We are a branch of the world-wide Chung Tai organization
Discover Chung Tai
In 1987, the founding abbot of Chung Tai, Grand Master Wei Chueh built Lin Quan (“Spiritual Spring”) Monastery in northern Taiwan in response to the public’s request for his Dharma teaching. Since its opening, the Grand Master’s penetrating teaching revitalized the Chan(Chinese Zen)tradition in Taiwan, drawing many practitioners to Lin Quan. Soon the place became too small for the growing number of disciples.
In order to better accommodate the sangha (Buddhist monastics) and the public to practice the Dharma(the Buddha’s teachings), the Grand Master, supported by monastic and lay disciples, initiated the building of a new monastery in Puli, Nantou in central Taiwan in 1992. On September 1, 2001, the inauguration of Chung Tai Chan Monastery launched a new Chung Tai era of bringing the Dharma to communities far and wide.
The Three Links of Cultivation:
Integrated Spiritual Practice
Integrating the disciplines of service, scripture studies and meditation is the guiding principle for spiritual practice at Chung Tai. Each discipline complements and reinforces the other two: giving service brings merits that help one to progress on the path; studying scriptures cultivates the right understanding and insight into the Dharma; and meditation calms, clears and awakens the mind. Integrating the three ensures proper progress on the path to buddhahood.
The Four Tenets of Chung Tai:
Put Buddhism into Daily Practice
The Chan (Zen) teachings, although subtle and profound, are inseparable from the way we conduct our lives. The Four Tenets of Chung Tai are guidelines for practicing mindfulness in daily life:
To our elders be respectful:
Overcome arrogance with respect
To our juniors be kind:
Counteract anger with kindness
With all humanity be harmonious:
Dissolve violence with harmony
In all endeavors be true:
Eradicate deceit with truthfulness
The Five Directions of Spreading Buddhism: Adapting to today’s multifaceted society, the Grand Master introduced a modern approach of disseminating the Dharma: connect Buddhism with academia, education, art, science and daily living to enable people from all walks to explore and discover the purifying benefits of Buddhism. |
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
The architecture of Chung Tai Chan Monastery harmoniously integrates elements of art, culture and technology with the Dharma, and serves as a demonstration of the “Five Directions of Spreading Buddhism.” It was awarded the “Taiwan Architecture Award” in 2002, and the “International Award for Lighting Design” in 2003, writing a new page in 21th century Buddhist architecture.
Hallmark Features
Viewed from afar, the main building of Chung Tai resembles a cultivator in sitting meditation, surrounded by mountains, majestic and serene. The architecture itself serves to convey the Mahayana concept that “sudden enlightenment” and “gradual cultivation” are complementary paths to attaining buddhahood. At the building’s central axis, three buddha halls located on successive floors align with the Golden Dome on the apex of the building, symbolizing sudden enlightenment, the most direct path to the ultimate truth: “awaken the mind and see one’s true nature; seeing the true nature one becomes a buddha.” The three buddha halls feature the statues of the “Transformation Body Buddha” (on the 2F), “Bliss Body Buddha” (on the 5F), and “Dharma Body Buddha” (on the 9F), known in Buddhism as the “threefold body of the Buddha.”
On each side of the building, pilgrimage stairways leading to a bodhisattva hall represent the path of gradual cultivation. Out of selfless compassion, bodhisattvas vow to enlighten oneself as well as all beings, practicing step by step until buddhaood is attained.