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Dharma Drum
A modern Chan organization founded by Master Sheng Yen, teaching huatou and silent illumination worldwide.
Dharma Drum Mountain was founded by Chan Master Sheng Yen (1931–2009). It presents Chinese Chan for contemporary practitioners through retreats, education, and environmental and cultural programs.
Signature methods include huatou investigation and silent illumination (mozhao), taught in graduated retreat formats. Dharma Drum centers and affiliates operate across Taiwan, North America, and Europe.
Practices
Huatou retreat
Intensive questioning practice under Chan teachers.
Silent illumination
Calm, luminous sitting without forcing a breakthrough.
Protecting the spiritual environment
Sheng Yen’s framing of ethics, ecology, and mental clarity as one path.
Texts
Faith in Mind
Sheng Yen (commentary)
Hoofprint of the Ox
Sheng Yen