On August 8th, Typhoon Morakot swept through southern Taiwan, destroyed houses and tore up roads in its path, rendering scores of people homeless and killing hundreds. Relief supplies and humanitarian assistance poured into affected areas in the wake of the killer typhoon.

On 26 December, 2009, an appreciation ceremony was held at Dharma Drum University (DDU) to recognize Rotary International in Taiwan (RIT) for its donation of more than two hundred roadside trees to be planted at the site of Dharma Drum University situated at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township, Taipei County.

On the morning of 11 September 2009, Nung Chan Monastery and Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture, Dharma Drum Mountain received awards at the International Convention Center of National Taiwan University from Taipei City Government for their long term humanitarian works to those in need. Venerable Jian Xin accepted on behalf of both organizations.

On the morning of 20 September 2009, Nung Chan Monastery of Dharma Drum Mountain hosted the 2009 Refuge-Taking Ceremony. Over a thousand people registered to formally make vows to become followers of the "Three Jewels" in Buddhism.

In the afternoon of August 27 2009, Premier of Executive Yuan, Chao-Shiuan Liu, met Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong at the An Ho branch office in Taipei to discuss the collaboration of the Mind Relief Project for people in the southern and eastern regions of Taiwan who were affected by Typhoon Morakot.

On 10 May 2009, Dharma Drum Mountain hosted a gala party with the theme "Peaceful Mind, Peaceful Life. You are empowered" at the Zhongshan Plaza of National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. The event was to promote the strength of virtues to the society and to commemorate the Vesak Festival as well as Mother's Day.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen once said that death is neither a joyful matter, nor an occasion for grief; rather it is an occasion for a noble and solemn Buddhist ritual.

In the afternoon of 12 November, 2009, Secretary General of Dharma Drum Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation (DDHSIF), Dr. Shen-Yi Lee, was presented with an award from the Federation of Non-Profit Association for his long-term commitment to humanitarian efforts in Taiwan at Taipei’s the Grand Hotel.

On the eve of Lunar Chinese New Year, 25 January 2009, the clear, heart-touching and inspirational sound of the Lotus Bell could be heard throughout Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township, Taipei County. Around one thousand devoted followers prayed in the "Bodhisattva Prayer Ritual", undetterred by the cold, windy and raining weather.

On the evening of 3 July 2009, the Dharma Drum Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation and the Alumni Association of the Ivy League in Taiwan co-hosted a symposium focusing on "Discovering the Codes of Happiness and Peace" at the Taipei International Convention Center.