Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) is a Buddhist spiritual organization founded by the late Chinese monk, Venerable Master Sheng Yen. It is based on the teachings of Chinese Buddhism and is focused on the practice of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. DDM promotes the cultivation of wisdom and compassion and the integration of Buddhist practice into daily life. The organization has centers and affiliated groups around the world, and its teachings are also available online through its website and other platforms. DDM is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds, and its teachings are designed to be applicable to people of any religion or spiritual tradition.
Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) is a Buddhist spiritual organization founded by the late Chinese monk, Venerable Master Sheng Yen. It is based on the teachings of Chinese Buddhism, specifically the Chan (Zen) tradition, and is focused on the cultivation of wisdom and compassion through meditation and other spiritual practices. DDM emphasizes the importance of integrating Buddhist practice into daily life and living in accordance with the principles of the Buddha's teachings.
DDM has centers and affiliated groups around the world, and its teachings are also available online through its website and other platforms. The organization offers a variety of programs, including meditation classes, retreats, and teacher training programs. It also publishes books and other materials related to Chinese Buddhism and spiritual development. DDM is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds, and its teachings are designed to be applicable to people of any religion or spiritual tradition.
Overall, the mission of DDM is to help individuals understand and experience the nature of mind and to cultivate wisdom and compassion in all aspects of their lives. The organization is committed to promoting the teachings of Chinese Buddhism and helping as many people as possible to benefit from them.
Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China and has spread to other countries in Asia and beyond. Zen emphasizes direct experience and personal realization through meditation and other spiritual practices, rather than relying on scriptures or other external sources of authority. The goal of Zen Buddhism is enlightenment, or understanding one's true nature and attaining liberation from suffering. This is typically achieved through the practice of zazen, or seated meditation, which is said to help practitioners develop concentration, clarity of mind, and insight into the nature of reality.
Zen practice also often includes other spiritual practices such as koans, chanting, and physical disciplines such as martial arts or gardening. Zen teachings often emphasize the importance of living in the present moment, practicing compassion and kindness towards others, and finding one's own path to enlightenment rather than following a prescribed set of beliefs or practices.
The organization is based on the teachings of Chinese Buddhism, specifically the Chan (Zen) tradition, and is focused on the cultivation of wisdom and compassion through meditation and other spiritual practices.
The Chan tradition, also known as Zen, is a school of Buddhism that developed in China and is known for its emphasis on meditation and the cultivation of insight. The Chan tradition is based on the teachings of the Buddha and the Indian masters who transmitted those teachings to China, and it also incorporates elements from the indigenous spiritual traditions of China.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen was born in China in 1930 and ordained as a monk at a young age. He received his traditional Buddhist education in China and Taiwan, and later traveled to the West to share the teachings of Chinese Buddhism with a broader audience. In 1989, he founded DDM, a spiritual organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the teachings of Chinese Buddhism.
The teachers within DDM are ordained monks and nuns who have received traditional monastic training within the Chinese Buddhist tradition. They have studied and practiced the teachings of the Buddha and the Chinese masters, and are considered to be highly qualified teachers within the tradition. The teachers within DDM are committed to preserving and sharing the teachings of Chinese Buddhism and to helping individuals understand and experience the nature of mind and cultivate wisdom and compassion.
Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) has centers and affiliated groups around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. These centers and groups offer a variety of programs and events, including meditation classes, retreats, and teacher training programs. They also host lectures and other events related to Chinese Buddhism and spiritual development. DDM centers and affiliated groups are typically located in urban areas and are open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. They provide a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals to learn about and practice Chinese Buddhism and other spiritual practices, and to connect with others who are interested in similar goals.
In addition to the centers, DDM also has local practice groups that meet regularly to practice Buddhism and other spiritual practices. These groups are typically led by ordained monks or nuns, or by experienced lay practitioners who have completed teacher training programs or have been practicing for many years. Practice groups provide a supportive community for individuals to connect with others who are interested in spiritual growth and development.
Overall, the centers and practice groups of DDM provide a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals to learn about and practice Chinese Buddhism and other spiritual practices, and to connect with others who are interested in similar goals.
Below you will find the places around the world, that practice this path.