Please visit the DDRC website at http://www.dharmadrumretreat.org/

184 Quannacut Road, Pine Bush, NY 12566. Directions
Phone: 845-744-8114 Fax: 845-744-8483 or E-Mail: ddrc@dharmadrumretreat.org
Photo Albums: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter (added 3/25/2003)
Retreat Letters -- Reports from the September 2003 Three-Day Chan Retreat

Who We Are:

The Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) is dedicated to the teaching of kindness and compassion as a foundation for harmonious human relationship and world peace. Through service to others and meditation practice, the individual evolves spiritually and contributes deeply to the society of which we are an integral part.

Mission:

DDRC seeks to demonstrate that Chan practice can benefit society through its many diverse service- and community-oriented activities. Through intensive meditation, Dharma talks, and work, practitioners from around the world engage their minds and hearts to develop inner stillness, concentration, and a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world. Grounded in this wisdom, they engage the world with great concern, compassion, and kindness toward others.

Our Facilities:

Established in 1997, the facilities are located in Upstate New York in the town of Shawangunk with 120 acres of sprawling meadows, sun-dappled woods, and a 6-acre sparkling lake with a bubbling creek running through it. The meadows, woods, and lake are filled with diverse wildlife habitats. The facilities of DDRC have evolved through gradual renovations over the years. The retreat center comprises the Chan Hall, dining hall, dormitories, reception center and cabins. The site was originally a summer camp whose facilities were only open during the summer. We have since renovated the existing buildings for year round use.

Participants from both the East and the West learn the practice of Chan and how to cultivate healthy bodies and minds. Meditation practice and Dharma studies are conducted both indoors and outdoors.

We offer meditation, vegetarian food as a healthy alternative, volunteer work retreats, as well as weekend, 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day, 7-day, 10-day and up to 49-day meditation retreats.

Our participants come from the U.S. as well as from Canada, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, etc. and they include people from all ages, various religious backgrounds and all walks of life.

Our Future:

More services and activities, directed towards our local community and participants, will be developed as we receive support and continue to improve our facilities.