Wives of Foreign Diplomats Visit Nung Chan Monastery, Experience the Beauty of Buddhist Culture

Updated December 17, 2021
At 10 a.m. on December 8, Chen Yijun, the wife of deputy director of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the president of the Welcome to Taipei International Club, brought a delegation diplomats' wives from Denmark, Peru, India, Italy, and Russia, to visit Nung Chan Monastery. The group of nearly 40 people were given a tour to appreciate its architectural beauty, and partook in a meditation activity to have a taste of Chan practice by holding a bowl filled with water to circumambulate the monastery's Grand Buddha Hall.

With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions starting from December, Nung Chan Monastery reopened for booking for guided group tours. The monastery's director, Ven. Guo Yi, warmly welcomed the delegate, and shared the history of how Venerable Master Dongchu established the original Nung Chan Monastery, as well as how Master Sheng Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, later took over as the abbot and further developed its Buddhist education programs. Renovated and rebuilt in 2011, the monastery has since become an even more popular Buddhist monastery in Taipei. Located in the Ghandu Plain against the backdrop of Yangming Mountains and Guanyin Mountains, in the midst of rice paddies, the monastery features a serene environment and tranquil atmosphere perfect for engaging in Chan practice. Ven. Guo Yi encouraged the delegate to come and join its courses in the future as well, to experience more Chan practice.

Chen said that the Welcome to Taipei International Club aimed to help families of envoys to better acquaint themselves with Taiwan society through social activities and cultural exchange events. She also found the monastery's environment most serene and conducive to settling one's mind. After participating in the Chan practice activity, she was happily surprised and remarked, "I never imagined that walking while holding a bowl filled with water actually requires quieting one's mind. It's indeed a wonderful experience."

​"Witnessing the monastics' effort to share the Buddhist teaching and serve others by contributing themselves really touches me," said Anne Lisa, the wife of an Italian Representative to Taiwan. From the video introducing Nung Chan Monastery, she saw how, by organizing various activities and events, the monastery has become a spiritual center for local residents and Buddhist devotees.

Text: Ya-ying Ling (林雅櫻)
Photos: Ya-ying Ling (林雅櫻)
Translation: Vicky Wei (韋徵儀)
Editing: Chia-Cheng Chang (張家誠), Keith Brown