Dharma Drum Mountain Introduction
Dharma Drum Mountain is located in Sanjie Village, Jinshan District, New Taipei City, situated on a hillside at the intersection of the North Coast Scenic Highway and Yangjin Highway. The architecture primarily features shades of brown, gray, and white, reflecting a tribute to the earth and embodying the stable and serene characteristics of Buddhism. Here, Master Sheng Yen gathered the merits of devotees from all directions to build an integrated world Buddhist Education Park, combining education, practice, and culture. Along the road to Dharma Drum Mountain, there are three pilgrimage trails: the Streamside Pilgrimage Trail, the Praying Pilgrimage Trail, and the Pilgrimage Boardwalk. The scenic trails are surrounded by mountains on three sides, offering beautiful views with fragrant flowers and singing birds. Visitors to Jinshan should consider taking a trip to Dharma Drum Mountain to experience an atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The azaleas under the Prayer Hall bloom in March each year, and along the Prayer Trail, one can be surrounded by a sea of pure white azaleas. Following this, the tree commonly known as "April Snow," the Chinese redbud, makes its appearance, and in May and June, the native Taiwanese species "Bitter Lily" is in bloom, presenting beautiful floral sights in every season. The term "Dharma Drum" comes from the "Lotus Sutra": "We wish for the heavenly beings to turn the unsurpassed Dharma wheel, strike the great Dharma drum, and blow the great Dharma conch, showering down the great Dharma rain to benefit countless sentient beings, so that we may all return and request to perform the profound and far-reaching sound." This signifies the desire for the sound of the Dharma drum to help those who do not understand the Dharma comprehend it and for those who have never encountered it to see it, hoping that everyone can benefit from the Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, allowing people to bathe in the rain of compassion and wisdom, transforming society into a healthy, peaceful, and harmonious paradise. Visitors to Jinshan should take the opportunity to visit Dharma Drum Mountain and experience its tranquil ambiance.
