The Dharma Drum Retreat Center of Tzu Chi Foundation was established in the winter of 1969. Initially covering over 40 *ping* (traditional Chinese unit of area), the land was purchased by the mother of the founder, Master Cheng Yen, and construction was carried out in phased stages year by year. At that time, the master and the resident monks and nuns diligently crafted processed goods to repay their debts while actively rolling up their sleeves to participate in the construction process. Later, due to aging buildings, roof leaks, or operational needs, the center underwent ten expansions and renovations, finally reaching its current form. As a sacred practice site for Tzu Chi's monastic community, the Retreat Center prioritizes tranquility and seclusion and is not an ordinary tourist attraction. Therefore, no road signs are marked. Visitors can identify Guang'an Temple near the 195 km mark along Provincial Highway No. 9 and take a small path from the opposite direction for about 300 meters to reach the parking lot. After parking, visitors should follow the maple-lined path, turn right, and arrive at the gray-tiled, white-walled destination.
From the exterior inward, the architectural layout includes the main hall, Guanyin Hall, new lecture hall, monks’ quarters, nuns’ quarters, male quarters, dining hall, offices, vegetable garden, orchard, etc. Entering the grounds, visitors may follow the maple-lined path toward the campus, first encountering the elegant and austere architecture of the main hall. The roof features a triangle-like "human" structure formed by inner ridges. At the central and two side exteriors of the roofline, three circular column groups on each side represent the imagery of the Three Treasures. The four supporting pillars of the main hall symbolize the "Four Boundless Thoughts"—compassion, love, joy, and letting go—and best exemplify Tzu Chi’s practical implementation of Buddhist humanism, its aspiration to humanize Bodhisattvas and integrate Buddhist teachings into daily life.