named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Dharma Transmission Ceremonies
Formal ceremonies through which lineage and teaching authority are passed to qualified monastic and lay disciples within the Dharma Drum lineage.
Meditation Instruction and Dharma Talks
Regular teaching programs led by resident monastics, including guided meditation sessions, lectures on Buddhist philosophy, and transcribed Dharma talks available online.
Seven-Day Chan Retreats
Intensive meditation retreats offered regularly at the Dharma Drum Retreat Center, following the teachings of Master Sheng Yen and emphasizing Silent Illumination and Huatou methods.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 2 activities
- Delivering meditation instruction and Dharma educationOffers classes, workshops, and educational programming in Chan/Zen practice for both beginners and advanced practitioners, including instruction in foundational techniques, metta contemplation, and application of Buddhist wisdom. Provides daily Dharma talks, personal teacher interviews during retreats, and interactive sessions on harmonizing body and mind. Programming is delivered at DDRC and affiliated centers across North America, Europe, and East Asia.
- Hosting Chan meditation retreats and structured programsOffers a range of meditation retreats including silent intensive (7–10 day), weekend, one-day, and beginner-focused retreats such as Beginner’s Mind and Foundation Retreats. These incorporate sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks, teacher interviews, chanting, mindful work practice, and structured schedules emphasizing Noble Silence and mindfulness. Retreats follow the Dharma Drum Mountain lineage and include specialized formats like Huatou, Silent Illumination, and Western Zen approaches.
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Sliding-Scale Tuition Programs 1 activity
- Ensuring equitable access to retreats through financial assistanceOffers a sliding scale fee structure and provides financial assistance to individuals facing economic hardship to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation in meditation retreats and programs.
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Buddhist Religious Ceremonies & Teachings 1 activity
- Promoting Chinese Chan Buddhism in the WestAdvances the practice and teachings of Chinese Chan Buddhism based on the Dharma Drum Mountain lineage throughout the western hemisphere, participating in global efforts to promote mental and societal purification through meditation and mindfulness.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Advancing Buddhist studies through research and digital resourcesSupported the creation of a digital Buddhist studies database and digital museum to make sutras accessible and advance scholarly research; established the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies to promote cross-sectarian academic exchange.
- Providing residential facilities and logistical support for retreat participantsProvides overnight accommodations in single-occupancy, gender-segregated dormitories with communal bathrooms, serves three vegetarian meals daily (including a “medicine meal”), offers rental bedding for $15, and requires surrender of cell phones upon arrival for secure storage. Also operates a reception area for registration and coordinates optional shuttle service from New York Penn Station for $75 each way when demand exists.
- Training Buddhist monastics and building institutional capacityFounded Dharma Drum Sangha University in 2001 to train Buddhist monastics, having educated over 100 who now serve in Dharma Drum Mountain institutions globally.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$819K
Contributions & grants$478K58%
Program service revenue$297K36%
Investment income$9K1%
Other revenue$35K
expenses
Total expenses$761K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$98K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$3.84M
Cash$2.73M
Investments$0
Liabilities$13K
Net assets$3.83M
Liquid reserves43.1 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +14.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Chunyen Wang — Board Member
- Iris Wang — Board Member
- Tsung Ping Wang — Director
- Yuh-Jaan Wey — Board member
relationships · 33
Who they work with
- Atlanta Branch Partner — Affiliated branch in Georgia under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Buddhist Association of the United States Funder — Organization that invited Master Sheng Yen to teach in the U.S., supporting early Dharma propagation efforts
- Budwod Partner — European affiliate center in Zalesie Górne, Poland under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Chan Bern Partner — European affiliate center in Bern, Switzerland under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Chan CH Partner — European affiliate center in Zurich, Switzerland under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Chan Master Sheng Yen Network — Center uses publications and teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen in its library and programming.
- Chan Master Sheng Yen Partner — Founder of Dharma Drum Retreat Center and lineage holder in the Linji and Caodong schools of Chan Buddhism.
- Chan Meditation Center Partner — Formerly hosted retreats in New York City before transitioning programming to Dharma Drum Retreat Center in Shawangunk.
- Chan Meditation Center Partner — North American affiliate center under the Dharma Drum Mountain network, located in Elmhurst, NY.
- Chan Meditation Center Partner — Related Chan practice center established by Master Sheng Yen in New York City
- Chan Meditation Center Partner — Shared faculty and collaborative programming between DDRC and CMC, including joint teaching roles and retreat leadership.
- Chicago Chapter Partner — Affiliated chapter in Illinois under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- DDM Los Angeles Center Partner — North American affiliate center under the Dharma Drum Mountain network, located in El Monte, CA.
- DDM Massachusetts Buddhist Association Partner — North American affiliate center under the Dharma Drum Mountain network, located in Lexington, MA.
- DDM San Francisco Bay Area Center Partner — North American affiliate center under the Dharma Drum Mountain network, located in Fremont, CA.
- DDM Seattle Center Partner — North American affiliate center under the Dharma Drum Mountain network, located in Woodinville, WA.
- DDM Vancouver Center Partner — North American affiliate center under the Dharma Drum Mountain network, located in Richmond, BC.
- Dharma Drum Mountain Network — DDRC is part of the Dharma Drum Mountain lineage and shares monastic leadership, training programs, and organizational structure.
- Dharma Drum Mountain Network — Parent Buddhist organization founded by Master Sheng Yen, of which Dharma Drum Retreat Center is a part
- Dharma Drum Mountain Network — Part of the Dharma Drum Mountain lineage, which has been offering retreats in America for over forty years.
- Dharma Drum Sangha University Network — Faculty members have graduated from or trained at DDSU, indicating formal affiliation and shared educational curriculum.
- Dharmaloka Partner — European affiliate center in Zagreb, Croatia under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Edison Chapter Partner — Affiliated chapter in New Jersey under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Global Meditation Center New York Partner — Affiliated center in New York under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Partner — Respected Buddhist leader who participated in dialogues with Master Sheng Yen
- London Chan Meditation Partner — European affiliate group in London, United Kingdom under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Luxemburg Partner — European affiliate center in Luxemburg under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Mar de Jade Partner — Affiliated center in Nayarit, Chacala, Mexico under the Dharma Drum Mountain network.
- Plum Village Partner — Organization led by Thich Nhat Hanh, with whom Master Sheng Yen engaged in inter-traditional dialogue
- Rissho University Government — Japanese university where Master Sheng Yen earned his Ph.D. and advanced Buddhist scholarship
+ 3 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Adaptation of Traditional Chan Practicemethodology: cultural_adaptation_of_traditional_practiceBy adapting ancient Chan meditation traditions and teachings to modern, Western contexts through accessible language and integrated daily-life practices, the organization increases relevance and engagement for contemporary practitioners because it reduces cultural and conceptual barriers to entry.
- Graduated Training for Spiritual Developmentmethodology: graduated_spiritual_trainingBy structuring Chan training progressively from beginner to advanced levels, the organization supports sustainable spiritual growth because incremental immersion builds resilience, understanding, and depth in practice over time.
- Mind Cultivation for Social and Environmental Harmonymethodology: mind_cultivation_for_social_harmonyBy teaching that individual inner transformation through Chan practice leads to compassionate action, the organization fosters societal and ecological well-being because personal peace is seen as the foundation for collective harmony and world healing.
- Mindful Integration of Daily Activitiesmethodology: mindful_daily_integrationBy integrating meditation into daily actions—such as eating, working, and moving—the organization cultivates continuous mindfulness because treating all activities as practice sustains awareness beyond formal meditation sessions.
- Silent Retreat as Deep Mind Cultivationmethodology: silent_retreat_structureBy enforcing Noble Silence, digital disconnection, and a distraction-free environment during retreats, the organization deepens meditative focus and inner stillness because minimizing external stimuli reduces mental distractions and supports sustained self-inquiry.