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Welcome to DDM Chicago!

Welcome to the Chicago Chapter of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association. We are a Buddhist meditation center located North of Chicago (in Wheeling, IL) and practice Chan Buddhism (the Chinese precursor of ‘Zen’) in the tradition of Chan Master Sheng Yen.

Upcoming Special Events:

One-day meditation retreat with Iris on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Join us for a day of meditation and teachings to renew your energy, clarity, and commitment on the path. Click here for more information and the online registration.

Beginner’s meditation class with Iris on Saturday, September 19, 2026. If you are new to Chan/Zen meditation and would like to learn the basic techniques and principles then this class will provide everything you need to establish a daily sitting practice. Click here for more information and the online registration.

Investigating Mind: Chan Weekend Retreat with Gilbert Gutierrez, Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026 (Fri–Sun). Registration is now open!

Click here for more information.

Weekly Events:

Join us for our weekly Beginner’s Dharma 101 Class on Wednesday nights from 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Click here for more information and the first time registration.

Join our weekly Sunday morning meditation (8:30 AM – 10 AM) and book study / Dharma class (10:10 AM – 11:30 AM). Click here for more information about the workshop. Check the calendar for the latest class schedule. Click here for the zoom link to join online.

Join us for our Weekly Yoga Classes! Please check the event calendar for more details and contact Iris if you have any questions.

Join us for our weekly Beginner’s Tai Chi Class onWednesday nights from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Click here for more information and the first time registration.

YouTube Channel & Podcast:

Check out our Center’s YouTube channel where you will find recordings of our weekly Sunday Chan Workshop and of Dharma talks by visiting Dharma teachers.

Also check out our Audio Podcast that features recordings of Dharma talks from past retreats by various teachers given at our Center.

For more info, sign up for the mailing list!

The vision behind our efforts is: “Uplifting the Character of Humanity and Building a Pure Land on Earth“ as formulated by our late teacher and founder of DDM, Chan Master Sheng Yen. Our mission is to create a vibrant community which encourages spiritual growth and promotes happiness, wisdom and compassion.

We offer various practices that include group meditation sessions, book studies, chanting, recitation of sutras and mantras, Dharma classes, social activities, and more.  Our center is multi-lingual, fluent in both, English and Chinese, and aims at cultivating an understanding of Chan Buddhism as an embodied practice and living philosophy that can be very well integrated in the busy lifestyles and the challenges we all encounter in everyday life in America. 

Would you like to become a Member? Join here!

“To know the arising mind is the non-arising Mind”
Chan Wisdom

Upcoming Events:

Past Events:

One-day meditation retreat with Iris on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Join us for a day of meditation and teachings to renew your energy, clarity, and commitment on the path. Click here for more information and the online registration.

Please join us on Sunday, May 31, 2026, for the Dharma Drum Mountain Chicago New Center Blessing Chanting Assembly. Chanting text in both Chinese and English will be provided. Everyone is welcome to participate in the chanting.

Beginner’s meditation class with Iris on Sat, May 16, 2026. If you are new to Chan/Zen meditation and would like to learn the basic techniques and principles then this class will provide everything you need to establish a daily sitting practice. Click here for more information and the online registration.

Join us for the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday on Sun May 10, 2026 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM. There will be Potluck after the ceremony! Click here for more information.

In-person 2 day Chan Retreat / Lecture Series with Venerable Guo Goang in April (Sat, Apr 18- Sun, Apr 19, 2026): The Essentials of Nāgārjuna’s Middle Way. Click here for more information. Registration is now closed. If you wish to be placed on the waitlist please contact us at: ddmbachicago@gmail.com.

In-person 3 day Chan retreat with Venerable Guo Goang in April (Fri, Apr 10 – Sun, Apr 12, 2026): Silent Illumination / 3 Day Meditation Retreat. Registration is now closed. Click here for more information. If you wish to be placed on the waitlist please contact us at: ddmbachicago@gmail.com.

One-day meditation retreat with Iris on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Join us for a day of meditation and teachings to renew your energy, clarity, and commitment on the path. Click here for more information and the online registration.

Watercolor for Meditation and Flows with Tai Kojro-Badziak on Saturday, March 14, 2026. In this guided exploration, artist and designer Tai Kojro-Badziak will introduce you to the basics of watercolor materials and techniques, and guide you as you create artwork tapping into meditative flow. Click here for more information and how to register.

Join us for the celebration of Chinese New Year on Sun, Feb 22, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM. There will be Potluck after the ceremony! Click here for more information.

Beginner’s meditation class with Iris on Sat, Feb 21, 2026. If you are new to Chan/Zen meditation and would like to learn the basic techniques and principles then this class will provide everything you need to establish a daily sitting practice. Click here for more information and the online registration.

Join us for the Transmission of the Lamp of Wisdom on Sun, Feb 1st, 2026 Ceremony (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM) and Potluck (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM). If you can’t join in person, join via zoom. Click here for more information.

In-Person and Zoom 3-Day Chan Retreat on Silent Illumination with Guo Gu, July 25–27, 2025 (Fri–Sun)

Click here for more information.

DDM Chicago will be hosting a Dharma Protector Volunteer Gathering on Sun June 29, 2025. The event will include reports on the volunteer structure, getting to know each other, volunteer recognition, and ice breaking activities. Click here for more information.

DDMBA Chicago members are encouraged to donate to support the Myanmar Earthquake Relief effort. Click here for more information on how to donate.

In-person 3 day Chan retreat with Venerable Guo Goang in April (Fri, Apr 18 – Sun, Apr 20, 2025): Shamatha & Vipassana Three Day Meditation Retreat. Registration is now open! Click here for more information and the online registration.

In-person 2 day Chan Retreat / Lecture Series with Venerable Guo Goang in April (Sat, Apr 12- Sun, Apr 13, 2025): Guanyin Dharma Gate Two Day Meditation Retreat. Registration is now open! Click here for more information and the online registration.

In-person 3-day Chan retreat with Venerable Guo Xing in September (Fri, Sep 6 – Sun, Sep 8, 2024): The Finger Pointing to the Moon. Registration is now open! Click here for more information and the online registration.

In-person 1-day Special Chan retreat / Dharma talk series with Venerable Guo Xing on Thu, Sep 5, 2024: Dongshan’s 5 Ranks. Registration is now open! Click here for more information and the online registration.