Experiencing Chinese Chan Buddhism Culture - Young Adults from North America Take a Study Tour to Dharma Drum Mountain

In order for North American college youth to experience Chinese Chan Buddhism culture and its practices, Venerable Chang Jyu from Dharma Drum Mountain Los Angeles Center (DDMBALA) accompanied 40 young students who came to Taiwan for a 7-day study tour starting from June 28th. The students visited four of DDM's Buddhist monasteries in northern Taiwan and the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, where they experienced the practice of sitting meditation, walking meditation while carrying alms-bowls filled with water, tea meditation, and so on.

Through Master Sheng Yen's vision of propagating the Dharma and his footprints, these North American college youth obtained a profound understanding about the process of how Chinese Chan Buddhism was spread in Taiwan, in addition to experiencing the Buddhadharma in their daily lives. They did so by visiting the Nung Chan Monastery in Beitou on whose walls are engraved the entire text of Diamond Sutra; touring the century-old Zhai Ming Monastery in Taoyuan which was classified as a Third-Grade Historic Site; meditating in the Tien Nan Monastery in Sanxia, which is renowned for its ideal environment for Chan practice; immersing in the beauty of the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education; and, finally, participating in tea meditation at the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts.

"This morning I sit two periods in this really beautiful area at Tien Nan Monastery." Mark Bodner remarked that, as a young American in the 21st century, he was very happy for the opportunity to join the study tour of Taiwanese Buddhist monasteries and learn the specific teachings, methodology and approach in the Dharma Drum School, so that he could clearly contemplate how the mind is functioning. He highly recognized DDM's contributions to promoting Chan practice. For him, it has been really exciting to see the synthesis of Japanese style monastery combined with Chinese style, all blended together into this current form of Dharma Drum Mountain.

After her visit to DDM Nung Chan Monastery, Mia Sha revised her prior impression of Buddhism. She reflected on her deep impression of Master Sheng Yen's long lasting influence towards the younger generations. Looking at the chronicles of Nung Chan Monastery and the recounts of the Master's past endeavors, she also indicated that, despite never meeting the Master personally, she could perceive his determination, kindness and compassion in leaving behind his invaluable legacy of doctrines and methods for the Taiwanese people, as well as the world at large.

Having grown up in a Buddhist family since very young, Chelsea Wong had hoped to visit Taiwan to personally experience Buddhadharma, and thereby acquire a better understanding of Master Sheng Yen's life. Seeing the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra engraved on the walls of Nung Chan Monastery, as well as the way that they reflect on the building, really touched her heart. Immersed in such a peaceful environment, partaking in walking meditation while carrying alms bowls filled with water induced a sense of tranquility in her mind.

Venerable Chang Jyu stated that, after the successful completion of last year's "Chan Buddhism Camp" at the Dharma Drum Retreat Center in New York, plans were made to lead North American college youth to Taiwan in search of their religious roots. Doing so helped the students obtain a deeper understanding of Chinese Chan Buddhism culture, as well as have interactive communications with the students of the Dharma Drum Sangha University and Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts. Chinese Chan Buddhism emphasizes that Chan practice is not only about sitting meditation, but, rather, integrating Chan into regular daily activities. It is hoped that through this study tour to Buddhist monasteries and temples in Taiwan, these students may acquire more fruitful life experiences.