The eight-day Great Compassion Rite of Water and Land this year held at Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education ended in joy and blessings on the afternoon of 4 December, 2009, with the Farewell to the Holy Ritual.

The Chung Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies of Dharma Drum Mountain has announced a partnership with Columbia University in the United States of America to create the Academic Publication of Chinese Buddhism Fund. The goal is to encourage more scholars to study Chinese Buddhism and has commenced with a US$250,000 donation approved by Taiwan's Ministry of Education.

The universe may one day perish, yet my vows are eternal

"What I am unable to accomplish in this life,
I vow to push forward through countless future lives.
What I am unable to accomplish personally,
I exhort everyone to undertake together."

A delegation from Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM), led by the Principle of Dharma Drum Buddhist College, Venerable Hui Min and the Deputy Abbot of DDM, Venerable Guo Pin attended the 2nd World Buddhist Forum which commenced on 28 March 2009 in Wuxi City of Jiangsu Province of China. The theme of the Forum is "A Harmonious World, A Synergy of Conditions".

On the morning of 15 November, 2009, the Peace of Mind Relief Station at Jiaxian Township of Kaohsiung County was formally inaugurated.

On the morning of 2 August 2009, Zhaiming Monastery situated in Daxi Township, Taoyuan County, was ‘re-inaugurated’ following four years of reconstruction and remodeling work. The Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong presided at the inauguration ceremony.

On the afternoon of 27 September 2009, Dharma Drum Mountain’s General Association of Dharma Upholder hosted a special fair, titled “A Mind at Peace, A Life at Peace - You Are Empowered” in Taoyuan to demonstrate the critical role of virtue in social harmony. Over 2 000 people participated in the event with their families and friends, making the fair full of joy and laughter.

The recent second World Buddhist Forum was organized in two parts. After attending the first part in Wuxi in Jiangsu Province on 28 and 29 March, the participants moved to Taiwan on 30 March to participate in the second part of the Forum that was conducted at different venues on 31 March and 1 April 2009.

The Most Venerable Master Sheng Yen let go of his physical body and left behind great compassion and great vows in this world

On the morning of 19 April 2009, the Nung Chan Monastery hosted a group Refuge-taking Ceremony. Close to 1500 attendees followed the directions of the Abbot, Venerable Guo Dong, to take refuge in the Three Jewels and vow to uphold the five precepts to become compassionate and faithful Buddhists.