Venerable Master Sheng Yen Encourages Students to Promote Chinese Buddhism with Compassion and Wisdom
On the morning of 16 September, 2007, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) hosted a joint school graduation and the opening ceremony of Chung Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Dharma Drum Sangha University and Dharma Drum Buddhist College at the International Conference Hall of DDM's World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township, Taipei County.
This year thirty-one students graduated from the Chung Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies and the Dharma Drum Sangha University, as well as from the Chinese-Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Exchange Program.
After a demanding and grueling series of written and oral examinations, fifteen people successfully enrolled as the first postgraduate students of Dharma Drum Buddhist College, which was formally opened in April this year and approved by Taiwan's Ministry of Education. Forty-six students are also enrolled in the Dharma Drum Sangha University.
Over two hundred people attended the graduation celebrations; including the students' families as well as social celebrities. Venerable Master Sheng Yen, the Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, the President of the Chung Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies (CHIBS), Venerable Guo Zhao, the Honorary President of CHIBS, Dr. Lee Chihfu, Associate Dean of Dharma Drum Sangha University, Venerable Guo Jing, Dr. Tseng Jiqun and Dr. Liu Anzhi, were all present to convey their warmest blessings and encouragement.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen said in his speech that he is deeply looking forward to seeing all students truly implement DDM's ideas in their daily life and actively establish unique academic learning which exists on campus.
The Master went on to encourage students to apply compassion and the language skills they have obtained to promote Chinese Buddhism in the international community. This must be done in order to overcome the lack of confidence in Chinese Buddhism which many people have.
The Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong also encouraged students to continue in Master Sheng Yen's footsteps to care for all sentient beings with compassion and wisdom, and further promote Chinese Buddhism.
Aside from presenting prizes to students with exceptional performance, DDM prepared four special gifts including a recyclable cup, the Master's 108 Adages of Wisdom, a lunch box and mirror to welcome the sixty-one newly enrolled students. These four gifts were chosen as they represented the four Chinese characters combined together meaning 'compassion, wisdom, harmony and respect' which is the motto of the university.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
