Life in a Retreat Center

Life in the Retreat Center

June 14 – 21, 2025 | Dharma Drum Retreat Center

Chinese Buddhism has flourished since the Buddha’s teachings traveled from India to China nearly 2,000 years ago. A defining hallmark of Chinese Chan Buddhism is its seamless integration of spiritual practice into everyday life—transforming ordinary actions into profound opportunities for awakening.

This summer, from June 14th to 21st, 2025, the Dharma Drum Retreat Center invites you to Life in the Retreat Center, an immersive retreat that offers a firsthand experience of the daily lifestyle of a Chan practitioner. Specially designed for beginner practitioners, this week-long journey is a rare chance to cultivate inner clarity, wisdom, and compassion through authentic meditation practices.

Who Should Join?

This retreat is designed for young adults (ages 18-35) who seek a deeper connection with the self, the community, and the Chan path. Through meditation, reflection, and mindful living, participants will embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, self-affirmation, self-cultivation, and self-liberation.

What to Expect

Throughout the retreat, participants will engage in:

• ✅ Beginner Meditation Classes: Establish a strong foundation in Chan sitting meditation.
• ✅ Morning & Evening Services: Immerse yourself in the beauty of chanting and devotion.
• ✅ Mindful Work Practice: Bring awareness and mindfulness to daily activities.
• ✅ Dharma Talks & Discussions with Monastics: Gain insight through teachings and interactive Q&A sessions.
• ✅ Mindfulness Exercises: Experience deep awareness through serene forest walks and scenic lake trails.
• ✅ Community Service: Adopt-a-Highway: Transform compassion into action through meaningful service.
• ✅ Noble Silence Period: Dedicate time each day to turn inward, quiet the mind, and deepen self-reflection.

Mandatory Digital Detox

To support a truly immersive experience, all participants are required to turn in their mobile phones to the reception staff at check-in before the retreat begins. If you need to, please send any messages to family and friends before/as you enter the reception hall.

• • Keep Laptops & Tablets Turned Off or Do Not Bring – You May Not Use These on the Retreat.
  • Keep Your Smartwatches & Other Digital Devices on Mute and Keep in Your Living Quarters.

This regulation ensures a distraction-free environment, allowing you to:

🌱 Disconnect from screens and fully embrace present-moment awareness.

🌿 Reconnect with yourself, nature, and the Chan practice without digital distractions.

By stepping away from technology, you can experience an unprecedented sense of clarity, focus, and inner peace—a transformative and rare opportunity in today’s fast-paced, screen-driven world.

✨ Let go of the digital world. Be present. Live the practice.

Participation & Registration

📍 No cost to attend – Simply set aside the time and immerse yourself in the experience.

💛 Donations welcome – Contributions support volunteers’ travel expenses and center operations.

📅 Spaces are limited! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore the spiritual dimensions of life.

📞 Have questions? Contact us at info@dharmadrumretreat.org.

🌿 Step into stillness. Discover clarity. Live the practice—free from screens.

Sample Schedule

Chartered Shuttle

We are happy to offer a chartered shuttle service from Manhattan Penn Station to our center, provided we have enough interested participants. The fee for the shuttle service is $75 for one way and $150 for a round trip per person.

The shuttle will depart from Manhattan Penn Station at 2:00 pm on the start day of the retreat, taking you directly to our center. On the end day of the retreat, the return shuttle will depart from our center at 10:30 am, heading back to Manhattan Penn Station.

If you wish to avail of the shuttle service, please remember to check the item during registration.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received 21 days prior to the event’s start date will receive a refund of the fee minus a $25.00 administrative fee.

Cancellations received 14 days prior to the event’s start date will receive a 50% refund of the retreat fee.

We regret that we are unable to refund any cancellation received less than 14 days prior to the event’s start date.

If you would like to cancel any event, please reply to register@dharmadrumretreat.org.