Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA), a US based non-profit organization, was founded in 1994 by Master Sheng Yen (1930–2009), a renowned Buddhist scholar, teacher and monk. He held a deep concern for the state of the world and recognized that religious and spiritual leaders must take an active role in addressing global issues to help humanity shift course.
Master Sheng Yen was born in 1930 in rural Shanghai and became a monk at the age of 13. Despite being firmly rooted in his native Chinese culture, language and Chan Buddhism, his career took him to Japan and ultimately to the United States where he brought Buddhist teachings to the west, engaged in interfaith initiatives and advocated for a set of global ethics.
In 2007, he was honored through the establishment of the Sheng Yen Chair in Chinese Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, in cooperation with the Sheng Yen Education Foundation. He authored many books on Buddhism and was an accomplished calligraphy artist.
Past Speeches by Master Sheng Yen
Eliminating Barriers, Enhancing Mutual Respect and Love
August 29, 2000
Interreligious Understanding and Cooperation
September 20, 2001
The “Sacred” in a Pluralistic World: Seeking Common Ground While Preserving Differences
February 1, 2002
Providing Economic Aid and Educational Support to Transform the Outlook of Fundamentalists
February 3, 2002
Combining the Power of Women in the Pursuit of World Peace
October 7, 2002
