Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山, JinShan, Taipei

"Situated in an area resembling the shape of a drum lying on its side, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) was named after an analogy in the Lotus Sutra ─ ”beating the large Dharma drum” ─ in the hope that by beating the mind-purifying Dharma drum, people may obtain peace and harmony. " ~ from DDMweb

We arrived at DDM on 5th Feb 2009, after about 1.5 hour's coach ride from the airport at Taipei. However, it is until 9th, after the cremation ceremony that we had time to organise a mini-excursion of DDM. (If I recall correctly, it had been raining since our arrival and the weather only turned sunny on 9th, day after the Cremation ceremony of Master Sheng Yen. Then it started misty & rainy on the eve (14th) and day of Ash Burial ceremony.)



Surrounding are landscapes of mini water-falls and streams with hugh rocks whereby during good weather, you could find one to sit on to meditate just like in the movies...

The Founding Guanyin Park 开山观音公园

The Founding Guanyin (开山观音), placed at the highest point of the center, witnessed the difficult process in founding DDM.

Medicine Buddha Loop & Medicine Buddha 药王园与古佛

Amidst the Medicine Buddha Loop, sits a mind calming Medicine Buddha in front of a bamboo forest.

We passed by this part of path which we later found out to be the Life Memorial Garden where the ashes are buried. Vey serene place.

Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山, JinShan, Taipei

This is the Main Entrance of Dharma Drum Mountain.

This is the Main Shrine - Grand Buddha Hall where statues of Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha , and Medicine Buddha are enshrined.

Building I where the Main shrine (6th level) is, also houses the Founding History Memorial Hall (3rd level) and Auxiliary Hall (4th level). All worth visiting!

Memorial flights of stairs that we have to climb everyday. (Lift usage is strongly discouraged for the abled as an energy conservation effort)

Above is the Meditation Centre or Chan Hall which is generally not open to public except during meditation retreat to the participants. Its interior and accommodation quarters has a Zen touch. In it, there is also a carefully planned outdoor area for meditation. No photography is allowed after the main entrance. (According to a volunteer, if you listen carefully to the birds singing around the Meditation centre, they are are singing "Guanyin Pusa" , so do pay attention when you are around the area:-))

Wish Fulfilling Guanyin Hall where people can pray and make wishes and vows is located at 3rd level of Building II. The building's 1st level is where the bus terminal is, its 2nd level houses the Visitor Service Centre, Briefing room (for watching short film introducing DDM) , a Light Refreshment Cafe and Dharma Shop .

Exterior Platform walk to Main Shrine, see the 2nd visible tree from left? What did you notice?

The platform with design to cater to the tree trunks in a way not to hinder their growth.

Besides Building I, is the Dharma Drum Buddhist College and the library that is open to public with Internet access stations provided. Guess how old are these fig trees in front of the library ? Known as the "Seven Buddhas", these 7 trees have been the natural habitants at the mountain for more than 100years.

Dharma Drum Mountain 法鼓山, JinShan, Taipei

Lotus Bell Park 法华公园
I think this is my favourite spot at Dharma Drum Mountain, hence I would like to dedicate one whole section to it and with pictures from different angles.
Somehow, I like the ambience there... (which may not be reflected in the pictures)

(View of Big Bell from the smaller bell)

The Hugh Lotus Bell (法华钟) (height: 4.5m, weight: 25 tons) modelled in Tang style, is inscribed with the whole Lotus Sutra (法华经), the Great Compassion Mantra (大悲咒), and a painting titled “The Buddhas Sitting in the Many Jeweled Pagoda”. It needs the help of 4 to 6 persons to sound the bell. It is believed that with each sounding of the bell, the Dharma is being carried throughout the cosmos nurturing sentient beings in the universe.

I think the bell is sounded only on special occasions like the New Year, however, on normal days, around noon time, a recording of it would be played. Sitting near the bell, listening to the sound, one feels very peaceful...

(Sounding of the bell on 15th Feb 2009, day of Ash Burial ceremony of Master Sheng Yen)

Some pictures courtesy from AW & NS.

For more info on DDM, I would recommend one to watch this documentary, please click here!

The official web of DDM is : http://www.dharmadrum.org/index.aspx

Address ： No. 14-5, Lin 7, Sanjie Village, Jinshan, Taipei County 208, Taiwan

Tel ： 886-2-2498-7171 #1350, 1351, 1353

Visiting hours: 9am-4pm. (For group visit, please make an appointment in advance to ensure a complete tour experience)

There are buses from the Taipei Intercity Bus Terminal (at the intersection of Chongqing N Road and Civic Boulevard) may refer to Guoguang Bus Schedule .

More info on how to get there: http://www.ddm.org.tw/event/2007/ddm_map/index.asp

Nung Chan Monastery 农 禅 寺

Having heard much about the Nung Chan Monastery (农 禅 寺) where Master Sheng Yen used to host his earlier Dharma talks and meditation retreats, we were excited to embark on the journey to visit it on our last day in Taipei . We alighted at "Qiyan" (奇岩) MRT station and after walking about 10minutes and opposite what's looks like an automobile mart, we saw the signboard of the monastery at a road junction.



Finally, we caught a glimpse of the monastery at the end of the Daye road.
It looks unlike a traditional temple building from the gate entrance...
Photos are not allowed beyond this wall but a glimpse of the main hall could be viewed from old photos here . It is a simple hall but maybe because of many past Dharma events conducted, one could sense the positive energy when one enters it.:-) If one is able to spend some time meditating there, it may be a blissful experience.

The monastery is located at : 89, Lane 65, Daye Road
Beitou, Taipei, 112
Taiwan. ROC (Tel: 886-2-2893-3163)