Our History
Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center is a Chan Buddhism Dharma land where participants can apply Chan teachings, assimilate Buddhist Compassion and Wisdom, and achieve harmony and equanimity of body and minds. Dharma Drum Mountain was founded in Taiwan by Venerable Sheng Yen in 1989.
Using the protection of the Spiritual Environment as the leading principle, our vision is to actualize the Four Kinds of Environmentalism—spiritual, social, living, and natural environment through affirming the Threefold Education1 and practicing the Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance2. Sharing and promoting the living, adaptable Buddhadharma practical for daily life to the general public, is our goal.
2003 － 2006：Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Liaison Office established
DDMBASF was formed in Millbrae. Combining Buddhadharma and Chan methods and incorporating contemporary views and concepts, DDMBASF serves as a pivotal Buddhist organization to promote and extend Chinese Chan Buddhism in the Bay Area.
Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Liaison Office established
Master Guoyuan was the first to come
Family Reading Club
2006 - 2007： Everywhere is home
Because the lease of the Millbrae office was taken back, the San Francisco branch of Dharma Drum Mountain (formerly the liaison office) began to wander around. The group practice activities were held at the homes of Sister Xie Xiuqing, Brother Liao Jichong, and Brother Lin Zisheng. At the same time, we also rented venues outside or from other Buddhist groups, led by Dharma masters or senior monks, to hold activities such as intensive meditation, sutra lectures, and tea meditation.
Three days retreat lead by Master Guoqian
One day retreat lead by Gilbert, Master Shengyen's Western disciple
Meditation practice at home
2007 － 2013： Sunnyvale Center
DDMBASF relocated to Sunnyvale. Continuing with the Common Ethos of Dharma Drum Mountain tradition, DDMBASF further expands and provides a wide range of activities to assist participants to implement Buddha dharma and Chan teachings in daily life. Activities include Group Meditation for beginners and advanced practitioners, Sutra study group, Dharma support group, Cultivation liturgies and ceremonies, Dharma and Sutra classes, and caring services in the community.
Sunnyvale Center
First Class for Cultivating Blessedness Field
First meditation retreat for 1,000 people in North America
2014 - 2015：New center opened in Fremont
DDMBASF relocated to Fremont. On May 30th 2015, the grand opening ceremony was held at the newly renovated location. During the renovation, various activities were held to attract people to learn Buddhism and Zen: including inter-religious dialogues, children’s classes, English meditation, Shuilu Fa Hui, Buddhist courses, etc. The new center was opened and the Buddha statue was consecrated on May 30, 2015. Our mission to spread the “Chinese Zen Dharma Drum Sect” in Western society has entered a new milestone.
Master Changhua and Pastor Spencer discuss the Buddhist and Christian views on life and death
English Group Meditation
Shuilu Fa Hui
In December 2016, the San Francisco branch was upgraded to the Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Center
DDMBASF was officially upgraded to a DDM Center, where DDM monastics were appointed to reside, support and spread the Dharma.
It is our hope that through continuous promotion of Chan workshops and Dharma activities, the general public can recognize Dharma Drum Mountain’s ideals and join Dharma Drum Mountain’s effort in actualizing the protection of the Spiritual Environment and building a pure land on earth.
1. Threefold Education is an extensive academic education, extensive public Buddhist education and extensive social care education.
2. The Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance includes Four Fields for Cultivating Peace, the Four Guidelines for Dealing with Desires, the Four Steps for Handling a Problem, the Four Practices for Helping Oneself and Others and the Four ways to Cultivate Merit.