Dharma Master Sheng Yen dies at age 80

President Ma Ying-jeou personally made a trip to Dharma Drum Mountain headquarters to pay his homage to the master, who founded the Dharma Drum Mountain Foundation in 1989 to promote humanistic Buddhism.

Cabinet spokesman Su Jun-pin said the teachings and values Master Sheng Yen advocated have become vital assets for Taiwan. He expects the teachings will continue to be treasured in the society.

Foundation officials have set up a commemorative hall at Jinshan in Taipei County for the public to pay homage stating at 8 a.m. today.

In accordance with Master Sheng-yen's will, a simple and thrifty funeral will be held on Friday. His ashes will be spread at the Life Education Garden at the Dharma Drum Mountain on Feb. 15.

Sheng Yen had his left kidney removed a few years ago after he developed a malignant tumor.

Three years ago, he began having dialysis three times a week because he lost the function of his right kidney.

Sheng Yen was diagnosed with urinary tract cancer late last year and was admitted into the National Taiwan University Hospital Jan.5.

Born near Shanghai in l931, Master Sheng-yen became a monk of Guang Jiao Monastery in the Wolf Hills of Nantung at age thirteen and had studied at several monasteries in China.

In 1949, during the Communist takeover of China, he joined a unit of the Nationalist Army and came to Taiwan and served as a wireless telegraph operator and telecom officer.

Continuing his studies nonetheless, he wrote his first book in 1956 and numerous articles during a sick leave from military service.

After ten years of service, he retired from the army and entered monastic practice again in 1959 at the Buddhist Culture Center in Peitou, Taipei.

As a lecturer on Buddhism at Shan Dao Temple in Taipei, he went to Japan where he received a master's degree (1971) and doctorate (l975) in Buddhist literature from Rissho University.

In 1985 he founded the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies in Taipei, a graduate school and conference center, and in 1989 the International Cultural and Educational Foundation of Dharma Drum Mountain.

Master Sheng-yen published more than 90 books, available in Chinese, English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and French. He had lectured at more than 40 universities in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe, and the U.S.

He was also active as an environmentalist. In August 2000 he was one of the keynote speakers at the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at United Nations, and in the environmental protection workshop at Waldorf Astoria Hotel. He received many other government awards for his humanitarian, cultural, and scholarly activities.

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