​Dharma Drum Mountain Composed and Chorused Buddhist Songs to Commemorate Master Sheng Yen's Kindness

To commemorate the 15^th anniversary of the passing of its founder, Master Sheng Yen, Dharma Drum Mountain held the "Repaying the Master's Kindness Concert" from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on March 10th at Nung Chan Monastery (農禪寺), where Master Sheng Yen began to spread the Dharma. The concert was attended by more than 2,500 people, with a total of 275 people performing on stage, expressing their gratitude to Master Sheng Yen. 

Given the adherents' remembrance of the Master Sheng Yen's kindness, the main organizer, Dharma Drum Mountain Dharma Affinity Society, co-hosted the concert with the Dharma Drum Mountain Choir and the Young People Development Department, both of which have also been established for thirty years. Through chanting Buddhist songs, they hope to commemorate Master Sheng Yen's teachings. Both Mr. Chang Chang-pang (張昌邦), the President of General Association of Dharma Supporters, and Ms. Yeh Su-Chen (葉素貞), the President of Dharma Drum Mountain Dharma Affinity Society, delivered speeches on behalf of the adherents. They hoped to engage everyone in repaying the Master's kindness of teachings through the propagation of Spiritual Environmental Protection. 

Among the nearly 20 pieces in the repertoire, the lyrics of six songs were written by Master Sheng Yen. During the concert, the Dharma Affinity Society, the Dharma Drum Mountain Choir, the Dharma Drum for Young People, the Mind Theatre of the Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation, and songwriter Mr. Kang Ji-liang (康吉良) sang together to convey their gratitude to Master Sheng Yen. Famous Taiwanese singer-songwriter Alan Kuo (柯有倫), performed his song "Join Palms" (雙手合十). Renowned harpist Dr. Chen Chao-Pei (陳釗沛) was also invited to perform. Vox Nativa Children's Choir, who has toured many countries around the world, presented eight moving songs during the concert. This was their first time to spread the gospel at a monastery. Principal Bukut Tasvaluan (馬彼得), who serves as the conductor of the Choir, remarked, "What Master Sheng Yen impressed upon me the most is his conversation with Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi (單國璽) of the Catholic Church. I rejoice at that scene. When you look at it from this perspective, there is no barrier between religions." He indicated that he quite agreed with the purpose for Dharma Drum Mountain in organizing the concert. The children were not practicing the chorus for the sake of performance, but, more so to help more people with their singing. For Vox Nativa Children's Choir, each one of their performance is educational.

In addition to listening to Buddhist music, the audience was once again able to review Master Sheng Yen's Dharma talk given in 1999: "I do not think my disciples owe me any favors just because I have taught them. Neither do I expect them to repay me anything. I do it to repay the kindness of the Three Jewels, so I must vow to practice and learn Buddhadharma as well as support and propagate it." Master Sheng Yen said that he was also repaying the kindness of his disciples and followers. He encouraged everyone to repay the kindness of all by promoting Dharma Drum Mountain's ethos.

By the end of the concert, the Abbot President, Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師), reaffirmed the vision of Dharma Drum Mountain, which is to "Uplift the character of humanity and build a pure land on earth." He then led all the followers in a prayer, and extended appreciation to all the monastics and the laity who participated and performed during the concert. He also wished for more people to obtain the compassion and wisdom of Buddhadharma.

The concert concluded at 6:00 p. m. with thousands of on-site participants gratefully sang two songs written by Master Sheng Yen in the U. S. in 1990, namely "The Common Endeavor of Buddhists" and "The Practice of Bodhisattvas." According to Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Sheng Yen once said that he did not need his disciples to commemorate him, and that the best way to remember him was to implement his teachings.