My name is Shi Kongmu (釋空目), or Venerable Kongmu, a Buddhist monk currently living with Dharma Drum Mountain in Taipei, Taiwan. My home temple is in Missouri in the U.S., the Mid-America Buddhist Association; and I lived for six years at Shasta Abbey in California as a Soto Zen monk with the religious name Rev. Sheridan before moving to MABA in late 2010.
I have moved to Taiwan in late May 2011 for a period of Chinese language study and a deeper study of the Dharma. I plan on being here for a couple of years before heading back to the States. Though, it is, as always, a one-day-at-a-time affair.
This blog is an attempt to keep those who have asked up-to-date on some experiences, sights, thoughts, etc., from Taiwan. These posts are not all that regular these days, so if you would like to be notified, you can subscribe to this blog and you’ll get an email with something new shows up.
This is my first time in Asia, so this blog is a helpful way for me to reflect upon things. I hope you may enjoy some of what is here. Please feel free to comment with anything that comes to mind, and also feel free to contact me as well via the link on the side of the home page.
I hope this finds you well.
Buddha Fields 
Dear Ven. Kongmu, it’s really wonderful to read through all your postings. You must have felt all our wonderings from across the sea! Your studies in Chinese inspire me to put more focus on my own attempts to learn more Mandarin. Right now, I’m lucky to be learning more Spanish at our center in Little Village center, on Chicago’s west side so I can teach tai chi and meditation in Spanish! One of my favorite phrases is, crane blanco abre su salas. (apologies for the spelling. I can speak a little better than I can write at this point!)
Thank you so much for sharing. I think the blog is quite wonderful.
With many thanks, deep bows for all you do in the Dharma.
Xianhuang Hillary
Thank you for the blog. Very long post, but interesting! Will read more when I have the time.
With Metta, KS.
So glad to hear from you! I truly rejoice in your efforts and practice. Not an easy path, to be sure! I hope that you will not wear yourself down. Please take excellent care of yourself. With joy in the Dharma….L.