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