Dharma Drum Mountain Farmer Zen Temple Introduction
Dhammakaya Mountain was developed from the "Chinese Buddhist Cultural Center" and "Nong Chan Temple" founded by Master Dongchu. In 1955, Master Dongchu constructed the Chinese Buddhist Cultural Center in Beitou to promote Buddhist culture and organize winter relief efforts. In 1971, he led his disciples to cultivate the Guandu Plain, and in 1975, a farmhouse was completed and inaugurated. Master Dongchu named this place "Nong Chan Temple," emphasizing "meditation as the main practice, agriculture as the means of living." In 1977, Master Dongchu passed away peacefully and entrusted Master Sheng Yen to inherit the Dharma lineage, taking over as abbot of the Chinese Buddhist Cultural Center and Nong Chan Temple, dedicated to promoting Buddhist teachings and meditation practices. Due to the increasing number of followers, in order to find a location for a temple that would be sustainable, stable, and promising for the future, Master Sheng Yen officially announced in July 1989 that the new temple in Jinshan would be named "Dhammakaya Mountain" and outlined a clear blueprint for the future construction of the temple—aiming to function in education, culture, and Dharma propagation, providing a good environment for general believers to practice Buddhism and purify body and mind, using Buddhist teachings to stabilize people's hearts and society. (Source: Dhammakaya Mountain_Nong Chan Temple Official Website) Architectural features: The architecture of Dhammakaya Mountain Nong Chan Temple integrates elements of traditional Zen temples with modern design, seamlessly blending with the surrounding natural environment. The overall architectural style is simple and unadorned, focusing on openness of space and the introduction of natural light, aiming to create a harmonious and tranquil environment for practice and living.
