A Trip to Argentina for Spreading Dharma Teaching

After flying eleven and half hours overnight, the aircraft landed in Buenos Aires airport. As soon as I exited the gate, an Argentine friend holding a plate with my name immediately greeted me. He helped me go through immigration and customs; the entire process was very smooth. Many Argentine Dharma friends led by Sister Chang and venerable Wu Shin who arrived two days earlier already waited outside for me. We went to the Pure Land cultivation center immediately; it was in early afternoon February 2, 2006.

Argentine Dharma friends treated venerable Wu Shin and me with a feast-like lunch. I took a short rest after the lunch. When I got up, I saw venerable Wu Shin teach our friends in Argentina to sing a few praising songs and poems normally used in the chanting practices. Venerable Wu Shin asked me to record his singing in my notebook computer. In the evening, we went to see the world-famous Argentine Tango show; it was splendid. To me, it is also a unique experience. On the second day, the friends arranged a city tour for us. With the nice weather, it was very relaxing and enjoyable.

On the third day, the long-waited and carefully planned 3-day Dharma program by Sister Chang finally took place. Like two years ago in Brazil, this is the first visit of Pure Land reverend to Argentina. Sister Cheng from the Tzu-Chi Foundation in Argentina served as the master of ceremony; venerable Wu Shin hosted the first lecture, "Changing Destiny – Wishful Things Will Come True." There were anywhere between 100 and 120 people in the audience, including two Bhikkhunis. The speech was well received. Many friends kept asking questions after the speech; venerable We Shin patiently answered their questions. The conversations ended about one and half hour later. In the following three days, venerable Wu Shin conducted a retreat. He also lectured during the retreat.

An impressive moment was that an Argentine Bhikkhuni, venerable Zhao Zhan who was also in the audience the day before helped and played an instrument on the second day. Initially, the daily program was planned to end before dinner. Upon the Dharma friends' request, it was extended to the evenings. On February 7, after the morning chanting practice and lunch, both venerable Wu Shin and I began to pack and prepared to leave. When we finished packing, upon request venerable Wu Shin conducted the chanting practice for another incense right before we rushed to the airport.

In summary, the experience of this trip was very positive. I especially admire and praise the dedication and diligence of our Chinese-Argentine friends in the Pure Land practice. For instance, the number of friends in the three day retreat was less than the number of people we normally have in every Sunday morning practice at the library. Yet, their voice of the recitation and chanting was several times as loud and powerful. It was mentioned before that they asked to extend the chanting time a couple of times. Also, while in the chanting, they were so dedicated and deeply into it that they hinted me not like to stop the chanting.

All the lectures and dialogue sessions (in Chinese) were recorded, made into audio CDs, and left for the Dharma friends before I came home.