Dharma Drum Mountain Nung Chan Monastery Introduction
Dharmagaya Mountain was developed from the "Chinese Buddhist Culture Center" and "Nongchan Temple" founded by Master Dongchu. In 1955, Master Dongchu built the Chinese Buddhist Culture Center in Beitou to promote Buddhist culture and initiate winter relief efforts. In 1971, he led his disciples to clear and cultivate land in Guandu Plain, and in 1975, a farmhouse was completed. Master Dongchu named this place "Nongchan Temple," emphasizing "meditation as the core, farming as a livelihood." In 1977, Master Dongchu passed away peacefully and entrusted Master Sheng Yen to inherit the Dharma work, taking over as the abbot of the Chinese Buddhist Culture Center and Nongchan Temple, dedicated to promoting Buddhist teachings and meditation. Due to the increasing number of followers, and in search of a more permanent, stable, and future-oriented temple site, in July 1989, Master Sheng Yen officially announced the new temple in Jinshan would be named "Dharmagaya Mountain," outlining a clear blueprint for future development: to serve educational, cultural, and religious functions, providing a good environment for practitioners to cultivate Buddhist teachings and purify body and mind, utilizing Buddhism to stabilize hearts and society. (Source: Dharmagaya Mountain Nongchan Temple Official Website) Architectural Features The architecture of Dharmagaya Mountain Nongchan Temple combines elements of traditional Zen Buddhist temples with modern design, skillfully integrating with the surrounding natural environment. The overall architectural style is simple and unadorned, focusing on open space and the introduction of natural light, aiming to create a harmonious and tranquil space for practice and living.
