Dharma Drum Retreat Center

04/24/2026

In the stillness of winter, Venerable Chang Yuan offers a heartfelt reflection on practice, vow, and walking in the Master’s footsteps. Take a quiet moment to read this gentle piece.

Photo by: Lu Gao Snow is nature’s most surprising gift during winter practice at the Dharma Drum Retreat Center. The silence after a snowfall invites deep contemplation, allowing us become more aware of the intertwining of our inner world with nature. When the once-in-a-decade blizzard hit DDRC, t...

04/20/2026

Excerpt from "Dharma Drum: The life and heart of Ch'an practice"

Photo by: Marek Piwnicki

04/17/2026

Do you yearn for a deeper connection with yourself, a loving community, and the Chan (Chinese Zen) path? If you are between the ages 18-35, we would like to warmly invite you to participate in our Life in a Retreat Center retreat this summer to experience firsthand the daily life of a Chan practitioner.

Registration link: https://dharmadrumretreat.org/all-retreats/612/life-in-a-retreat-center/

04/13/2026

We were honored to welcome Venerable Myoko, Buddhist Chaplain of Bard College, along with her students to our center this past Saturday.

During their visit, Abbot Guo Yuan guided the group through a sound meditation, while Venerable Yan Xi Fashi offered a tour of our campus, sharing insights into our space and practice.

Thank you for spending your time with us—we truly appreciate your presence and the opportunity to connect! 🙏

Photos by: Lu Gao

04/09/2026

to this lovely reflection by our retreatant, Sophie Butcher, in 2024. Read the full comic grid on our blog!

The following comic grid illustrated by Sophie Butcher was published in the Summer 2024 Chan Magazine issue. About the Artist Sophie Butcher is a New York based creative visual director who loves to tell stories through drawing and photography. She attended her first meditation retreat at the Dharma...

04/04/2026

One of the core teachings in Buddhism is the doctrine of "no-self". Why did the Buddha reject the idea of a fixed, enduring self, and how can we avoid extremes self-attachment and self-annihilation? In this episode Chan Buddhism Podcast, David Listen takes a deep dive into this profound topic.

Welcome to the Chan/Zen Buddhism Podcast 🙏About David Listen 常聞:Buddhist instructor, former monk, current life coach/mentor and licensed mental health couns...

04/03/2026

Excerpt from “Dharma Drum: The life and heart of Ch’an practice”

Photo credit: hulermbel (pixabay)

03/31/2026

Step away from the noise of daily life and immerse yourself in a wakeful weekend at DDRC with teacher David Listen to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

Sign up to one or both of our weekend retreats in May and June.

📅 5/8-5/10 Weekend Retreat: https://dharmadrumretreat.org/all-retreats/607/weekend-retreat/

📅 6/5-6/7 Weekend Retreat: https://dharmadrumretreat.org/all-retreats/611/weekend-retreat/

03/26/2026

We are accepting applications for our Entryway to Intensive Retreat in July. This retreat is specially designed for those new to intensive retreats, helping you cultivate concentration and awareness in a gentle, approachable way. Experienced practitioners are welcome too!

Register here: https://dharmadrumretreat.org/all-retreats/620/entryway-to-intensive-retreat/

03/20/2026

The practice of repentance has been a powerful tool for overcoming deeply rooted patterns of behavior since the time of the Buddha.

We invite you to watch this insightful video, where David Listen explores how taking responsibility for our thoughts, words, and actions—and making a sincere vow to change—can create lasting transformation in our behavioral patterns.

Welcome to the Chan/Zen Buddhism Podcast 🙏About Me:I'm a Buddhist instructor, former monk, current life coach/mentor and licensed mental health counselor in...

03/19/2026

Excerpt from "Dharma Drum: The life and heart of Ch'an practice"

Photo credit: beytlik/Pexels