2025.12.31
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The Chronology of Chan(Zen) Master Hsin Tao

2025 Highlights & Milestones of Grand Master Hsin Tao (at age 77)
‧ Early January:
Met with Venerable Ru Der of the Bliss and Wisdom Sangha at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Mid-January:
Attended the 2024 Year-end Appreciation Gala and Certification Assembly for the LJM Dharmapala Federation at the Sheng Shan Sanctuary.

‧ Mid-January:
Witnessed an online session of the Honorary BOD Elite Core Team, highlighting "Service, Care, Fraternity, and Education" as the 2025 operational pillars; regional leaders shared their respective action plans for the year.

‧ Mid-January:
Met with Monsignor Stefano Mazzotti, Chargé d’affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy), at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Late January:
Attended the Lunar New Year Gathering and Reunion Gala for the Honorary BOD at the Shan Fa Building of the Sheng Shan Sanctuary; the Master offered a New Year sermon.

‧ Early February:
Attended the Lunar New Year Gathering for LJM staff at the Wu Sheng Monastery and offered a teaching; subsequently traveled to Ci Fa Temple to pay last respects to the late Venerable Jing Yao, Chairman of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China.

‧ Mid-February:
Met with Venerable Wei Wu, Abbot of Jing Yin Temple in Luzhou, New Taipei City, at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Late February to early April:
Conducted the Spring Meditation Retreat for monastics and laity at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Late February:
Expressed deep concern upon learning of the critical condition of His Holiness Pope Francis; directed that votive candles be lit at the Hall of Golden Buddhas in the Sheng Shan Sanctuary to pray for the Pope's well-being and speedy recovery.

‧ Early March:
Presided over the 2nd Meeting of the 4th Board of Directors and Supervisors and the Training Seminar of the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, held at the Museum of World Religions.

‧ Early March:
Presided over the 2nd Meeting of the 4th Board of Directors and Supervisors and the Training Seminar of the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, held at the Museum of World Religions.

‧ Early March to Early May:
Attended the online "Winter School 2025" organized by the ULP Preparatory Office, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Catholic Private University Linz; the Master led meditation and offered teachings.

‧ Mid-March:
Attended the 15th National Pu Jen Character Award Ceremony at the Fullon Hotel Fulong, New Taipei City.

‧ Late March:
Expressed immediate concern following a powerful earthquake in Myanmar; directed monastics to initiate disaster relief efforts and prayer sessions.

‧ Late April to Early May:
Conducted the "21-Day Great Compassion Mantra Retreat" at the Wu Sheng Monastery, reciting the mantra a thousand times daily and performing the Hundred Offerings to Avalokiteshvara.

‧ Early May:
Met with Fr. Paulin Kubuya, Undersecretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Fr. Edi Foschiatto of the Xaverian Missionaries, at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Mid-May:
Received Venerable Man Chuan, Abbot of Phap Lam Temple in Nantou, and Venerable Fa Hai at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Late May:
Offered online teachings on LJM Peace Meditation to practitioners in Germany and Austria; meanwhile, designated Venerable Guang Chuen to provide in-person guidance at the Benediktushof Meditation Center in Germany and the Reichersberg Monastery in Austria.

‧ Mid-June:
Received H.E. Dr. Robert Kennedy Lewis, Ambassador of Saint Lucia to the Republic of China (Taiwan), at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Mid-June:
Presided over the Inauguration of the LJM FuCheng, as well as the Consecration Ceremony of the Illuminating Jade Buddha and the Jeweled Reclining Buddha at the Sheng Shan Sanctuary; the Master personally presented Ashoka Pillar commemorative plaques to major benefactors in recognition of their significant contributions.

‧ Late June:
In celebration of LJM's 42nd Anniversary, Advisory Appointment Certificates were presented at the Hall of Golden Buddhas in the Sheng Shan Sanctuary to three venerable masters from Wat Bowonniwet Wihan, Thailand: Chao Khun Montri, Chao Khun Anilman, and Phrakhru Sangkhasittikorn.


‧ Mid-July:
Conducted the 9th Asian Seminar on LJM Spiritual Heritage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and offered an online teaching to the participants on the final day of the program.

‧ Mid-August to Early September:
Conducted the pre-ritual meditation retreat for the LJM Water, Land and Air Dharma Assembly at the Avalokiteshvara Shrine of the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Mid-September:
The 32nd LJM Water, Land and Air Dharma Assembly was inaugurated at the Taoyuan Arena, themed "Spiritual Awakening, Resonating with Ecology"; focusing on "Dietary Awakening," the event encouraged the public to use reusable tableware.

‧ Late September:
Conducted the "2025 Monastic Training Workshop" at the Wu Sheng Monastery and offered a teaching to the monastic community.

‧ Early October:
The 7th International Guanyin Culture Forum was held at the LJM FuCheng in the Sheng Shan Sanctuary; the Master delivered an opening address online.

‧ Late October:
Commemorating the first anniversary of the passing of Fethullah Gülen, a long-time interfaith friend and Turkish religious leader, designated Venerable Guang Guo to attend the memorial service and read the Master’s message of condolences.

‧ Late October:
Attended the "Appreciation Gathering with the Master" for LJM Honorary Board Members at the Shan Fa Building in the Sheng Shan Sanctuary.

‧ Late October to Early November:
Received an invitation to deliver a video address for the "International Celebration of 60 Years of Interreligious Dialogue" organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue; meanwhile, designated Venerable Xian Yue, CEO of the Development Foundation of the Museum of World Religions, to lead a delegation to the Vatican for in-person participation.

‧ Late October:
On the occasion of the Master’s Birthday, he attended the Longevity Dharma Ritual at the Milarepa Hall of the Wu Sheng Monastery and offered a teaching to the assembly.

‧ Early November:
Attended the "2025 General Assembly and Symposium on the Development of Humanistic Buddhism," organized by The United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, Chunghua, at the Jin Guang Ming Temple of Fo Guang Shan.

‧ Mid-to Late November:
Attended the "Transmission of the Lay Five Precepts and Bodhisattva Precepts" at the Sheng Shan Sanctuary; presiding as the Preceptor Master, he offered a teaching to the initiates.

‧ Mid-November:
Received Mr. Aytek Ciftci, Chairman of the Japan International Culture and Education Foundation (JICEF) and a disciple of the late Islamic thinker Fethullah Gülen, along with Dr. Osman Cubuk, Adjunct Assistant Professor at National Taiwan University (NTU), to share profound experiences in interreligious dialogue.

‧ Late November:
Designated Venerable Ken Huei to represent the Master at the 10th South China Sea Buddhism Roundtable held at Hongfa Temple in Shenzhen, China, and to deliver an address on his behalf.

‧ Late November:
Met with Venerable Sayadaw Aung San from Myanmar at the Wu Sheng Monastery.

‧ Late November:
In response to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong, the Master instructed the public to sincerely recite the "Universal Gate Chapter" and the "Great Compassion Dharani"; praying for the deceased to attain a fortunate rebirth, for the injured to recover quickly, and for the safety of all rescue personnel.

‧ Late November:
Officiated the Wedding Blessing Ceremony for newlyweds at the Golden Buddha Shrine in the Sheng Shan Sanctuary.

‧ Mid-to Late December:
Commenced the Avatamsaka Dharma Assembly at the Sheng Shan Sanctuary; the Master offered a teaching on the opening day.

‧ Mid-December:
Attended "An Audience with the Master: Incense Offering and Prayer," organized by the LJM Honorary Board of Directors (HBOD) Association at the Sheng Shan Sanctuary.

‧ Late December:
Designated Venerable Chang Chun and Venerable Xian Yue to lead a delegation to Xiamen, China, to attend "The Centenary Celebration of the Buddhist College of Minnan and the Cross-Strait Buddhist Cultural Exchange Series"; promoting the enduring bond of Buddhist culture across the Strait.