蔬香滿地 徑轉清幽
Vegetables fragrant across the ground, the path turns into quiet serenity.
七月，般若禪林在豐收餘韻中更顯生機盎然。園中蔬果持續結實，綠意蔓延，勞作之間，處處可見自然與人心相應的和諧景致。隨著義工們的齊心協力，小徑鋪設漸次完成，園林格局日益清朗有序，行走其間，步步皆是清淨道場。蓮花初綻，清香徐來，為盛夏增添一分寧靜與莊嚴。師父帶領大眾於日常作務中體會禪意，從耕種、建設到簡樸飲食，點滴之中皆是修行，亦讓禪林生活更顯安然踏實、溫潤悠長。
In July, Prajna Chan Monastery continues to flourish in the afterglow of the harvest season. Fruits and vegetables in the garden remain abundant, with lush greenery spreading throughout, reflecting a harmonious resonance between nature and the human spirit. Through the dedicated efforts of volunteers, the pathways are gradually being completed, and the garden landscape is becoming increasingly orderly and serene. Walking along these paths, each step reveals the tranquility of a pure practice ground.
Lotus blossoms begin to bloom, their gentle fragrance drifting through the summer air, adding a sense of quiet dignity and peace. Under the guidance of the Master, the community continues to embody Chan practice through daily work—from cultivation and construction to simple, mindful meals. In every small task, the spirit of practice is present, bringing forth a life that is grounded, peaceful, and enduringly warm.
2026/7
時蔬滿園 手作成香
Harvests of fruits and vegetables abound,
Bread and dumplings made with joyful hands.
六月，般若禪林迎來豐收時節。在義工們長時間的辛勤耕耘與用心照料下，園中蔬菜水果陸續成熟，收穫滿滿。師父和義工們亦隨之製作各式手工素食，從新鮮蔬食到自製麵包、餃子，處處洋溢著樸實而溫暖的生活氣息。
In June, Prajna Chan Monastery entered a season of abundance. Through the volunteers’ long hours of diligent labor and devoted care, fruits and vegetables in the garden ripened one after another, bringing a plentiful harvest. The Master and volunteers also prepared a variety of handmade vegetarian foods, from fresh produce to homemade bread and dumplings, filling the monastery with a simple and warm atmosphere of daily life.
2026/6
齊心修路 共植福田
United in building the path,
Together planting fields of merit.
The internal road improvement project within the Chan Monastery is currently in full swing. With the joint efforts of the construction team and dedicated volunteers, various tasks—from road leveling to foundational reinforcement—are progressing steadily and in an orderly manner. This project aims to enhance overall accessibility, safety, and environmental quality, providing a more convenient and secure space for both spiritual practice and daily activities.
Donation
2026/5
春林靜修 花鳥清音
Meditative stillness in a spring forest
The clear song of birds among blossoms
2026/4
春華映林 眾心成境
Spring blooms illumine the forest, many hearts shape a shared realm.
2026/3
茶花映日 禪意滿林
Sunlit camellias bloom, Zen pervades the quiet woods.
每一分勞力、每一念善心，皆在無聲中莊嚴道場，滋養大眾修行悟心的因緣。萬法流轉，功不唐捐；一念清淨，即是歸途。值此農曆新年，敬祝諸位福慧增長、身心安穩、闔家吉祥，新歲行願圓滿。
Every bit of effort and every thought of kindness silently dignifies the Way-place, nurturing the causes and conditions for all to cultivate and awaken.
All phenomena flow and change—no wholesome deed is ever in vain; with one thought of purity, the path home is already present.
On this Lunar New Year, we respectfully wish you growing blessings and wisdom, peace in body and mind, harmony in your family, and the perfect fulfillment of your vows in the year ahead.
2026/2
同心協力，共建禪林。
Standing together, we build the Chan Monastery.
感恩諸位義工長期以來的護持與發心，在默默付出與同心協力之下，禪林各項建設得以持續穩步推進。每一分勞力、每一念善心，皆成就清淨道場的莊嚴與安穩，滋養眾人修行的因緣。
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers for your long-standing support and compassionate dedication. Through your quiet efforts and collective cooperation, the construction and development of the Chan Monastery have continued to move forward steadily. Every contribution of labor and every wholesome intention helps to uphold the dignity and stability of this pure place of practice, nurturing the conditions for all to cultivate the path.
2026/1
植樹淨土，修路安行。
Planting trees to purify the land, Building roads for safe passage.
感恩諸位善心人士的護持與發心，禪林道路修繕工程得以順利推進，並已初步告一段落；亦誠摯感謝所有義工菩薩的無私奉獻與辛勤付出，成就此一善業。值此新年將臨，敬祝大家福慧增長、平安吉祥，新的一年行願圓滿。
With deep gratitude to all kind-hearted benefactors for their support and heartfelt commitment, the Zen Grove road repair project has progressed smoothly and has now reached its initial completion. We also sincerely thank all volunteer bodhisattvas for their selfless dedication and tireless efforts, which made this wholesome undertaking possible. As the New Year approaches, we wish everyone abundance in blessings and wisdom, peace and auspiciousness, and the fulfillment of noble vows in the year to come.
2025/12
銀杏知秋 心懷感恩
Ginkgo feels the fall, Gratitude fills the heart.
禪林工程進度簡報 Construction Progress
修路工程進入最後補強階段, 補充幾個陡峭處的反光柱，以及小面積路面補強， 12月初即將全面修繕完畢。同時化糞池也拿到縣政府的正式批准，即將展開第二期工程。尚有其他代訂工程，也即將會在2026年展開！敬請期待！。歡迎大眾持續發心護持。
閲讀詳情
The road repair project is nearly to its final reinforcement phase. Several reflective posts will be added to steep sections, and small areas of road surface will be reinforced. The entire project is expected to be completed by the early of December. Meantime the second phase of the septic system is on going.
Last but not the least, Other construction and renovation may begin in 2026. Continued support will make the monastery more accessible!
Read More
2025/11
眾手收蔬綠 同心築路新
Harvest greens, together we build a new path.
禪林工程進度簡報 Construction Progress
整路面舖上柏油和護堤，修路工程即將進入尾聲，再做些轉彎路段補強及防土石流便可完工。
同時化糞池也拿到縣政府的正式批准，即將展開第二期工程。
尚有其他代訂工程，也即將會在2026年展開！敬請期待！
閲讀詳情
With the road resurfaced, repaved with asphalt, and berms in place, the Brooks road construction is nearing completion. Further work is needed to reinforce the curves and prevent landslides.
Meantime we received the septic tank certificate from the Santa Cruz county.
Last but not the least, Other construction and renovation may begin in 2026.
Read More
2025/10
兔坐無聲 草色自明
The rabbit sits, silent and still, the grass gleams with quiet light.
禪林鋪路工程已開始了！歡迎大眾持續發心護持。
閲讀詳情
The road-paving work has begun. Continued support will make the monastery more accessible!
Read More
2025/9
夏風拂臉過 莓熟誰先嚐 心安即是鄉
Who finds their true home, tastse the ripe berries first.
In July, Prajna Forest Monastery hosted its inaugural "Meditation Retreat for Professors". Over a dozen university professors from Taiwan participated in the two-week, custom-designed program led by Jianhu Shifu. The retreat's comprehensive curriculum included a tour of the monastery , communal work , three lectures on "The Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation" , cross-disciplinary dialogues with Buddhism, and a full seven-day Chan (Zen) retreat. All participants felt this was an unforgettable experience!
The Cherry Plum is a common wild fruit tree found at Prajna Forest Monastery and in its vicinity. It is an ancestor of European plums. Its size is like a cherry, and tastes like a plum, and comes in various colors from yellow to red. The yellow ones are quite sweet, while the red ones are more sour. They ripen in early summer; we recently picked hundreds of them on our property. We tried pickling the sour ones in the style of Chinese Q-mei (with organic brown sugar), and the taste is remarkably similar! Volunteers got to have a first taste.
Merit Garden 福田菜園
New vegetable garden in the works! We put up fences, removed underground roots, and tilled the soil. As Master Baizhang has said, “A day without work is a day without food!”
感恩諸位義工長期以來的護持與發心，在默默付出與同心協力之下，禪林各項建設得以持續穩步推進。每一分勞力、每一念善心，皆成就清淨道場的莊嚴與安穩，滋養眾人修行的因緣。
感恩諸位善心人士的護持與發心，禪林道路修繕工程得以順利推進，並已初步告一段落；亦誠摯感謝所有義工菩薩的無私奉獻與辛勤付出，成就此一善業。值此新年將臨，敬祝大家福慧增長、平安吉祥，新的一年行願圓滿。
With deep gratitude to all kind-hearted benefactors for their support and heartfelt commitment, the Zen Grove road repair project has progressed smoothly and has now reached its initial completion. We also sincerely thank all volunteer bodhisattvas for their selfless dedication and tireless efforts, which made this wholesome undertaking possible. As the New Year approaches, we wish everyone abundance in blessings and wisdom, peace and auspiciousness, and the fulfillment of noble vows in the year to come.
般若禪林首屆五戒法會圓滿舉行：住持法師開示五戒真諦
Prajna Monastery's First Five Precepts Ceremony: Jianhu Shifu Teaches the True Meaning of the Five Precepts
