

  Living Well and Leaving Well

  Good living and good dying; death competence.

• 1/8 · 13:30–15:30

  Qigong II

• 1/9

  Day at Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts

  Meet lobby 7:45. Walking meditation, tea-Zen, talk by Prof. Ou, campus tour, Yehliu Geo-park.

• 1/10

  Qingtiangang Ranch, Yangmingshan

  Grasslands, water buffalo, walking and photographic meditation.

• 1/10 · 15:00–18:00

  Shilin Residence

  Gardens blending culture and nature.

• 1/10 · 19:00+

  Shilin Night Market

  Taipei’s iconic night-market culture.

• 1/11–1/12

  Free time

• 1/13 · 10:00–12:30Prof. Pei-ying Lin

  From Bodhidharma to Chan Buddhism

  Diversity of Chan and skillful use of words.

• 1/13 · 13:30–15:30Ven. Chang Hwa

  Eight Movements of Zen

• 1/14 · 10:00–12:30Prof. Pei-ying Lin

  Gong’an / Koan

  Classic cases, context, and application in meditation.

• 1/14 · 14:00–16:30Haitian Pan

  Tai Chi Workshop II

• 1/15 · 10:00–12:30Prof. Pei-ying Lin

  Ten Ox Herding Pictures

  Stages from seeking the ox to returning to the marketplace.

• 1/15 · 13:30–15:30Amy Lee

  Yoga Workshop II

• 1/16Peter Lee

  Water Buffalo Therapy & Zen Biophilia

  En route to Taichung — Apricot Blossom Village Water Buffalo School, Hsinchu (~90 min workshop).

• 1/17 · 9:00–12:00

  Half-day Chan Meditation Retreat

  Baoyun Monastery.

• 1/18

  Lin Family Mansion and Garden

  Wufeng, Taichung — Qing-era Fujianese architecture and gardens (3–4 hrs incl. lunch).

• 1/19 · 9:00–14:00

  Farm to Table: Agricultural Chan

  Baoyun Villa — organic farming, harvest, meal prep, mindful eating.

• 1/20 · 14:00–16:00

  Final Project Presentations

  Each student: 3–5 minutes.

• 1/20 · 17:00

  Farewell Party

  Closing celebration for the Taiwan study experience.

Reading & viewing

• The mindfulness conspiracy (podcast)
• The Yoga Sutras
• Rupert Gethin, The Foundations of Buddhism
• World Meditation League (WML)
• Training the Brains of Warriors
• What is Nirvana?
• The Buddha and enlightenment
• What is Mind? What is Consciousness?
• How to Fight Injustices Without Being Consumed with Anger
• The Roots of Anger
• Where Do We Go When We Die?
• Michael Levin — Can cells think?
• The Zen of Steve Jobs: A Closer Look
• Tokyo Quantified Meditation Challenge