CONTEMPLATION HALL CONSTRUCTION
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Project Purpose
Project Timeline
Progress Updates
VII. Dedication and Opening — Stillness into Action
In Spring of this year (2025), the construction team finished working on the new contemplation hall and we were able to open its doors to the public for the first time.
Cushions await event attendees in the new contemplation hall.
The first two events to use the space were an event with the Chinese Buddhist Cultural Association for seniors and the Life in a Retreat Center event for young adults. Enjoy the pictures below of our community taking advantage of this smaller, intimate setting for practice.
Visitors to DDRC take part in lecture and discussion.
Seated meditation in the contemplation hall.
VI. Decoration and Preparation for Opening — Adorning the New Hall
The new contemplation hall is nearing completion and we enter the phase of preparing the space to host attendees of classes, workshops, and retreats. Our abbot Guo Yuan Fashi and Yan Xi Fashi inspected the contemplation hall to check on its progress and bring the space to life.
Abbot Guo Yuan Fash and Yan Xi Fashi meet with members of the construction team.
Pictured on the left above is Peter A. Cirillo from Cirillo Architects and the right is David Woglom, President of Woglom Construction LLC. Thank you to the great construction team leaders for leading this significant and beautiful project!
View from the contemplation hall towards the dining hall.
May this new hall help us bring joy to all.
The basement is cleaned and prepared for use.
VI. Interior Work and Systems Installation — Attention Turns Inward
With the exterior of the contemplation hall nearing completion and the interior now protected from the winter elements, work has begun on making the space ready for use. With the help of community partners, the painting and priming of the walls and ceiling has been completed.
Light fixture installation is underway.
In addition to the space above ground, the new contemplation hall will have a basement that will further meet the needs of our monastics, residents, volunteers, and retreatants.
Work continues below the surface.
V. Siding, Stonework, and Deck — Finding a New Face
With the roof in place, siding was added, window fixtures were installed, and work on a new deck was begun. The construction team prepared the new contemplation hall for the placement of stonework around its base.
Stonework helps harmonize the hall with the surroundings.
When completed, this deck will allow community members to participate in programming outdoors and also to enjoy the ever-shifting seasons while immersed in DDRC’s beautiful and serene landscape.
A new deck emerges.
The exterior of the contemplation hall continued to be brought closer to completion with the laying of sod to cover the ground that had been disturbed in the process of demolition and construction.
Sod is laid aid in the restoration the lawn.
IV. Framing, Exterior, & Roofing — Building Good Bones
Construction of the new contemplation hall is proceeding smoothly, of course requiring hard work from the DDRC staff and contractors. The shell structure of the meditation hall is now complete and ready for siding, windows, and the rest of the external and internal fixtures.
A new building takes shape.
The new meets the old, melding beautifully.
III. Foundation — Laying the Groundwork for What Is to Come
With the old contemplation hall demolished, work began on clearing the remaining debris and excavation could begin to make way for the new foundation.
Clearing the field for excavation and laying of the foundaiton.
Master Sheng Yen often reminded practitioners that, while sudden enlightenment is possible, Chan practice is like building a house: we need to work on our ethical discipline, concentration, and wisdom in order to lay a solid foundation.
View of excavation and foundation progress facing towards the reception hall.
In this project too, the foundation is quite literally the base for the rest of what is to come. Great care was taken to prepare the ground, lay a good foundation, and adequately shield the work against intrusions by water.
Waterproofing, foundation, foam, wire lath, and stucco in place.
II. Demolition — Many Hands Get to Work Preparing for A New Beginning
Master Sheng Yen reminded us to “be mindful of impermanence; be careful of idleness.” In this spirit, visiting monastics work diligently to help us prepare for the demolition of the old contemplation hall. One of the most important steps is preparing the temporary entrance to the reception hall via Quannacut Road while the old entrance is closed during construction.
A group of monastics work to prepare the temporary entrance to the reception hall.
Before demolition of the structure, there was much preparatory work to be done. The beautiful calligraphy, meditation cushions, and altar were relocated; ceiling fans were removed so they can find new use elsewhere; and windows are carefully uninstalled.
The ceiling fans, altars, and even windows are removed prior to demolition to enable reuse or recycling.
With the demolition of the old contemplation hall, we have the opportunity to reflect on all the ways in which this space played a role in our lives and enabled our practice. We offer thanks to all the people who built, maintained, and used this space!
Demolition begins on the old contemplation hall.
I. Planning and Discernment — All things Are Subject to Change
The original contemplation hall was converted from a warehouse and was only used by resident practitioners for communal practice. With several pieces of calligraphy and a small altar, this space was transformed into a small, but charming contemplation hall.
The old contemplation hall cleared of meditation cushions, bells, and caligraphy. A statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva maintains their watch.
Master Sheng Yen told us “Buddhism teaches that all phenomena—all things seen, heard, thought, or experienced—are impermanent, arising and perishing in a fragment of time. When Shakyamuni Buddha first turned the Dharma Wheel at Deer Park, he expounded the doctrine of impermanence.”
The old contemplation hall exterior showed weathering after many years of use.
After many years of use, by DDRC as well as the previous stewards of the property, the old structure had deteriorated significantly due to age and the space was had become quite outdated. Therefore, it was decided there was a need for renovation and reconstruction. In this moment of loss and change, there is the opportunity for growth and reassessment of how to best meet the needs of our community as we move into the future.
The old contemplation hall comprised the two structures on the right of the picture above.