Ohmmmmm…
Today we had the chance to visit Dharma Drum Mountain, one of the four biggest monasteries in Taiwan. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was calm and welcoming. Our hosts were just as enthusiastic to have us there as we were to be there, setting a peaceful and open tone for the day ahead.
We began right away with a welcome and introduction from our host, who explained a bit about the team hosting us. It’s worth noting that Dharma Drum Mountain is divided into two parts, the monastery itself, and the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA), the campus where our experience took place. Our hosts were part of the DILA team.
The introduction session gave us a brief overview of the monastery’s mission and goals, its founder Master Sheng Yen, and the structure of the institute. DILA offers three major programs, but students are welcome to take courses across all three areas of study, allowing for a more well-rounded educational experience.
Soon after, we transitioned into a short breathing exercise to ground ourselves before heading into our main meditation session, one of the most anticipated parts of the day.
We experienced three types of meditation, all new to me. We started with slow walking meditation, something I’ve mentioned in a previous post. But experiencing it firsthand was completely different, it pushed me to move against my natural instincts and become conscious of each step, each breath. It was an intentional slowing down of my body and mind.
Next was rain walking meditation, where we stepped outside into the light drizzle. Listening to the raindrops, feeling the coolness on the water on our skin, and hearing the splash of water underfoot, it was deeply calming. There was something uniquely grounding about being present in nature, in silence, under the rain.
The third and final type was sound meditation, and I have to say, it was my favorite. As humans, there are moments when we want to scream, to release everything we’ve bottled up inside. But society often tells us to keep it all together. During this meditation, I was finally able to let go through sound. It was healing in a way that’s hard to describe.
Afterward, we sat down for a reflection circle, tea, snacks, cushions on the floor, and honest sharing. We reflected on our meditation experiences, and it felt good to simply be, without pressure, just soaking in the calm.
Lunch followed, and then we had an information session where we learned more about the four major monasteries in Taiwan and dove deeper into the life and legacy of Master Sheng Yen. One particularly interesting fact, despite being an ordained monk, Master Sheng Yen was still required to serve in the army. He was told that he either had to disrobe and serve or face excommunication. It was a fascinating glimpse into how even religious figures are subject to national duties.
We then moved into a Q&A session with two nuns and a monk. It was eye-opening to hear about their daily routines, personal journeys, and the values they uphold within Buddhism. Listening to their experiences helped bridge the gap between curiosity and understanding.
My second favorite part of the day came next, tea meditation. During this serene session, we were served tea by graduate students from DILA. We tasted three types of tea, two varieties of oolong and one oriental tea. Each was aromatic, soothing, and absolutely delicious.
Overall, I deeply enjoyed this visit. It offered me a rare opportunity to gain insight into the daily life of a monastic, and allowed me to immerse myself in practices quite different from my own background. It was peaceful, reflective, and enriching in a quiet, subtle way.
Thanks so much for following along, until next time, talk to y’all later. Bye!
