In the beginning Nung Chan Monastery attracted many young people to practice Chan, and over time practitioners who preferred chanting Amitabha Buddha’s name also joined and so in 1982 the Amitabha Chanting Group was established. Master Sheng Yen often helped young students from poor families with bus fares, to encourage them to come to the monastery for practice. Meanwhile, the Master’s compassion and kindness drew many more people to come and begin Buddhist practice.