Inauguration of the Center and Establishing of the Dharma Drum Lineage: A Shared Vow of Inheritance and Innovation

Inauguration of the Center and Establishing of the Dharma Drum Lineage: A Shared Vow of Inheritance and Innovation

The year 2025 marks both the 20th anniversary of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education's inauguration and the 20th year of establishing the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism.
Currently, the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education and the Nung Chan Monastery are each hosting a commemorative exhibition – The Dharma Center of Avalokiteśvara: Walking Together the Path of a Shared Vow" and "The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism: Inheriting the Past and Inspiring the Future", respectively. Together, the two exhibitions invite visitors to embark on a journey into the vows and aspirations that shaped the inauguration of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education and the establishment of the Dharma Drum lineage.

Original text in Chinese: Chen Mei-Chuan (陳玫娟)
Photos: Dharma Drum Monthly No. 423 (法鼓雜誌423期)


Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education

Dharma Center of Avalokiteśvara: Walking Together the Path of a Shared Vow

"The inauguration of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education was by no means my accomplishment alone; it was made possible through the collective efforts of all who contributed……" These words from Dharma Drum Mountain founder Master Sheng Yen, spoken at the October 21, 2005--the day on which the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education was inaugurated--are played in the special exhibition "Dharma Center of Avalokiteśvara: Walking Together the Path of a Shared Vow" at the Activity Room of the Building II. In the video, Master Sheng Yen conveys his profound gratitude to all who participated in the inauguration ceremony and supported Dharma Drum Mountain.

The exhibition "Dharma Center of Avalokiteśvara: Walking Together the Path of a Shared Vow" is the first to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education's inauguration. As visitors walk through the exhibition, each precious photograph opens a window into the past. In doing so, it gradually reveals the journey of establishing Dharma Drum Mountain that began over thirty years ago.

The exhibition is presented in four sections: "Evolving Landscapes", "The Path of Founding", "Original Aspiration: The Most Breathtaking Scenery of Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education", and "With Gratitude to the Founder: Carrying the Vows Forward Together". In the section "Evolving Landscapes", through images contrasting past and present, visitors can witness a striking transformation: where barren hills and trickling streams once lay in the early years, verdant forests and rushing waters now flourish. Iconic landmarks of the Center such as the Seven Banyan Trees and the Lotus Bell Tower also testify to how, over the past twenty years, this land has been nurtured into a living Pure Land on earth.

The founding of Dharma Drum Mountain was envisioned as a means to awaken the "treasure mountain of wisdom" from within every person. In the section "The Path of Founding," visitors can retrace the journey led by Master Sheng Yen – from seeking out the land, laying the foundation of the Gran Buddha Hall, enshrining sacred objects, celebrating the inauguration of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education, and holding the Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service. The story continues beyond Master Sheng Yen's passing, as monastics and lay disciples carry on the vision through the Threefold Education and the Four Kinds of Environmentalism.

"Original Aspiration: The Most Breathtaking Scenery of Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education" showcases the photo albums of senior photographer Lee Fan (李東陽), whose lens has captured volunteers at countless events and in every corner of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education over the past two decades. Their wholehearted dedication, often offered in silence, emerges as the most moving scenery found in the Center. Finally, in the section "With Gratitude to the Founder: Carrying the Vows Forward Together", precious photographs of the early pioneers – faces at once joyful and resolute – continue to inspire all to take part in the collective vow of bringing this Pure Land on earth to every person.

▲The devoted presence of volunteers.

▲The exhibition "The Dharma Center of Avalokiteśvara: Walking Together the Path of a Shared Vow" recounts the affinity between Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva and the founding of Dharma Drum Mountain.

Nung Chan Monastery
The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism: Inheriting the Past and Inspiring the Future

▲On display at the exhibition is Master Sheng Yen's handwritten manuscript "Chart of Transmission and Development of Chinese Chan Buddhism."

On September 2, 2005, Master Sheng Yen conducted the first Dharma transmission ceremony of the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism at the Nung Chan Monastery. This year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of both the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education's inauguration and of the Dharma transmission ceremony, Nung Chan Monastery presents the special exhibition "The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism: Inheriting the Past and Inspiring the Future." Why did Master Sheng Yen establish this lineage? What are the sources, methods and practices of the Dharma Drum Lineage, and how does it uphold tradition while embracing innovation? Through an immersive exhibition design, visitors are invited to embark on a journey to uncover step-by-step the profound depth and enduring richness of the Dharma Drum Lineage.

"The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism defines the identity of Dharma Drum Mountain's transmission. I have integrated practice methods and their content from both past and present, from Taiwan and beyond, thereby establishing the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism." Displayed at the entrance of the exhibition, Master Sheng Yen's words clearly convey the purpose behind the founding of the Dharma Drum lineage. As visitors step into the exhibition, they can discover how the Dharma Drum lineage has inherited the Linji and Caodong traditions, while also integrating traditional Chan practices from India and China. In addition, the lineage draws references from Chan teachings in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as practice methods from the Theravāda and Tibetan traditions. While the Dharma Drum Lineage carries on tradition, it also brings innovation. Therefore, Master Sheng Yen saw the need to establish the Dharma Drum Lineage.  

▲The special exhibition "The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism: Inheriting the Past and Inspiring the Future" is displayed at the Original Farmhouse.

Displayed alongside Master Sheng Yen's bold calligraphy – "The Dharma Drum Lineage that brings Chinese Chan Buddhism to every corner of the world" – is the manuscript of the "Chart of Transmission and Development of Chinese Chan Buddhism", drafted by Master Sheng Yen in 1998 in New York and later refined by his disciples. This chart clearly illustrates the Chinese Chan Buddhism upon which the Dharma Drum Lineage is founded — a comprehensive integration of Indian Buddhism and the doctrinal teachings of China's Tiantai and Huayan schools — giving rise to a range of accessible entry methods such as silent illumination, huatou, and Buddha-name recitation.

The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism's practice method is grounded in the "gradual progress within sudden enlightenment". It preserves the hallmark of sudden-enlightenment practices such as Huatou and silent illumination, while also introducing sequential, gradual cultivation within the sudden approach. The widely recognized concept of protecting the spiritual environment is the actual practice of the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism, as well as the Chan school’s core spirit of integrating teachings into daily life. Master Sheng Yen transformed the Chan teachings into modern, accessible language, giving rise to practices such as the "Four Kinds of Environmentalism" and the "Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign." These practices embody the master's purpose in founding the Dharma Drum Lineage
 – to inspire monastics and lay disciples to carry on the mission of propagating and revitalizing Chinese Chan Buddhism, thereby bringing benefits to all sentient beings.

▲Through an immersive experience, visitors are guided to explore both the heritage and the innovations of the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism.

The 20th Anniversary Exhibition of the inauguration of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education

The Dharma Center of Avalokiteśvara: Walking Together the Path of a Shared Vow

【Exhibition Venue】Activity Room of the Building II
【Exhibition Dates】2025/1/1～12/31
【Opening Hours】9：00～16：00

The Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism: Inheriting the Past and Inspiring the Future

【Exhibition Venue】Ground floor of the Original Farmhouse of the Nung Chan Monastery
【Exhibition Dates 】2025/1/1～12/31
【Opening Hours】9：00～16：30

Series of Reports: The 20th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education
 
Fulfillment of Collective Aspirations: The World Center for Buddhist Education
 
Original text in Chinese: Editorial Office
Photos: Dharma Drum Monthly No. 423

▲The Great Vow Bridge connects the university complex and symbolizes the collective aspiration that gave rise to the World Center for Buddhist Education (photo by Lee Fan 李東陽).
 
Founded by Master Sheng Yen, the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education has, since its inauguration in 2005, entered its second decade.

Through the convergence of causes and conditions and the dedication of the Fourfold Assemblies*, what began as a vow to share the Dharma and to promote The Threefold Buddhist education has transformed a once desolate wilderness into a Pure Land on earth.
 
*Bhikṣu (monks), Bhikṣuṇī (nuns), Upāsaka (lay male devotee), and Upāsikā (lay female devotee)

The path of establishing the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education was arduous, yet every step was grounded and steadfast. From securing the site, surveying and drafting the blueprints, undergoing countless applications and reviews, to doing land preparation and groundbreaking, laying the foundation of the Gran Buddha Hall and enshrining sacred objects, raising the Grand Buddha Hall's ridge beam, and finally celebrating the inauguration, over the course of sixteen years, the Fourfold Assembly has followed the founder's vision and ideals, supporting the construction of Dharma Drum Mountain while also cultivating the Dharma Drum Mountain within their own hearts. Anyone who has taken part in building Dharma Drum Mountain or in promoting its ideals is a pioneer. This pioneering path is one that you and I will carry on together, united in aspiration, continuing forward hand in hand.

│Documentary photographs of the Founding of DDM│From One to Many
 
▼ The origins of Dharma Drum Mountain trace back to Master Sheng Yen's vow to spread the Dharma and to promote Buddhist education. Pictured in 1989, Master Sheng Yen gazed across the newly secured land that would one day become Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education.

 
▼ From 1989 onward, Master Sheng Yen, alongside devoted supporters to the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies, surveyed every inch of the mountain, thereby crafting a shared vision for the future of Dharma Drum Mountain.


▼ In 1996, the ceremony for laying the foundation of the Gran Buddha Hall and enshrining sacred objects in the Underground Palace was held, heralding Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education as a millennium-spanning Dharma center that dedicates to awaken the "treasure mountain of wisdom" from within every person and promote comprehensive education.


▼ In 2001, the first phase of construction at Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education was completed. The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies and Dharma Drum Sangha University held their joint opening ceremony, marking a new milestone in extensive academic education.

 
▼In 2005, Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education held its inauguration ceremony. All devotees witnessing the ceremony chanted the Great Compassion Dharani in unison, vowing together to cultivate the inner treasure from within with the spirit of the "rising great compassion".

 
▼ Ever since its inauguration, the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education has become a model site for people from around the world to receive spiritual environmentalism education and to put into practice the vision of creating a Pure Land on earth.





Related articles: 

An Invitation for All Devotees to Return to Their Roots

Inauguration of the Center and Establishing of the Dharma Drum Lineage: A Shared Vow of Inheritance and Innovation

20th Anniversary of the Inauguration of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education

A Blueprint for World Buddhism: Venerable Guo Shing (果興法師) Discusses Master Sheng Yen's Founding Mission

Dharma Drum Mountain 20th Anniversary Gratitude Ceremony "Myriad Practices • Original Aspiration" Program Overview

Resource: Dharma Drum Monthly No. 423
Photo: Dharma Drum Monthly No. 423, Lee Fan (李東陽)
Translation: Claire 
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL