![Dharma drum mountain](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Dharma_drum_mountain.jpg)
Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM; ) is an international
Buddhist
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
spiritual, cultural, and educational foundation founded by late
Chan master
Sheng-yen (1931 – 2009). The center focuses on educating the public in Buddhism with the goal of improving the world and establishing a "Pure Land on Earth" through Buddhist education.
The international headquarters of this organization is located at
Jinshan District
Jinshan District, is a suburban district of southwestern Shanghai, neighboring Zhejiang province and Hangzhou Bay. It has a land area of and a population of 732,500 as of the 2010 Chinese census. Jinshan District, located in the southwest of S ...
,
New Taipei City
New Taipei City is a special municipality located in northern Taiwan. The city is home to an estimated population of 3,974,683 as of 2022, making it the most populous city of Taiwan, and also the second largest special municipality by area, b ...
,
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
.
Dharma Drum Mountain is one of the most influential Buddhist organizations in
Chinese Buddhism
Chinese Buddhism or Han Buddhism ( zh, s=汉传佛教, t=漢傳佛教, p=Hànchuán Fójiào) is a Chinese form of Mahayana Buddhism which has shaped Chinese culture in a wide variety of areas including art, politics, literature, philosophy, ...
. In Taiwan, Master Sheng-yen was considered one of the "
Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods, each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world. In Chinese mythology, they are known collectively as the "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" () or "Sìdà Tiānwáng" (). In the ...
" and Dharma Drum Mountain one of the "
Four Great Mountains" or four major Buddhist organizations of Taiwanese Buddhism, along with
Tzu Chi
Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, known for short as the Tzu Chi Foundation ( zh, t=佛教慈濟慈善事業基金會, p=Fójiào Cí Jì Císhàn Shìyè Jījīn Huì, l=Buddhist Compassionate Relief Charity Foundation), is a Taiwanese in ...
,
Fo Guang Shan
Fo Guang Shan (FGS) () is an international Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist organization and monastic order based in Taiwan that practices Humanistic Buddhism. The headquarters, Fo Guang Shan Monastery is located in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, and ...
, and
Chung Tai Shan
Chung Tai Shan () is a Taiwan-based international Chan Buddhist monastic order founded by the Ven. Wei Chueh in 1987. The monastery headquarters, Chung Tai Chan Monastery (or Chung Tai Chan Buddhist Temple, 中台禪寺), completed in September ...
.
History
Long before the establishment of the
Jinshan headquarters, the development of Dharma Drum originated in the
Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture (CHIBC) and
Nung Chan Monastery
The Nung Chan Monastery (meaning 'Farming Ch'an') is a monastery at Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan. It is formally founded in 1975 by Ven. Dongchu, a scholar monk and disciple of renowned Chinese Buddhist Master Taixu. It's named ' ''Farming Ch ...
. Both were founded by
Dongchu
Dongchu (, 1907–1977) was a Chinese Ch'an Master in Mainland China and later in Taiwan, and also the teacher of respected modern-day Ch'an Master Sheng-yen. He is the 51st generation of Zen patriarch from the Caodong SchoolSee Lineage Chart. He ...
, a prominent Chan monk back in
Mainland China
"Mainland China" is a geopolitical term defined as the territory governed by the People's Republic of China (including islands like Hainan or Chongming), excluding dependent territories of the PRC, and other territories within Greater China. ...
and later in
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
, who was also disciple of renowned modernist monk, Grand Master
Taixu
Taixu (Tai Hsu) (), (January 8, 1890 – March 17, 1947) was a Buddhist modernist, activist and thinker who advocated for a reformation and revival of Chinese Buddhism by drawing upon eclectic domestic and foreign sources and ideologies.
Biogra ...
.
CHIBC was founded in 1956 and primarily active in promoting Buddhist culture mainly through publishing journals, such as the periodical ''Humanity Magazine''. ''Nung Chan'' ('Farming Chan') was established in 1975. Dongchu died two years later, and at 1978, his principal disciple and Dharma heir,
Sheng-yen became the new abbot of both Nung Chan and CHIBC. Under Sheng-yen's leadership, both institutions grew rapidly, the number of devotees in Nung Chan and students in CHIBC overwhelmed the building capacity. Therefore, in 1989, the institutions bought a plot of hilly land in
Jinshan,
New Taipei City
New Taipei City is a special municipality located in northern Taiwan. The city is home to an estimated population of 3,974,683 as of 2022, making it the most populous city of Taiwan, and also the second largest special municipality by area, b ...
in order to build a new monastery that would accommodate the increasing devotees and students. Sheng-yen named the new monastery Dharma Drum Mountain – creating the Dharma Drum Mountain organization.
The
architect
An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
ural design of the monastery took seven years; the
construction
Construction is a general term meaning the art and science to form Physical object, objects, systems, or organizations,"Construction" def. 1.a. 1.b. and 1.c. ''Oxford English Dictionary'' Second Edition on CD-ROM (v. 4.0) Oxford University Pr ...
process took further time. Sheng-yen, in the framework of his
environmentalism
Environmentalism or environmental rights is a broad philosophy, ideology, and social movement regarding concerns for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks ...
campaign, insisted the monastery buildings to follow and adjust to the natural contour of the hills – therefore it didn't change much of its natural
geomorphologic features. He personally oversaw the whole process and carefully looked after the details. The first phase of DDM broke ground in 1993. The first phase of the project, which consists most of the complex of DDM we see today, was completed and inaugurated at 2001. In 2006, Master Sheng-yen's student Venerable Guo Dong succeeded him as abbot.
The organization's main focus is on teaching Buddhism to the public with the goal of improving the world for the benefit of all. Dharma Drum Mountain does do charity projects but mostly does so indirectly through the funding of other charities. As of 2005, the organization was estimated to have about 400,000 members.
At Jinshan, New Taipei City
Dharma Drum Mountain at Jinshan is a complex of
monasteries
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...
and education centers. Aside from being the international headquarters of Dharma Drum Mountain, it also serves as the campus of
Dharma Drum Sangha University
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
(DDSU),
Dharma Drum Buddhist College
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
(DDBC) and
Dharma Drum University
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
(DDU).
DDSU is specified for monastic training for monks both from Taiwan and various other countries. It had three
fields of study
Fields may refer to:
Music
* Fields (band), an indie rock band formed in 2006
* Fields (progressive rock band), a progressive rock band formed in 1971
* ''Fields'' (album), an LP by Swedish-based indie rock band Junip (2010)
* "Fields", a song b ...
: ''Basic Training'', ''Buddhist Study'', and ''Chan Study''. DDBC is for both monastic and lay men. It opens
graduate and
post-graduate
Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree.
The organization and stru ...
program for ''Buddhist Study'' and ''Buddhist
informatics''. DDU is currently under development. DDU, however, had opened registration for its first students with its preliminary office located at
Beitou, Taipei City, just 15 minutes drive from Nung Chan.
The complex of Dharma Drum Mountain at Jinshan consists of several buildings
DDM Map Guide
(from the entrance):
* Building II
** 1st level: Bus terminal
** 2nd level: Visitor Service Center, Briefing room–theater, Dharma Shop–book store
** 3rd level: The
Guanyin
Guanyin () is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara ( sa, अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion. She ...
Hall (with a tranquility pond in the front and waterfall in the background)
** 4th level: Dining hall (vegetarian)
* Building I (''note'': as DDM buildings mirror the natural contour of the land, the ground floor of Building I is actually the 3rd level)
** 3rd level: Founding History Memorial Hall
** 4th level: Auxiliary Hall (artworks display)
** 5th level: Multipurpose Exhibition Room
** 6th level: Grand Buddha Hall
* Chan Hall
* Dharma Drum Buddhist College
* Library and Audio-Visual rooms
* Dharma Drum Sangha University
* Dharma Drum University (under construction)
* Monks quarter
* Nuns quarter
DDM Complex also has several distinguished features, such as:
* DDM Emblem Rock
* A stone inscription, "A Spiritual Mountain and Sublime Environment"
* Statue of welcoming
Guanyin
Guanyin () is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara ( sa, अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion. She ...
* World's largest Lotus bell
* Statue of founding
Guanyin
Guanyin () is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara ( sa, अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion. She ...
* Statue of
the Medicine Buddha
* Seven walking paths with various attractions, from the splashing streams that pass through the land, a bamboo forest, and dense woodland with varieties of birds and insects
Vision, spirit, and ideas
Vision and spirit
![Dharma Drum Mountain Entrance Road Sign 20110206](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Dharma_Drum_Mountain_Entrance_Road_Sign_20110206.jpg)
Dharma Drum's vision is to "uplift the character of
human
Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, cultu ...
ity and build a pure land on earth." Its spirit is to "give of ourselves for the benefit of all.
Three types of education
Dharma Drum's educational approach is summarized in three types of education:
* ''Education through Academics'' – to cultivate high-caliber Buddhist talent in the fields of research, teaching,
Dharma propagation, or service through formal academic training.
* ''Education through Public Outreach'' – to promote or deepen the teachings of the Buddha through traditional Buddhist practices such as
meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...
or
recitation
A recitation in a general sense is the act of reciting from memory, or a formal reading of verse or other writing before an audience.
Public recitation is the act of reciting a work of writing before an audience.
Academic recitation
In a ...
of the Buddha's name as well as modern cultural activities.
* ''Education through Caring Services'' – to uplift the level of caring service through education, and realizing the educational goals through caring service.
In the past, DDM had provided emergency assistance for natural disasters both in
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
and other countries, notably the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the
2006 Yogyakarta earthquake.
Four kinds of environmentalism
Dharma Drum promotes the four kinds of
environmentalism
Environmentalism or environmental rights is a broad philosophy, ideology, and social movement regarding concerns for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks ...
- these are manifestation of ideas and concepts in
Buddhism
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religions, Indian religion or Indian philosophy#Buddhist philosophy, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha. ...
to the frame of modern
environmentalism
Environmentalism or environmental rights is a broad philosophy, ideology, and social movement regarding concerns for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks ...
. Portrayed as an offer of guidance for living in the 21st century
* Protecting the
spiritual environment:
** Ch'an
meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...
** The Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign
* Protecting the
natural
Nature, in the broadest sense, is the physical world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. Although humans are ...
environment:
** Recognizing blessings
** Cherishing blessings
** Nurturing blessings
** Sowing the seeds of blessings
* Protecting the living environment.
* Protecting the
social environment
The social environment, social context, sociocultural context or milieu refers to the immediate physical and social setting in which people live or in which something happens or develops. It includes the culture that the individual was educate ...
:
** The Six Ethics of the Mind
** Buddhist-Style Joint Weddings
** Buddhist-Style Joint Birthday Celebration for the Elderly
** Buddhist-Style Joint Natural Funerals
Fivefold spiritual renaissance campaign
* Four Fields for Cultivating Peace — A Proposition for Uplifting the Character of Humanity:
** Cultivating a peaceful mind lies in reducing desires
** Cultivating a peaceful body lies in hard work and thrift
** Cultivating a peaceful family lies in love and respect
** Cultivating peaceful activity lies in being honest and upright
* Four Steps for Handling a Problem- A Proposition for Resolving the Difficulties of Life:
** Face it: face the difficulty squarely
** Accept it: accept the reality of the difficulty
** Deal with it: deal with the difficulty with wisdom and compassion
** Let it go: afterwards, let go of it
* Four Practices for Helping Oneself and Others — A Proposition for Getting Along with Others:
** Feeling grateful for the chance to develop
** Feeling thankful for the opportunity to hone your practice
** Reforming yourself through the Dharma
** Influencing others through virtuous action
* Four Ways to Cultivate Blessings — A Proposition for Increasing Blessings:
** Recognizing blessings is the greatest happiness
** Cherishing blessings is the best way of saving
** Nurture blessings, and you'll always be blessed
** Sow the seeds of blessings that blessings may be shared by all
Six ethics of mind
* Family Ethics
* Living Ethics
* School Ethics
* Environmental Ethics
* Workplace Ethics
* Ethics between Ethnic Groups
Global affiliates
Dharma Drum Mountain has affiliated centers and temples in fourteen countries spread across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Dharma Drum Mountain: Global Affiliates
See also
* Buddhism in Taiwan
Buddhism is one of the major religions of Taiwan. Taiwanese people predominantly practice Mahayana Buddhism, Confucian principles, local practices and Taoist tradition. Roles for religious specialists from both Buddhist and Taoist traditions exi ...
* Four Great Mountains (Taiwan) The Four Great Mountains of Taiwan refers to a group of four prominent organizations in Taiwanese Buddhism. The term draws its name from the Four Sacred Mountains of China, four mountains in mainland China that each hold sacred Chinese Buddhist si ...
* Four Heavenly Kings (Taiwan)
The Four Heavenly Kings of Taiwan refers to four masters in Taiwanese Buddhism who each founded an influential Buddhist institution in the country. The term draws its name from the Four Heavenly Kings who each rule over one of the heavenly realms ...
* Guo Yuan
* Guo Xing
* Nung Chan Monastery
The Nung Chan Monastery (meaning 'Farming Ch'an') is a monastery at Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan. It is formally founded in 1975 by Ven. Dongchu, a scholar monk and disciple of renowned Chinese Buddhist Master Taixu. It's named ' ''Farming Ch ...
References
External links
*
{{coord, 25.2403, N, 121.6151, E, source:wikidata, display=title
2001 establishments in Taiwan
Chan temples
Buddhist temples in Taiwan
Buddhist organizations based in Taiwan
Temples in New Taipei