Editor's Note
In October 2025, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the formal inauguration of its main complex with a week-long pilgrimage that brought together over 195 Buddhist practitioners from around the world. The journey included the anniversary ceremony at Dharma Drum Mountain Headquarters and visits to DDM monasteries across Taiwan.

The reflections that follow—by Chintan Desai, Alan Myers, and Tim Serio—capture the transformative spirit of this pilgrimage. Through their unique personal accounts, readers will discover how Master Sheng Yen's vision continues to inspire practitioners, how warmly DDM’s volunteers embody the teachings, and how encountering the Dharma in the places where it has taken root in Taiwan leaves a lasting impact. Contributed by Chintan Desai, Alan Myers, and Tim Serio and edited by Edward Lin.

— ✦ —

By Chintan Desai

As my first time in Taiwan, I was truly humbled and lucky to be part of this spiritual, kinship, and culinary experience. The power of the volunteers’ happy demeanors made the tight schedule and tiring journey something to look forward to each day.

Stepping into the world of Dharma and exploring the beautiful island of Taiwan with over 195 Buddhist disciples, we gathered from around the globe to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dharma Drum Mountain.

As described by a volunteer guide at Zhaiming Monastery, Master Sheng Yen wanted the monasteries and temples to be demure, expressed in a palette of gray, light gray, and dark gray. This was so that the structures did not overpower; instead, their purpose would remain the primary focus. This struck a strong chord with me as we explored Nung Chan Monastery, Tiannan Monastery, Zhaiming Monastery, Yunji Monastery, Ziyun Monastery and Baoyun Monastery.

The simplicity of their architecture and well-defined spaces frees the mind to self-reflect and to appreciate the elements of nature interspersed throughout these complexes. Old, vibrant trees; sculptures and idols; and nature trails — with fog, wind, rain and clean air — lift one’s awareness of the beautiful world we live in and deepen one’s sensitivity to nature in Taiwan.

On the first two days, we explored the Dharma Drum Mountain, attending a vegetarian feast for the anniversary donated graciously by bodhisattvas. On the second day, during the grand ceremony, we learned about the importance of the Dharma in the Master’s voice; the careful process of selecting the Buddha statues; the reverence shown by the performing artists; and the abbot’s teaching. We also learned about the initiative to protect the spiritual environment—how respecting ourselves enables us to respect others and the planet.

We attended different services at all the monasteries and were fed the best vegetarian food prepared by the volunteers. We took time to explore the temples and their architecture. We were educated by the fashis’ explanations of the history of each temple and the Dharma.

Besides this, we also explored a few tourist spots. These experiences helped enhance the five senses and made us more aware of ourselves and our being. We visited a tea factory and browsed art galleries in repurposed sugar-factory warehouses. We walked through the forest and bicycled through the rice fields.

This experience will remain a lifetime memory for many of us. Each moment and each visit taught us that nothing is permanent. Live each moment and savor it throughout our lives.

— ✦ —

By Alan Myers

This was my first trip to Taiwan and the Dharma Drum Mountain Headquarters. Aside from the scale of the buildings and the property, what made the biggest impression on me was the joy and sense of generosity that was evident in each person I met on the trip. Whether they were fellow travelers, monastics, or the many Dharma Drum Mountain volunteers, everyone was very welcoming.

The trip started at the Headquarters, where we stayed until Monday. During our stay, we were privileged to attend a large banquet and the 20th Anniversary Celebration. We also had the opportunity to wake up early and go to the Chan Hall to meditate and take part in the morning service. Although there was quite a bit of rain in this early part of the trip, I particularly enjoyed the tours around the grounds and seeing the fruition of Master Sheng Yen’s vision for the site.

Venerable formed an umbrella-tunnel while our buses arrived at Nung Chan Monastery.

When we left the Headquarters on Monday morning, it was literally pouring rain, and we needed to get all our travelers and our luggage into the waiting buses. In an effort that would repeat itself several times on our trip, the volunteers happily created a tunnel of umbrellas that allowed both luggage and travelers to make their way to the buses and stay relatively dry. I will have this image in my mind for quite some time.

Once on board the buses, the next phase of our pilgrimage began. This phase was a masterpiece of organization that had six busloads of people traveling along the coast of Taiwan over the span of seven days. Each day’s temple visits, meals, fun activities and hotel stays were all planned and executed by the dedicated volunteers and monastics who accompanied us on our trip.

— ✦ —

By Tim Serio

The Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) pilgrimage to Taiwan was a deeply meaningful and transformative experience for me, one that has strengthened my Buddhist path in ways I did not expect. Although I never had the chance to meet or practice directly with Master Sheng Yen, I have a deep respect for him. This trip allowed me to truly feel his presence. Seeing what he built and witnessing his teachings reflected in the venerables, volunteers, and fellow practitioners made me realize how powerfully his legacy continues to thrive. His compassion and wisdom seem alive in their actions, their smiles, and their gentle encouragement.

Visiting the different temples throughout Taiwan was inspiring. The similarities among them made it clear that they are unified by a single lineage and mission. Yet each site had its own unique history and energy. Out of all the places we visited, the DDM Headquarters and Nung Chan Monastery had the strongest impact on me. At Nung Chan Monastery, seeing the original Chan Hall, Shifu’s living quarters, and the Heart Sutra and Diamond Sutra inscriptions was incredibly moving. It was especially powerful to see the Gate of Compassion in person, since I had seen it before in Great Dharma Drum Monastery.

A morning service in the Chan Hall at DDM Headquarters.

The Chan Hall at the Headquarters might be my favorite place I have ever been. The atmosphere inside is filled with stillness and clarity. During meditation there, I felt a sense of peace that I had not experienced anywhere else. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in the Chan Hall on the last morning, listening to the sound of rain. It felt as if I was outside in nature, and the peaceful sound of the rainfall perfectly complemented the stillness of the space.

Another highlight of the trip was a conversation that some DDM Chicago members and I had with Venerable Yan Yi over tea. The openness and wisdom he shared during that discussion helped deepen my understanding of practice and encouraged me to continue engaging wholeheartedly with the path. Throughout the pilgrimage, every person we met, from the venerables to the volunteers and participants, showed such warmth and sincerity. Being surrounded by people who embody the teachings made me feel connected to Master Sheng Yen’s vision in a very real and powerful way.

I also loved the food. Eating vegetarian for the entire pilgrimage felt surprisingly natural, and I still had plenty of energy each day. This experience made me realize I would like to continue eating vegetarian going forward as part of my practice.

Overall, this pilgrimage was a truly special experience that awakened a deeper connection to my Buddhist path and inspired me to continue growing in the Dharma. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and I am already looking forward to returning. I would love to come back for a retreat at the Headquarters in the future. This journey has left a lasting impression on my heart, and I feel even more motivated to practice sincerely and carry the teachings forward in my daily life. Thank you so much to Venerable Chang Hwa and to everyone who made this pilgrimage possible.