Dharma Drum Mountain Introduction
Fagu Mountain is located in the Sanjieli area of Jinshan District, New Taipei City, sitting on a hillside at the intersection of the North Coastal Highway and Yangjin Highway. The architecture, primarily in shades of brown, gray, and white, is a tribute to the Earth, reflecting the calm and stable characteristics of Buddhism. Here, Master Sheng Yen gathered the merits of devotees from all directions to establish the Fagu Mountain World Buddhist Education Park, which integrates education, practice, and culture. Along the route to Fagu Mountain, there are three pilgrimage trails: the Streamside Pilgrimage Trail, the Wishful Pilgrimage Trail, and the Pilgrimage Boardwalk. The scenic views along the trails are surrounded by mountains, offering beautiful scenery with birds singing and flowers blooming. Travelers visiting Jinshan are encouraged to take a walk at Fagu Mountain to experience the atmosphere away from worldly hustle and bustle. The azaleas under the Wishful Hall bloom every March, and along the Wishful Trail, visitors can be surrounded by pure white azalea flowers. Following this, the tree commonly known as "April Snow" appears, and in May and June, the native Taiwanese "Tiger Lily" blooms, offering beautiful floral views in different seasons. The term "Fagu" originates from the "Lotus Sutra": "We only wish for the heavenly beings to respect and turn the unsurpassed Dharma wheel, strike the great Dharma drum, and blow the great Dharma conch, causing the great Dharma rain to fall, liberating innumerable sentient beings; we all humbly request to hear this profound and distant sound." It signifies the hope that the sound of Dharma can help those who do not understand it, to understand, and for those who have never seen the Dharma to see it. It is anticipated that everyone can benefit from the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, soaking in the rain of compassion and wisdom, turning human society into a healthy, peaceful, and harmonious paradise. Travelers visiting Jinshan are advised to stroll around Fagu Mountain to feel the serene atmosphere away from the complexities of the world.
