About Dharma Drum Mountain
DDRC - meditation session
About The Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association.
DDMBA is committed to serving humanity by working to relieve the various forms of human suffering — physical, emotional and spiritual. It’s programs range from international dialogues on peace building in regions of conflict to classes on methods of cultivating peace within. One of DDMBA’s primary functions is to support scholarly research in the field of Buddhism, particularly the Chan tradition, instructing and encouraging Buddhist practitioners through its centers in the United States.
DDMBA’s international activities include the organization of seminars and conferences that enhance understanding and respect between different cultures and religions. It also initiates programs for environmental protection, leadership training for young adults, and it provides charitable aid to those in need.
More information about our organization can be found at http://ddmba.org/
- About Master Sheng-Yen
Although well-known as the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, Master Sheng-Yen says, “I am just an ordinary monk.” This modesty is genuine if somewhat misleading, since his disciples and students throughout the world see him as much more than ordinary. Indeed, Master Sheng-Yen’s personal manner is that of an ordinary monk. But his ability to expound Buddhism to modern audiences in a way that is both accessible and useful places him in the lineage of great teachers going back to the Buddha.
Despite being firmly rooted in his native Chinese culture, language, and Chan Buddhism, Master Sheng-Yen early in his career was determined to play a role in bringing Buddhism to the West. Starting as a 13-year old monk near Shanghai, Master Sheng-Yen’s career took him from China, to Japan, and ultimately to the United States — to the Bronx and later, the Queens sections of New York City.
With practice Centers in upstate New York as well as Queens, and chapters throughout the West, Master Sheng-Yen’s message has taken root. Not one to rest on his laurels, in his late seventies, Master Sheng-Yen continues to present retreats, give Dharma lectures, publish books, and produce stunningly beautiful Chinese calligraphy.
In 2007, the Master was honored through the establishment of the Sheng Yen Chair in Chinese Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, in cooperation with the Sheng-Yen Education Foundation.
More Information about Shifu (“master”):
Ideas and Applications
- The Common Ethos of Dharma Drum Mountain
Our vision: to uplift the character of humanity and build a pure land on earth.
Our spirit: to give of ourselves for the benefit of all.
Our direction: to return to the original intention of the Buddha and work for the purification of the world.
Our approach: to promote comprehensive education and extend loving care to all.
- The Three Types of Education
Education through Academics
Education through Public Outreach
Education through Caring Services
- Four Kinds of Environmentalism
o Protecting the Spiritual EnvironmentChan Meditation
The Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaigno Protecting the Natural Environment
Recognizing blessings
Cherishing blessings
Nurturing blessings
Sowing the seeds of blessingso Protecting the Living Environment
Our wants are many
Our needs are few
Pursue only what you can and should acquire
Never pursue what you can’t and shouldn’t acquireo Protecting the Social Environment
The Six Ethics of the Mind
Buddhist-Style Joint Weddings
Buddhist-Style Joint Birthday Celebration for the Elderly
Buddhist-Style Joint Natural Funerals
- The Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign
—A Proposition for Living in the Twenty-first Centuryo Four Fields for Cultivating Peace:
—A Proposition for Uplifting the Character of HumanityCultivating a peaceful mind lies in reducing desires
Cultivating a peaceful body lies in hard work and thrift
Cultivating a peaceful family lies in love and respect
Cultivating peaceful activity lies in being honest and uprighto Four Guidelines for Dealing with Desires:
—A Proposition for Living a Carefree LifeOur needs are few
Our wants are many
Pursue only what you can and should acquire
Never pursue what you can’t and shouldn’t acquireo Four Steps for Handling a Problem:
—A Proposition for Resolving the Difficulties of LifeFace it: face the difficulty squarely
Accept it: accept the reality of the difficulty
Deal with it: deal with the difficulty with wisdom and compassion
Let it go: afterwards, let go of ito Four Practices for Helping Oneself and Others:
—A Proposition for Getting Along with OthersFeeling grateful for the chance to develop
Feeling thankful for the opportunity to hone your practice
Reforming yourself through the Dharma
Influencing others through virtuous actiono Four Ways to Cultivate Blessings:
—A Proposition for Increasing BlessingsRecognizing blessings is the greatest happiness
Cherishing blessings is the best way of saving
Nurture blessings, and you’ll always be blessed
Sow the seeds of blessings that blessings may be shared by all
- The Six Ethics of the Mind
Family Ethics
Living Ethics
School Ethics
Environmental Ethics
Workplace Ethics
Ethics between Ethnic Groups
- The Common Endeavor of Buddhists Have faith in the Buddha, follow the Dharma, respect the Sangha;
The Three Jewels are a bright lamp shining throughout eternity.
Uplift the character of humanity
And build a pure land on earth
Being grateful, repaying kindness: this is first;
Benefit others and you benefit yourself.
Foremost is to exert your wholehearted effort
Without measuring more or less.
Kindness and compassion have no enemies,
And wisdom engenders no vexations.
The busy make the most of time;
The diligent enjoy the best of health.
In broadly sowing the fields of merit,
Why fear any hardship or rebuke?
Those who give selflessly are blessed;
Those who do good deeds are happy.
In every moment feel the joy of the Dharma,
And abide in the bliss of meditation.
Recite “Guanyin Bodhisattva” everywhere
And chant “Amitabha Buddha” without end.
About Dharma Drum Retreat Center.
Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) is a community learning and living the Duddha’s teachings through the tradition of the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism, as established by Chan Master Sheng-yen.
We welcome you to practice Chan meditation together with us amidst all activities of daily life; cultivating mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion.
People come from near and far to study and practice Chan, receive support from the community, deepen their understanding of themselves, and learn to live more harmoniously with others. They leave rejuvenated, equipped with the methods and concepts to bring the practice back home. For more information, please visit the DDRC website.
