Dharma Drum Mountain Farm Zen Monastery Introduction
Dharmagates Mountain was developed from the "Chinese Buddhist Culture Hall" and "Nongchan Temple" established by Master Dongchu. In 1955, Master Dongchu built the Chinese Buddhist Culture Hall in Beitou to promote Buddhist culture and provide winter relief. In 1971, he led his disciples to cultivate and develop the Guandu Plain, and in 1975, a farmhouse was completed and inaugurated. Master Dongchu named this place "Nongchan Temple" with the philosophy of "Zen practice as the main focus, farming for livelihood." In 1977, Master Dongchu passed away peacefully and entrusted Master Sheng Yen to carry on the Dharma lineage, taking over the leadership of the Chinese Buddhist Culture Hall and Nongchan Temple, dedicated to promoting Buddhism and Zen practice. Due to the increasing number of followers, and in search of a permanent, stable, and future-oriented temple construction site, Master Sheng Yen officially announced in July 1989 that the new temple in Jinshan would be named "Dharmagates Mountain," outlining a clear blueprint for the temple's future development - focusing on education, culture, and the propagation of the Dharma, providing an excellent environment for the general public to practice Buddhism and purify body and mind, using Buddhist teachings to stabilize people's hearts and society. (Source: Dharmagates Mountain_Nongchan Temple official website) Architectural Features The architecture of Dharmagates Mountain Nongchan Temple integrates elements of traditional Zen Buddhist temples with modern design, skillfully blending with the surrounding natural environment. The overall architectural style is simple and unpretentious, emphasizing openness and natural light, aimed at creating a harmonious and tranquil space for practice and living.
