Venerable Master Sheng Yen (1930~2009) was amongthe leading proponents of Chinese Buddhism on the international scene and a spiritual mentor with a global perspective and pioneering spirit. He had completed a six-year solitary retreat in Meinong, Taiwan, and received a Doctor of Literature degree from Tokyos Rissho University in 1975. His academic credentials included directorship of the Institute of Buddhist Studies of the China Academy, as well as professorships at Taiwans Chinese Culture University and Soochow University. The Master was not only a Buddhist scholar of profound erudition, but also an accomplished practitioner who emphasized the practice of Buddhist teachings. A Dharma heir to both the Linji and Caodong lineages of Chan school, he taught Chan all over the world for decades, gaining recognition as a preeminent Chan master.

 

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Master Sheng Yen’s Achievements in Education at the Academic Level
1978 ．Master Sheng Yen became the Director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies at the China Academy of the College         of Chinese Culture.

1985 ．Master Sheng Yen continued to run the Institute of Buddhist Studies at the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture, and renamed it the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies (CHIBS).

1990 ．CHIBS hosted the first Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at the National Central Library.
1992 ．CHIBS sponsored the second Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at the Grand Hotel.
1993 ．CHIBS and Japan’s Bukkyo University signed an academic research exchange agreement.
1994 ．CHIBS and Japan’s Komazawa University Faculty of Buddhism signed a cooperative agreement for academic exchange.
1997 ．CHIBS hosted the third Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at the National Central Library.
1999 ．The Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation established at the instruction of Master Sheng Yen.
2001 ．In September, DDM held a ceremony to mark the inauguration and the first term opening of Dharma Drum Sangha University.
2002 ．CHIBS held the fourth Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at the Academia Sinica.
2003 ．The Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation and Peking University jointly established the Dharma Drum Humanities Lecture Series at Peking University.
2004 ．The Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation and National Taiwan University jointly established the Dharma Drum Humanities Lecture Series at National Taiwan University.
2005 ．In China, Master Sheng Yen delivered speeches on Buddhism at Peking, Tsinghua, Nanjing, and Zhongshan Universities.
2006 ．The Dharma Drum Research Grants of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation collaborated with National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, and Asia University to establish the Dharma Drum Humanities Lecture Series.
2007 ．Dharma Drum Buddhist College, the first mono-religious college in Taiwan, was established (its Chinese name was changed in August 2008, but the English name remains the same). ．CHIBS hosted the fifth Chung-Hwa International Conference on Buddhism at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education.