Experience sharing
The Reflection Report from the Dharma Drum Retreat Center by Tzu-Chin Lee (Stacie)
This is my mindful journey during the summer break. I appreciated Venerable YanQi, who invited me to be a volunteer for the event of life in the retreat center. When I arrived at Dharma Drum Retreat Center, I was peaceful in the quiet environment and the view, similar to entering another world, contrary to the big city in New York. It was my first time participating in a meditation event in English. I learned some professional vocabulary used in Buddhism. I felt pleasure and gratitude sinc...
Returning to Stillness: A Quiet Transformation— A 7-day retreat reflection by Helen
I don't remember the last time I truly saw a tree, not just glanced, but really saw it. One afternoon during the retreat, after a period of silence, I stood beneath the leaves as they shimmered like stars, moving gently in the wind. For a moment, the world felt suspended. A deep stillness washed over me, and it was a peace I'd never known. It was quiet and grounding. The usual noise in my mind faded, and the wind on my skin reminded me: I wasn't separate, I was simply here. &nb...
Self-Reflection on a One-Day Retreat
On June 22, I had the privilege of attending a one-day retreat. The reason I wanted to participate was really simple. I just wanted to spend some time organizing my thoughts without distractions and learn how to get along with my own thoughts. I didn't really concern myself with anything else. I know my reason for participating in this retreat is probably different from many others around me, but spending the day in silence, surrounded by people who were very good at meditation, made me f...
DDM Sydney 2025 CNY Feb 2 Tea Meditation Personal Reflection by Joel Goh
As the hot water poured into the cup, I watched as the tea leaves swirled gracefully, emitting steam and releasing warmth into my cupped hands along with a delicate hint of tea fragrance. In the background, the facilitator's gentle voice guided us, but I was lost in thoughts and simply stared blankly at the cup in front of me. It wasn't until when I suddenly realised that the tea leaves had changed shape and colour that I realised I had been daydreaming. What surprised me the...
Gilbert 7 Days Retreat Sharing by Kit Leung
It is an amazing retreat with teacher Gilbert. He was using funny and easy ways to describe Buddhism theory and logic. Directly show us an example like him that could be possible and successfully using Buddhism in our daily life. Everyone can do it and make me feel so confident in myself. Also a good demonstration how different backgrounds or living standards people can be the same. Just align the dharma and what the sutra told us. Keep doing better everyday, focusing on every moment that we ...
Reflection for the Seven-day Bilingual Retreat with Gilbert by Péter
Generally it was a really good experience for me. The atmosphere of the DDM is magical. But it's not a magical thing. It's "just" great compassion, which comes from the deep realization. You can see the great compassion on the monastics, on the volunteers, on the temples and statues, and the wonderful environment. The organisation of the retreat was perfect! "We were the rice at the bowl, and they were the bowl" everyone helped us to grow, and ...
Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre - Senior Home Volunteering Self-Reflection
It was a windy and rainy day on November 16th, the kind of weather that made you want to stay indoors, wrapped in warmth. Yet, as Venerable Chang Xun and 14 DDYP Youth members stepped into the Pinegrove Place senior care home that afternoon, the atmosphere was anything but gloomy. I was there as a demonstrator for a seated yoga and meditation session, a role that filled me with both excitement and nervousness. My goal was to help create a moment of calm and connection for the seniors, many of...
A Journey of Healing and Transformation — DDVC 7-Day Silent Illumination Retreat Reflection by James Tejero
From October 25 to November 1, 2024 I had the privilege of participating in a Silent Illumination retreat that left a profound impact on my meditation practice and sense of well being. Having practiced meditation intermittently for two decades, my journey has been marked by periods of dedicated practice and times of challenge, particularly as I've dealt with physical injuries that limited my ability to sit comfortably. Yet, during this retreat, under the guidance of the compassionate...
Rediscovering the Joy of Meditation: A Transformative Experience of Wisdom and Stability
In 2017, I stumbled into my first meditation session unprepared, drawn more by curiosity than expectation. Little did I know that this serendipitous encounter with a silent 5-day Theravada Buddhism meditation retreat would profoundly shift my perspective. Immersed in introspection, I confronted the fundamental question, "Who am I?" as I navigated the intricacies of self-awareness and the impermanence of existence. Fast forward to a recent meditation class at Dharma Drum Mount...
Personal Reflections about the 49-day Retreat by Grant Sheen
I just graduated from Stanford University. This was the first time in my life that I stayed in the monastery as a volunteer. I came to the DDM headquarters chan hall to support the 49-day retreat. Here are some of my reflections: Sharing Today I did a lot of volunteer work and participated in the final sharing. I just stood in front of everyone and shared, haha! It was pretty cool. I shared 3 learnings I had from the perspective of someone who grew up in the West. First, letting...