Master Sheng Yen

Master Sheng Yen became an acolyte at the Guangjiao Monastery in Jiangsu Province, China, and adopted the monk name Changjin. He would use this name until 1950. Photo taken in 1988.

During the summer of 1947, acolyte Changjin went to Shanghai and enrolled in the Jing’an Buddhist Studies Institute as a transfer student.

At age 17, the acolyte Changjin posed for this photo with fellow acolyte Shoucheng (right).

In July 1948, Changjin (second from right, front row) graduated with the first graduating class of the Jing’an Buddhist Studies Institute, as seen in this group photo.

Changjin’s diploma from the Jing’an Buddhist Studies Institute.

In 1949, Master Sheng Yen arrived in Taiwan with the Kuomingtang army. He soon joined the military and was assigned to the Communications Unit. Photo taken in 1950. Master Sheng Yen (second from right, front row) was undergoing training with his Sixth Telegram Station colleagues.

Master Sheng Yen (center) in military uniform with colleagues.

Master Sheng Yen in military uniform.

January 1960 Master Sheng Yen became a monk again with the help of Master Dongchu (right), who gave Master Sheng Yen his monk name: Huikong Sheng Yen. Photo taken later in the U.S. in 1976.

Currently there are two main Chan lineages: Caodong and Linji. Master Sheng Yen received his Caodong lineage from Master Dongchu, and his Linji lineage from Master Lingyuan (seated) in 1978.

In late 1961, Master Sheng Yen went to southern Taiwan to the Chaoyuan Monastery to begin a multi-year solitary retreat. The retreat hut, named Yingluo, was completed in September 1963. Master Sheng Yen would finish his solitary retreat in February1968, with a brief break in between.

In March 1969 Master Sheng Yen arrived in Japan to begin his Ph.D. studies at Risshō University, Tokyo. The lay practitioner Mr. Shen Jiazhen (center left) secretly sponsored Master Sheng Yen’s study in Japan.

Master Sheng Yen received his Ph.D. degree in Japan. Photo shows Master Sheng Yen receiving his diploma from Dr. Masamichi Sugaya, President of Risshō University, Tokyo, Japan.

Master Sheng Yen’s Ph.D. diploma.

Soon after receiving his Ph.D. degree, Master Sheng Yen arrived on the west coast of the U.S. in late 1975 and arrived in New York in January 1976. He soon began teaching Chan meditation at the Dajue Monastery, where Master Renjun was abbot. Photos shows Master Sheng Yen teaching meditation in the monastery’s Guanyin Hall.

Master Sheng Yen leading Chan practitioners in walking meditation.

October 1979, with the generous help of Master Renjun and Mr. Shen Jiazhen, Master Sheng Yen acquired the property of a car repair shop, which became the first address for the Chan Meditation Center in Queens, NY. Master Sheng Yen utilized the second floor for seven-day retreats. Photo shows Master Sheng Yen with participants in a summer 1980 retreat.

Façade of Chan Meditation Center, Queens, NY.

Master Sheng Yen standing outside the Chan Meditation Center.

In 1989, Master Sheng Yen located a mountain in northern Taiwan that was to become the headquarters of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center.

Master Sheng Yen performing the eye-opening ceremony for the Grand Buddha in the Buddha Hall on Dharma Drum Mountain in Taiwan.

Photo shows April 1989 Master Sheng Yen leading meditation retreats in Wales (UK). That year Master Sheng Yen also led a retreat in Texas (USA).

Master Sheng Yen established the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA) in the U.S.

Master Sheng Yen established the Dharma Drum Retreat Center (DDRC) in Pine Bush, New York. The Center took the Munsee Lenape name Shawangunk, which means “in the smoky air.” Photo taken in May, 2002.

Master Sheng Yen leading a walking meditation at DDRC during a meditation retreat

Master Sheng Yen went to Warsaw, Poland, to propagate Buddhism and lead a seven-day meditation retreat.

In May, 1997, Master Sheng Yen traveled to Croatia to conduct a three-day meditation retreat.

In October, 1997, Master Sheng Yen attended the 11th UN World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders in Italy, where he met with Pope John Paul II.

In early May, 1998, Master Sheng Yen and His Holiness the Dalai Lama jointly conducted a three-day dialogue on “Method of Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom”.

A Chinese Buddhist leader, Master Sheng Yen presented a speech at the UN Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, in which he outlined his ideas on the Protecting the Spiritual Environment Movement.

Master Sheng Yen arrived in Mexico to lead a seven-day Silent Illumination retreat. Photo shows Master Sheng Yen with retreat participants.

After an ancient stone Buddha head had been donated to Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Sheng Yen reunited the head of Akṣobhya Buddha with its original body in situ at Shentong Monastery (built in 611), Shandong Province, China.

Master Sheng Yen arrived in Russia to lead a seven-day meditation retreat. Forty-eight Russian participants were at this event. Photo taken in the meditation hall.

Master Sheng Yen arrived in Russia to lead a seven-day meditation retreat. Forty-eight Russian participants were at this event. Photo taken in a field.

Master Sheng Yen held the three-day Young Leaders Peacebuilding Retreat at DDRC. This event brought together 75 young leaders from Africa, Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Photo shows Master Sheng Yen giving the closing remarks to encourage these young leaders to promote peace from their hearts.

In Taipei, Master Sheng Yen held a dialogue on spirituality with the astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell.

Master Sheng Yen passed away in Taiwan on February 3, 2009. The two-line text on this banner summarized Master Sheng Yen’s lifetime endeavor: The Universe may one day perish Yet my vows are eternal.

At the burial ceremony, Abbott President of DDM Master Guodong plants Master Sheng Yen’s ashes into the ground at Dharma Drum Mountain Green Life Park, New Taipei City, Taiwan.