Social and environmental phenomena such as low birth rate, aging population, unequal distribution of wealth, extreme weather from climate change, disruptive innovation and more are breeding anxiety and unrest in our modern lives. How can DDM fulfill its role as a stabilizing force in society?

Seeing All Sentient Beings in One Single Person

At 2 p.m. on October 29, DDM’s Zaiming Monastery City Branch organized a meeting to introduce the Master Sheng Yen's Chronicle. The guest speakers included Ven. Guo Xian, director of DDM Cultural Center, and Lin Qixian, an associate professor at National Pingdong University and author and editor of the book. Along with over 170 participants, they together used the opportunity to remember the Master’s teachings, thoughts, words of wisdom and actions of compassion.

Sharing the international trend of spiritual development

At 2 p.m. on November 12, former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Defense and an international strategic expert, Prof. Lin Zhongbing, was invited to the Xinguang (“spiritual light”) Lecture Hall at the City Branch of Zhaiming Monastery, Taoyuan, to share his views in regards the development of international affairs, based on years of observations. He talked about the revival of spirituality, currently a rising trend in the world, which corresponds to the idea of the Protecting the Spiritual Environment campaign that Dharma Drum Mountain has long since been promoting.

The trend can be observed in scientists, corporate management styles, and in terms of rapidly changing international geopolitics. His talk offered some 100 participants a broad perspective about the global movement on spiritual renaissance.

In 2007, Master Sheng-Yen proposed campaigns on the “Six Ethics of the Mind” to herald in a new era.

Focusing on the protection of the spiritual environment, the campaign encompasses six domains: family, life, school, environment, workplace as well as ethnic groups.

For the past ten years, in close collaboration with the Dharma Drum Fellowship system and its branching monasteries, the DDM Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation (HSIF) has developed multiple ways to vigorously promote the “Six Ethics of the Mind Campaign”, adapting to social dynamics and changes. Here, the DDM takes pleasure in sharing with you, all the efforts made over the years and, the aspiration to promote the “Six Ethics of the Mind” in the future.

DDM Meditation Activity Department and International Meditation Group (IMG) held a two-day Beginner’s Meditation class for English-speakers, at Yunlai Monastery, Taipei City, on November 4th and 5th, 2017. Ven. Guo Chan, the guiding teacher, engaged the class with a humorous and interesting approach, leading the group practice in a sharp yet warm manner. She used simple metaphor to explain the seemingly difficult theories, enabling participants from various cultures to familiarize themselves with the methods of practice, and helping them get a clearer understanding of the essentials of Chan practice and clarify their issues faced in daily life.

The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Sheng Yen Education Foundation and Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts jointly organized the Chinese Buddhism Young Scholars' Forum at the DDM campus on the 8th & 9th of September 2017.

The forum is an interactive platform for outstanding academic research on Buddhism. Over a hundred audience members, including renowned professors, young scholars and members of public institutions, universities and colleges from all over the world gathered to participate in the forum. It was a collective learning experience by sharing and exchanging intellectual thought, acknowledging outstanding contributions from academic achievers and a place to re-kindle the splendor of Buddhism through interactive discussion and the exchange of ideas.

DILA welcomed Venerable Master Xuecheng and his delegation:echoing invitation to the Fifth World Buddhism Forum

President of The Buddhist Association of China, Venerable Master Xuecheng (學誠大和尚), was recently invited to Taiwan to receive an honorary doctorate degree. On the day before his departure, Venerable Master Xuecheng led a delegation of 22 members from Mainland China's various educational and religious departments on a special visit to the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA). DDM’s Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, together with more than 30 monastic members of the Sangha and representatives of DILA welcomed the esteemed visitors. After a grand ceremony to pay respect to the Buddha , the whole group toured the campus compound, followed by engaging in a session of dialogues and exchanges over a cup of tea.

Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo Visits DILA

On April 21, 2017, Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts College received a special visitor – the world-renowned Tibetan bhikshuni Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, professor at the University of San Diego, and the founder and former president of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women (國際佛教善女人協會). She gave a talk on “Women in the Transformation of Buddhism,” sharing her experiences of over 20 years in care-giving and Buddhist nun training through providing education and working with international organizations.

One hundred youths enjoyed the simplicity of Chan


During the October 10th National Day Holidays, a group of young people put away their cell phones, laptops, and SNS APPs, and headed to a monastery far away from the modern cities. They adjusted to a slower pace of life, lived in quietude, and practiced Chan in every aspect of daily life. Adapting to a relaxed pace, with a keen sense of awareness, they were able to enjoy the simple nature of life.

When celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival facing the same moonlight, who would you like most to reunite with?

Nung Chan Monastery organized a Mid-Autumn Festival 2017 celebration event at the Water-Moon Pool at 6 p.m. on September 30. After the Dharma assembly of offering light to the Buddha, some 1,000 participants started to circumambulate the pool while holding lamps in their hands, to send out good wishes as witnessed by the full moon reflection in the water.