​DDMBA Vancouver Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary, Inviting Mr. Shih Chien-chang to Share Dharma Drum Mountain's Founding Story

To commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA) in Vancouver, on the afternoon of March 2^nd, Dharma Drum Vancouver Center (DDVC) invited Mr. Shih Chien-chang (施建昌) – who formerly served as Associate Manager of the Relocation and Construction Committee and Chairman of the Sheng Yen Education Foundation – to share "The Story of Dharma Drum Mountain - Beginning Chapter" and Master Sheng Yen's compassionate aspirations and teachings in the Dharma Drum Vancouver Center (DDVC)'s Grand Hall. Mr. Shih Chien-chang meticulously recounted the story of Dharma Drum Mountain to the audience, bringing the 80 attendees back to the challenging early days of its establishment. 

In 1989, Master Sheng Yen founded Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM). Since then, Mr. Shih had taken on the arduous tasks of relocation and construction, initiated the fundraising program of Dharma Supporters and took charge of the casting of the Buddha statues and the Lotus Bell at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education Center, in addition to the construction of the Underground Palace under the Grand Buddha Hall of the Center. He organized four pilgrimages to India and China for both the Sangha and the laity, and chaired the work of the Sheng Yen Education Foundation to promote the ideals of Dharma Drum Mountain. He has been a witness to Dharma Drum Mountain's journey from its inception to growth and expansion. 

Mr. Shih began by recounting the origins of Dharma Drum Mountain's establishment. On March 25^th, 1989, during a Buddha name recitation Dharma assembly, Master Sheng Yen led the participants in reciting the Great Compassion Mantra (Nīlakaṇṭha Dhāraṇī) twenty-one times, praying for Guanyin Bodhisattva's blessing to find a site for the Dharma center. The following day, Venerable Quan Du (全度法師) in Jinshan Township, also recited the Great Compassion Mantra, praying for the land's transfer to virtuous practitioners who could take over his monastery enshrining Guanyin Bodhisattva. Through extensive negotiations and incessant fundraising efforts, Mr. Shih and the then secretary of the Master, Ms. Liao Jin Rung (廖今榕), finally acquired nearly 174 thousand square meters of land in Jinshan, enabling the smooth construction of DDM World Center for Buddhist Education. They were thereby praised by the Master as the "Bodhisattvas paving the path for the Dharma Drum Mountain's construction project."

Reflecting on the challenging process of negotiating land acquisitions, Mr. Shih emphasized the importance of strategic planning and relationship-building, which could not be accomplished in a short time. Mr. Shih admitted that, when Master Sheng Yen first proposed the vision of Dharma Drum Mountain in 1989, he didn't fully understand it. However, by simply working towards this goal, he naturally gained a deeper understanding of Master Sheng Yen's compassionate aspirations.

Mr. Shih went on to introduce the establishment of the Dharma Supporters system. In order to raise funds to purchase land, he suggested a shift from the previous spontaneous fundraising method to a long-term, membership-based approach, and he planned the organization of the Association of Dharma Supporters. After a Buddha name group recitation on March 11^th, 1989, Mr. Shih made the first donation to call on the public to contribute. The next day, after a meditation group practice, he knelt before the Master and made a vow in public to support Nung Chan Monastery (農禪寺) and the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies (中華佛研所) for the rest of his life. Upon hearing this, the Master reminded him that, to develop an immense mental capacity, he must not only think of Nung Chan Monastery and the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies. He encouraged Mr. Shih to vow to support all orthodox Buddhism, and all orthodox Buddhist education and studies. With deep feelings, Mr. Shih shared that the vow had influenced his whole life as he had thus established with the Master, the Sangha, and the adherents of DDM a great affinity that extends beyond this current life. Mr. Shih earnestly reminded the public that, when practicing Buddhism, one should make vows selflessly and without a sense of ego. After making vows, one should then strive to put them into action.


Mr. Shih reminisces about the numerous volunteers who dedicated themselves during the founding stage, much like the great Bodhisattvas who "have sprung up from the earth," as described in the Lotus Sutra. They worked side by side along with the Master on the arduous path of establishing Dharma Drum Mountain. He urged: "Propagating the Dharma is not about understanding profound scriptures; it's about how much faith you have in the Three Jewels, how much faith you have in the Master. Do you feel the suffering of sentient beings? Do you wish for their liberation from suffering? With this compassion, you will act!" His words were simple yet resonated deeply within the hearts of the listeners.





Original text written in Chinese by Dharma Drum Vancouver Center
Photos provided by Dharma Drum Vancouver Center
Translated by Siang-ling Li
Edited by Allison, Keith Brown