The Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) sits on a scenic hillside near the intersection of the North Coast Highway and Yangmingshan-Jinshan Highway in Sanjie Village, Jinshan District, New Taipei City. Embraced by mountains and the Shuangxi River, the site looks out to the surrounding peaks and Green Bay in the distance.
The Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education here was built through the collective effort of Buddhists brought together by Master Sheng Yen as a place for education, Buddhist practice, and culture.
The site could not have been more perfectly matched to the spirit of DDM. Facing south, the left side of the mountain resembles a green dragon with head raised or an ancient bell hanging in the sky, while the right side suggests a white tiger with head bowed. Viewed from above, the main part of the mountain looks a giant drum set lengthwise. The name of the village in which DDM is located also aptly reflects the "Three Realms" of existence in Buddhist belief, symbolizing the ability of the Dharma to overcome all and spread throughout the world.