Master Sheng Yen (1930-2009) was a reputed Chan master in the international Buddhist community, with a global perspective and pioneering spirit. He completed a six-year solitary retreat in Meinong, Taiwan, and received a D. Litt. degree from Rissho University in 1975. Having served as Director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies of the China Academy, and professor at Taiwan’s Chinese Culture University and Soochow University, the Master was not only a learned Buddhist scholar, but also an accomplished practitioner who stressed the importance of practice in daily life. Trained in both the Linji and Caodong schools, he taught Chan for decades, gaining worldwide recognition.
Becomes Director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies, China Academy, College of Chinese Culture.
Continues to run IBS at the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture, and renames it as the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies(CHIBS).
CHIBS hosts the 1st Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at National Central Library.
CHIBS hosts the 2nd International Conference on Buddhism at the Grand Hotel.
CHIBS and Bukkyo University co-sign an academic research exchange agreement.
CHIBS and Komazawa University Faculty of Buddhism co-sign an academic cooperative agreement.
CHIBS hosts the 3rd International Conference on Buddhism at National Central Library.
Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation established at Master Sheng Yen’s instruction.
DDSU’s inauguration and academic opening takes place.
CHIBS holds the 4th Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at the Academia Sinica.
Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation establishes the Dharma Drum Lecture Series in Humanities at China’s Peking University.
Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation establishes the Lecture Series in Humanities at Taiwan University and China’s Tsinghua University.
Master Sheng Yen speaks at China’s Peking, Tsinghua, Nanjing, and Zhongshan Universities.
Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation establishes the Lecture Series in Humanities at Asia University and China’s Zhongshan University.
Dharma Drum Buddhist College, the first of its kind in Taiwan, established (renamed as Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts in 2014).
CHIBS transformed into an academic research organization dedicated to Chinese Buddhist research.
Master Sheng Yen passes away in February.
