The Screening of Master Sheng Yen Film Inspires Overseas Viewers

Produced by Sheng Yen Education Foundation, Master Sheng Yen, a documentary on the subject of Dharma Drum Mountain's founder Master Sheng Yen's life, premiered on August 30, 2020, after more than 2 years in the making. More than 70 charitable screenings took place in Taiwan drawing over 40,000 viewers who relived the story of the Master's extraordinary contributions to the world, even overcoming the struggles and challenges he experienced in his life.
 
The originally scheduled screening overseas was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As a consequence, the foundation organized online screenings from December 20, 2020, to January 3, 2021 in 13 countries including the US, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. Invited to this special event were DDM's overseas volunteers, devotees, and their families and others interested in learning about how Master Sheng Yen spent his entire life devoted to the practice and propagation of Buddhism throughout the world.
 
People were touched by the film in a variety of ways and were moved by the Master's story. After the overseas online screening, some of DDM's branches held sharing and discussion sessions online, welcoming everyone to share their reflections and ideas about the film. Ven. Chang Shy, of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Center Malaysia, shared that through watching the film, she became reacquainted with the story of Master Sheng Yen. She noted in particular the Master's compassionate vows that were entirely devoid of the self and exclusively involved other sentient beings. Jessie Goulter from Australia said that the film inspired her to see Master Sheng Yen's life as an example of how to live one's own life as a Bodhisattva. It also made her grateful for the chance to learn about the Dharma through his life and his example. Albert Emily, from California, USA, shared that the film gave him a better understanding of how remarkable a person Master Sheng Yen was and the meaning behind Dharma Drum Mountain. Sung Yen-Shih, a devotee at the Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center, was inspired by promote Buddhism, which she regards as a way of showing gratitude to the Three Jewels and the Master. Many other people noted that the film, and the Master's story, will continue to bring them reflections on their lives.
 
Sheng Yen Education Foundation stated that there will be more online screening overseas in the future. They hope that the film will bring insights, reflections and inspiration to viewers overseas.