Buddhist College of Min-Nan Marks Centennial: Wisdom Like a Tide, an Everlasting Dharma Lineage
Ling Jiou Mountain Prays for the Eternal Endurance of the True Dharma and Deepens Buddhist Educational Exchanges
Renowned as a pioneer of modern Buddhist education in China, the Buddhist College of Min-Nan held its "Centennial Celebration and Cross-Strait Buddhist Cultural Exchange Series" from December 16 to 18. Buddhist leaders and representatives gathered to reflect on the institution's century-long journey and engage in profound dialogues regarding Buddhist education, monastic cultivation, and cultural heritage. This grand event symbolizes a collective vision for Buddhism’s ongoing commitment to innovation and collaborative progress in the contemporary era.
Buddhist Representatives Gather to Celebrate a Century of Educational Legacy
"Sharing the Dharma Lineage, Promoting Compassion and Wisdom." A grand opening ceremony for the centennial celebration was held on the morning of December 17. Distinguished guests included representatives from Canada, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Macau. Attendees from Taiwan included Ven. Master Hsin Bao, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan; Ven. Master Jue Pei, Secretary-General of the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, Chunghua; Ven. Master Guo Dong, Retired Abbot of Dharma Drum Mountain; Ven. Master Jian-Ying, Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery; and Ven. Master Ming Guang, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China.
Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) was represented by an eight-member delegation, led by Ven. Master Chang Chun, Chief Superintendent of LJM; Ven. Master Xian Yue, Dean of the Education Division; Ven. Jing-Hua, Vice Dean of the Education Division; and Ven. Master Ken Huei, Vice Dean of the Monastic Department (Male) at Triyana Buddhist School, demonstrating their profound commitment to Buddhist education and religious exchange.
The Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) Buddhist Society has long been dedicated to and actively involved in religious exchanges. Although the Founding Abbot, Ven. Master Hsin Tao was unable to attend in person; he held the occasion in high regard, sending a congratulatory message alongside his personal calligraphy: "All-encompassing Wisdom flows as a tide; may the True Dharma endure forever." This profound dharma message serves as a blessing for the Buddhist College of Min-Nan’s century-old lineage to flourish without end. The inscription implies that if practitioners can realize the Dharma through supreme and perfect wisdom, they will gather strength as powerful as a tide, enabling the True Dharma to abide in the world, spread widely, and thrive eternally, reaching a state where wisdom and compassion manifest in perfect harmony.
Deep Dharma Connections: Decades of Continued Exchange and Cooperation
The bond between LJM and the Buddhist College of Min-Nan represents a significant Dharma connection built through years of mutual interaction. In November 2013, a delegation of teachers and students from LJM’s Triyana Buddhist School visited the college for a vibrant exchange on "Humanistic Buddhism in the Sangha." In June 2019, the college sent a large study group to Taiwan to visit the Museum of World Religions in Yonghe, New Taipei City, engaging in profound discussions on Dharma propagation, charity, culture, meditation, and Buddhist education. Most recently, in July 2024, the Rector, Master Ze Wu, and the Vice President, Master Hong Lai, led another delegation to Taiwan, focusing on religion, art, and life education. During this visit, they engaged in a video dialogue with Ven. Master Hsin Tao, regarding spiritual perspectives on global ecological sustainability, further demonstrates the deepening cooperation and ongoing dialogue in Buddhist education, cultural dissemination, and contemporary global concerns.
Through these extensive interactions, the delegation from the Buddhist College of Min-Nan has been deeply impressed by LJM's integrated "Three Vehicles in One" education system, which balances practical cultivation with cultural dissemination. Their exchange goes beyond formal rituals and institutional systems, focusing instead on shared inter-religious values and the spirit of Buddhism for Human Life. This partnership has established a paradigm of exchange characterized by an "equal emphasis on understanding and practice," where education and culture progress in tandem.
Continuing the Lineage of Exchange: Addressing the Contemporary Mission of Buddhist Education
During the centennial celebration of the Buddhist College of Min-Nan, the "12th Fujian-Taiwan Buddhist Forum and Roundtable Conference on Chinese Buddhist Talent" was held on the afternoon of December 17. Continuing this lineage of exchange, Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) was represented by Ven. Master Chang Chun, Chief Superintendent of LJM, and Ven. Master Xian Yue, Dean of the Education Division, who attended on behalf of Ven. Master Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of LJM.
In his address, Ven. Master Chang Chun emphasized that Buddhist education, talent cultivation, and cultural propagation are interdependent, with education serving as the foundation for the sustainable development of Buddhism. Following the Buddha’s teachings and inheriting Ven. Master Hsin Tao’s practical realization, LJM has established the "Four-Stage Education" system. This system centers on the cultivation of the mind and emphasizes the unity of understanding and practice. Through the sequential stages of Agama, Prajna, Lotus, and Avatamsaka, the system cultivates Buddhist talents who possess both compassion and wisdom, transcending the distinction between the mundane and the supramundane.
Addressing the contemporary global ecological crisis, Ven. Master Chang Chun shared Ven. Master Hsin Tao’s core philosophy: "Spirituality is Ecology." He expressed that Buddhist wisdom should be brought to bear on the challenges of our era, cultivating Dharma propagation talents with both inter-religious and cross-disciplinary perspectives. Finally, he looked forward to the continued deepening of cooperation in Buddhist education, as both institutions jointly fulfill the mission of passing the lamp of compassion and wisdom to sustain the life of the Buddha’s wisdom.
A Centennial Review and Future Outlook: Setting a Paradigm for Buddhist Education
On the afternoon of December 17, five academic forums were held alongside a diverse range of cultural and scholarly activities. These included the "Min-Nan Faculty and Students" essay series, a collection of centennial commemorative books, and a special bilingual (Chinese-English) edition of Hai Chao Yin (The Sound of the Sea Tide). These sessions systematically reviewed the historical role of the Eminent Master Tai Xu in introducing modern educational systems and practicing "Buddhism for Human Life." By examining faculty structures, curriculum evolution, and monastic cultivation, the forums demonstrated his profound influence on Chinese Buddhist education, leaving behind invaluable documentation for future research and heritage.
"From the Eminent Master Tai Xu’s grand vision of pioneering modern Buddhist education a century ago to the ongoing dialogues connecting generations today, the journey of the Buddhist College of Min-Nan serves as a vital microcosm of Buddhism’s modern transformation. Through its participation and long-term exchange, LJM stands with the global Buddhist community to witness this historic moment. It is hoped that, driven by the force of 'All-Encompassing Wisdom as a Tide,' the True Dharma will long abide in the world, illuminating the path of study and Dharma propagation for the century to come."
Buddhist Representatives Gather to Celebrate a Century of Educational Legacy
"Sharing the Dharma Lineage, Promoting Compassion and Wisdom." A grand opening ceremony for the centennial celebration was held on the morning of December 17. Distinguished guests included representatives from Canada, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Macau. Attendees from Taiwan included Ven. Master Hsin Bao, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan; Ven. Master Jue Pei, Secretary-General of the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, Chunghua; Ven. Master Guo Dong, Retired Abbot of Dharma Drum Mountain; Ven. Master Jian-Ying, Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery; and Ven. Master Ming Guang, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China.
Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) was represented by an eight-member delegation, led by Ven. Master Chang Chun, Chief Superintendent of LJM; Ven. Master Xian Yue, Dean of the Education Division; Ven. Jing-Hua, Vice Dean of the Education Division; and Ven. Master Ken Huei, Vice Dean of the Monastic Department (Male) at Triyana Buddhist School, demonstrating their profound commitment to Buddhist education and religious exchange.
The Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) Buddhist Society has long been dedicated to and actively involved in religious exchanges. Although the Founding Abbot, Ven. Master Hsin Tao was unable to attend in person; he held the occasion in high regard, sending a congratulatory message alongside his personal calligraphy: "All-encompassing Wisdom flows as a tide; may the True Dharma endure forever." This profound dharma message serves as a blessing for the Buddhist College of Min-Nan’s century-old lineage to flourish without end. The inscription implies that if practitioners can realize the Dharma through supreme and perfect wisdom, they will gather strength as powerful as a tide, enabling the True Dharma to abide in the world, spread widely, and thrive eternally, reaching a state where wisdom and compassion manifest in perfect harmony.
Deep Dharma Connections: Decades of Continued Exchange and Cooperation
The bond between LJM and the Buddhist College of Min-Nan represents a significant Dharma connection built through years of mutual interaction. In November 2013, a delegation of teachers and students from LJM’s Triyana Buddhist School visited the college for a vibrant exchange on "Humanistic Buddhism in the Sangha." In June 2019, the college sent a large study group to Taiwan to visit the Museum of World Religions in Yonghe, New Taipei City, engaging in profound discussions on Dharma propagation, charity, culture, meditation, and Buddhist education. Most recently, in July 2024, the Rector, Master Ze Wu, and the Vice President, Master Hong Lai, led another delegation to Taiwan, focusing on religion, art, and life education. During this visit, they engaged in a video dialogue with Ven. Master Hsin Tao, regarding spiritual perspectives on global ecological sustainability, further demonstrates the deepening cooperation and ongoing dialogue in Buddhist education, cultural dissemination, and contemporary global concerns.
Through these extensive interactions, the delegation from the Buddhist College of Min-Nan has been deeply impressed by LJM's integrated "Three Vehicles in One" education system, which balances practical cultivation with cultural dissemination. Their exchange goes beyond formal rituals and institutional systems, focusing instead on shared inter-religious values and the spirit of Buddhism for Human Life. This partnership has established a paradigm of exchange characterized by an "equal emphasis on understanding and practice," where education and culture progress in tandem.
Continuing the Lineage of Exchange: Addressing the Contemporary Mission of Buddhist Education
During the centennial celebration of the Buddhist College of Min-Nan, the "12th Fujian-Taiwan Buddhist Forum and Roundtable Conference on Chinese Buddhist Talent" was held on the afternoon of December 17. Continuing this lineage of exchange, Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) was represented by Ven. Master Chang Chun, Chief Superintendent of LJM, and Ven. Master Xian Yue, Dean of the Education Division, who attended on behalf of Ven. Master Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of LJM.
In his address, Ven. Master Chang Chun emphasized that Buddhist education, talent cultivation, and cultural propagation are interdependent, with education serving as the foundation for the sustainable development of Buddhism. Following the Buddha’s teachings and inheriting Ven. Master Hsin Tao’s practical realization, LJM has established the "Four-Stage Education" system. This system centers on the cultivation of the mind and emphasizes the unity of understanding and practice. Through the sequential stages of Agama, Prajna, Lotus, and Avatamsaka, the system cultivates Buddhist talents who possess both compassion and wisdom, transcending the distinction between the mundane and the supramundane.
Addressing the contemporary global ecological crisis, Ven. Master Chang Chun shared Ven. Master Hsin Tao’s core philosophy: "Spirituality is Ecology." He expressed that Buddhist wisdom should be brought to bear on the challenges of our era, cultivating Dharma propagation talents with both inter-religious and cross-disciplinary perspectives. Finally, he looked forward to the continued deepening of cooperation in Buddhist education, as both institutions jointly fulfill the mission of passing the lamp of compassion and wisdom to sustain the life of the Buddha’s wisdom.
A Centennial Review and Future Outlook: Setting a Paradigm for Buddhist Education
On the afternoon of December 17, five academic forums were held alongside a diverse range of cultural and scholarly activities. These included the "Min-Nan Faculty and Students" essay series, a collection of centennial commemorative books, and a special bilingual (Chinese-English) edition of Hai Chao Yin (The Sound of the Sea Tide). These sessions systematically reviewed the historical role of the Eminent Master Tai Xu in introducing modern educational systems and practicing "Buddhism for Human Life." By examining faculty structures, curriculum evolution, and monastic cultivation, the forums demonstrated his profound influence on Chinese Buddhist education, leaving behind invaluable documentation for future research and heritage.
"From the Eminent Master Tai Xu’s grand vision of pioneering modern Buddhist education a century ago to the ongoing dialogues connecting generations today, the journey of the Buddhist College of Min-Nan serves as a vital microcosm of Buddhism’s modern transformation. Through its participation and long-term exchange, LJM stands with the global Buddhist community to witness this historic moment. It is hoped that, driven by the force of 'All-Encompassing Wisdom as a Tide,' the True Dharma will long abide in the world, illuminating the path of study and Dharma propagation for the century to come."