DDM Emblem Rock

Inscribed on an andesite rock, the emblem was inspired by the Vitarka Mudra (hand gesture of teaching) of the Buddha turning the Dharma Wheel.  ​It serves as a landmark showing the location of the center, and also as a signpost to a pure land on earth.  The Emblem Rock is 4 meters high and weighs 65 tons. It is an andesite rock and the emblem and the three Chinese characters of the name of the Dharma Drum Mountain (Fa Ku Shan, in Chinese) are inscribed on it. This emblem, which the visitor sees as soon as they enter the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education, is inspired by the Vitarka mudra (gesture of Dharma explanation) that comes from the first turn of the Dharma wheel of the Buddha Shakyamuni when he preached his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths in the Gazelle Park at Sarnath.