Chan Meditation Family Camp 2025

This is a special opportunity to gather with like-minded families for a Buddhist Chan (Chinese Zen) family camp, set in the countryside of Co. Mayo. This year's camp will be led by Guoxing Bhikshuni and Yan Xiang Fashi, both of whom are Chan Buddhist nuns from Taiwan.

The camp offers a relaxed and supportive environment for families to explore mindfulness and Buddhist practice together. There will be age-appropriate Dharma and mindfulness activities for both adults and children, along with playtime, outdoor fun, and plenty of space to simply be together as a community.

This event is co-created by everyone attending — in the spirit of shared practice and cooperation, all participants are asked to support the running of the camp through simple tasks like helping with meals, washing up, and cleanup after the camp ends.

This camp welcomes all who wish to attend to apply, and is open to those of all faiths and none. 

IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: After registering you will receive an email which includes a Family Camp form - please fill this out and return to us. Once we have received the form we can confirm your place on this retreat. We can only confirm and reserve places on the camp once we have received this form. Thank you.

Dates and Age Groups

There are two camp sessions available:

• Camp One: Monday August 4 – Wednesday August 6 (focused on families with younger children, up to age 12)

• Camp Two: Wednesday August 6 – Friday August 8 (focused on families with older children and teens, age 12+)

It is possible to attend both camps depending on availability. If you are selecting both camps, please indicate your first and second preference in the registration form. We will prioritise giving everyone their first choice, and if there is space remaining, we will offer spots in both camps.

Please note: while the camps are geared toward different age groups, there may be some natural overlap depending on family needs and availability. We will do our best to tailor activities accordingly.

Accommodation

Accommodation is primarily camping. There is some limited indoor accommodation available, which will be prioritised based on need. If you request indoor accomodation please let us know why on the form.  If you are physically able, we kindly ask that you choose the camping option so we can offer indoor options to those who most require it.

Food and Meals

Three communal vegetarian meals will be offered each day. We do not cook with onion, garlic, or leek. We can accommodate lactose and gluten intolerance — please indicate any dietary needs in the form. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee accommodation of all other allergies, but we will do our best to support where possible.

Dana / Cost

In line with Buddhist tradition, this camp is offered on a donation basis. There are, however, costs involved in hosting the event (food, venue, supplies, etc.).

We estimate the base cost at €35 per night per adult, and €20 per night per child.

Donations can be made on arrival or by Revolut in advance. Information will be sent by email after registration.

Location, Directions and travel : Moyhastin, Co. Mayo

• EIRCODE - F28 DR31 (leaves you 20 meters short. Go forward to post boxes then turn left)

• Sat Nav Coordinates N 53*46.722' W 009*30.642’

• Google Map Coordinates 53.7787,-9.5107 (see below) 

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Please register by clicking the 'register' button on this page. We will send you a retreat form once you've registered, please fill this form and return to us that we can confirm your attendance. 

Any questions or queries can be sent to buddhanaturechanFC@gmail.com

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Retreat leaders biographies: 

About Guoxing Bhikshuni:

Guoxing Bhikshuni is a fully-ordained Buddhist nun (Bhikshuni) from Taiwan, ordained in the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Master Sheng Yen. 

She embarked on learning Chan meditation while researching the Church-State Relationship in Mexico during her Master's degree studies in Latin American Studies. Since then, she actively engaged in retreats led by Master Sheng Yen. She was tonsured under Master Sheng Yen in 1999. Following the completion of Dharma Drum Mountain, the DDM monastic community recommended her to pursue a doctoral degree to further DDM’s dedication to the higher education of Buddhism. She obtained a second Master's degree in Religious Studies from Columbia University in 2010, followed by a Ph.D. from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) in 2018.

Her research centres on themes associated with Chan Master Hongzhi Zhengue, as encouraged by Master Sheng Yen, who urged her to explore the teachings of both Chan Master Hongzhi and his own Silent Illumination Chan. Currently, she serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Buddhist Studies at Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts in Taiwan. 

About Yan Xiang Fashi:

Yan Xiang is a Buddhist nun in the Dharma Drum Mountain tradition, Taiwan. Originally from Malaysia, she was ordained in 2011 and received full Bhikkhunī ordination in 2013. She has been practicing Chinese Mahayana Chan (Zen) Buddhism ever since.

Before entering monastic life, Yan Xiang earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, with a focus on Child Development, from the University of Central Oklahoma, USA. Between 1997 and 2009, she worked as a child educator in Singapore and Malaysia, accumulating extensive experience in parent-child education. She is skilled in using developmentally appropriate practices and international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to guide children’s healthy physical and emotional growth.

After ordaining, Yan Xiang has been dedicated to promoting Chinese Chan practice and the concept of spiritual environmentalism, continuing the teachings of her late teacher, the Venerable Master Sheng Yen. Over the years, she has actively led family Chan retreats, children’s Chan camps, youth workshops, and one-day meditation events, blending Buddhist teachings with education to help both adults and children experience "Chan in everyday life."

Yan Xiang believes that through Chan meditation and Buddhist wisdom, children can develop greater awareness, emotional stability, and inner peace, while parents can find tranquility and transformation in their journey of guiding their children. She hopes to integrate her background in education with Buddhist teachings, guiding more families toward peaceful, harmonious, and joyful lives.