Spiritual Pilgrimage Road to the Jinshan Coast
Traveling from the greater Taipei area to the Dharma Drum Mountain World Buddhist Education Park (hereinafter referred to as Dharma Drum Mountain or DDM), located in Jinshan on the north coast, there are three route choices: the highway from the town of Tamsui or from the city of Keelung, and the Yangjin Highway over Yangmingshan. Each offers beautiful coast and mountain views. The moment that the DDM Emblem Rock spiritual marker is spotted at the entrance means escape into mountain forest for spiritual baptism.
Flourishing temples busy with worshipers and incense smoke are invariably associated with the image of resplendent pavilions and pagodas. Dharma Drum Mountain, however, built in 2005, is unique. The Guanyin Monastery is built on a mountainside, with brown, grey, and white the main colors, outstanding modeling, and lines that are smooth and flowing, low-key and unassuming. These echo the characteristics of simplicity, austere sublimity, and refinement in the “Zen aesthetics” defined by Japanese scholar Hisamatsu Shinichi.
It is worth mentioning that the various building materials selected, from the walls to floors and doors to windows and even down to the smallest stone, were personally selected by the founder, Venerable Master Sheng Yen. Special emphasis was placed on harmony with the original Jinshan environment. Though newly built, the goal was to make the complex appear to have some age behind it from the first day, to avoid visual abruptness.
Master Guo Xian states that conceptually the goal was to minimize extraneity, making this work of architecture like an “organic organism” that has sprouted from the earth. Surrounded by green mountains and gurgling streams, it blends seamlessly with the natural environment. She uses the plaque hung above the Grand Hall main portal as an example, which says “The Original Face.” The four Chinese characters used explain the principle of faithfulness and fidelity used at Dharma Drum Mountain, from architecture to landscape construction. “Return to your essential self, avoiding excessive complexity, simply presenting a simple and clean environment.” This allows all those who visit this place to be imperceptibly rid of the pretensions and artifices of life, and to regain the original appearance, the essential self, that resides in the heart.
If visiting Dharma Drum Mountain, it’s best to reserve at least half a day. Taking a walk through the park, contentment is guaranteed amongst the flowers and shrubs, grass and trees. Of special interest are the seven precious old Large-leaved Banyan trees in front of the library, original to the site and specially preserved during the construction process in the spirit of “respect for all things in nature.” One person protects a tree, another enjoys the shade. Master Guo Xian recalls the tree transplantation project when the university campus was being built, when ways were devised to transplant and preserve thousands of specimens from different native Taiwan species, including nanmu, Chinese tallow, camphor, and Oldham scolopia trees. “The easiest thing would have been simply to cut them all down and start over, but as we often say, ‘The process is the result,’ and with patience and time we were able to conserve them, getting them to bloom naturally again.”
Streamside Walks - Both Travel and Spiritual Practice
The park is currently home to eight different trails, rich in natural ecology, with each offering distinctive scenery.
Smiling, Master Guo Xian says that in the 15 years since its development on the mountain, visitors have praised Dharma Drum Mountain’s simplicity and cleanliness. “Ask people how they’re having fun exploring the place, and all answers they’ve parked at the mountain’s base and walked up the Linxi Chaoshan (meaning ‘Streamside Mountain Ascent’) Path.” On a hilltop opposite the large parking lot is a welcoming bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, that stands eight meters high. She seems to be taking a gentle step forward, robes fluttering in the breeze, as if greeting newly arrived visitors. Volunteer Zhao Wan-ling recalls the first time she herself visited Dharma Drum Mountain, when she was amazed by the quietness of the environment. “It calms you down naturally, and the heart is purified naturally.”
On days when the sun is out, with a look up the Crested Serpent Eagle can be seen soaring the skies. At the time of morning services, flocks of Taiwan Blue Magpies can be seen gathering outside the Main Hall to sing together in harmony. This is how Dharma Drum Mountain‘s daily life is described by Master Guo Xian – no place without pleasant scenery, all through the day accompanied by the music of flowing, gurgling water.
She also gives an earnest reminder: “When you visit this ‘treasure mountain,’ do not go home empty-handed.” Listening to the stream and the rain and watching the breezes and mists, being on this mountain is not merely for spiritual practice, but also for healing.
Spiritual Practices: Blessings Ringing from the Lotus Bell
If interested in “a very different Chinese New Year experience,” come to Dharma Drum Mountain!
Since 2007, each year on New Year’s Eve a Dharma Bell Ringing Assembly has been held at the Lotus Bell tower, and has become one of DDM’s most iconic activities. The number “108” is commonly used in Buddhism, and on New Year’s Eve the bell is sounded 108 times, symbolizing the sweeping away of 108 kinds of human afflictions, the crossing of the threshold from the old into the new year, and the sweeping away of the old to bring in the new. Dharma Drum Mountain will also announce a special New Year theme, wishing for peace and harmony for all of mankind.
Master Guo Xian says that one of the original intentions for staging the event was the hope to change the nature of this traditional folk holiday, which is primarily celebrated through abundant eating and drinking. “The pure sound of the bell radiating across the mountain forest symbolizes our sending of a blessing for life, and for the world.” As the Lunar New Year arrives, take advantage of the opportunity to attend this unique year-crossing gathering of deep meaning, calming body and mind by listening to a sonorous bell’s music and bidding farewell to the old year.
The lower platform on the Lotus Bell tower also features a version of the Lotus Bell in miniature called the Yin Bell. On weekdays visitors are invited to sound this bell, helping to attain understanding. Maple trees have been planted all around Lotus Bell Park, painting the mountainside with red leaves in autumn in another of DDM’s dramatic artistic conceptions.
Getting There・Dharma Drum Mountain
Public transportation: From Taipei Main Station, East Gate 1, take Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport bus no. 1815 to the “Dharma Drum Mountain stop,” or take bus no. 863 from MRT Tamsui Station or bus no. 862 from Keelung Railway Station to the “Qingshui” stop, then take the DDM shuttle bus.
Self-drive: Take Provincial Highway No. 2 to approximately the 40km mark, where the DDM Emblem Rock marker is located.
Dharma Drum Mountain World Buddhist Education Park
No. 555, Fagu Rd., Jinshan Dist., New Taipei City 208, Taiwan
02-24987171 ext.1350～1355 (Tour Reservation)
fagushan.ddm.org.tw
