Master Sheng Yen: Life, Legacy, and Global Buddhist Impact

Master Sheng Yen was born in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China in the year 1930 and initiated his monastic life at Guangjiao Monastery on Wolf Hill in 1943. In 1949, following the retreat of the Nationalist Army to Twan, he served for ten years before being honorably discharged from military service. Master Sheng Yen then reunited with Venerable Dong Chu and was re-ordned.

Master Sheng Yen embarked on a solitary retreat in Meinong, Kaohsiung's mountnous region, for an exhaustive period of six years altogether, later furthering his studies abroad at Rissho University in Japan where he obtned his Doctorate in Literature in 1975.

Afterward, Master Sheng Yen was invited to the United States to spread the Dharma. He held various leadership roles including serving as a board member and vice president of the Buddhist Association of the United States BAUS, overseeing the Great Enlightenment Monastery, leading the BAUS Institute of Tripitaka Translation, and eventually returning to Twan upon Venerable Dong Chu's passing in 1978.

Master Sheng Yen was appointed Director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies at Chinese Culture College and Professor at the College’s Graduate School of Philosophy. He also taught at prestigious institutions such as Soochow University and Fujen University, contributing significantly to the development and promotion of Buddhist higher education in Twan.

Recognizing his disciples' keen interest in learning about Buddhism in America, Master Sheng Yen established the Chan Center in New York City in 1979. The center later expanded, relocated, and was renamed as the Chan Meditation Center. Since then, he has traveled between Twan and the U.S., on Buddhist practice and lecturing at academic institutions worldwide.

Master Sheng Yen took initiative to establish Dharma Drum Mountn World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township, Tpei County, ming to promote comprehensive educational efforts across extensive academic education, public Buddhist education, and social care. The center's first phase was completed in 2005 with an inaugural ceremony being held.

Master Sheng Yen, a well-respected Buddhist scholar, contributed significantly through the establishment of Dharma Drum Mountn as an organization dedicated to cultural and educational eavors, founding institutions like the Chung-Hwa Institute for Buddhist Education, Sangha University, and Dharma Drum Buddhist College - marking a new era in Twan's Buddhist education history.

Master Sheng Yen was also widely recognized internationally, participating in academic conferences, championing global ethics, advocating world peace, promoting interfth dialogue, and engaging with outstanding individuals from various fields such as technology, arts, and culture. His contributions were widely acknowledged, including being named one of the 50 Most Influential People by CommonWealth Magazine within Twan's past four centuries.

Master Sheng Yen passed away on February 3, 2009, leaving a legacy that continues through the Dharma Drum Mountn organization.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND EVENTS: Visit Dharma Drum Mountn's Websitehttp:www.ddmba.org for upcoming events and more detled updates.

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