Quotes by Sheng Yen

Sheng Yen (January 22, 1931 – February 3, 2009) was a prominent Taiwanese Buddhist monk, religious scholar, and writer, renowned for his contributions to Chan Buddhism. Born Zhang Baokang in Nantong, Jiangsu, China, he became a monk at the age of 13. During the Chinese Civil War, he enlisted in the Nationalist Army and relocated to Taiwan in 1949. After leaving the army, he resumed monastic life and received Dharma transmission in both the Linji and Caodong traditions.

In 1978, Sheng Yen became the abbot of Nung Chan Monastery in Taiwan. He later founded Dharma Drum Mountain, a Buddhist organization based in Taiwan, and established the Chan Meditation Center in New York City in 1988. Through these institutions, he taught and promoted Chan meditation worldwide.