DDM Sangha University

Growing Future Dharma Teachers Our academic efforts provide formal education to individuals, preparing them for advance research, teaching, Dharma ministering, or other professional endeavors. They include the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies (CHIBS) which was established in 1985, Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts(Its former name was the Dharma Drum College of Humanities and Social Sciences) which obtained planning permit from the Ministry of Education in 1998, and the Buddhist Seminary of Dharma Drum Sangha University, founded in 2001.   Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies (CHIBS)   Education has always the major concern of Dharma Drum Mountain, as the founder Master Sheng-Yen has demonstrated a variety of approaches and perspectives for fulfillment of Buddhism via education. Among such attempts, the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies (CHIBS) should be considered as the starting point officially for the Master’s devotion in higher education in Buddhism.   The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies was established by Master Sheng Yen in 1985, succeeding the former Institute of Buddhist Studies in the College of Chinese Culture for which the master had served as director since 1978. CHIBS was originally positioned in Beitou, Taipei. Then in 2001, CHIBS relocated to the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan. Since then, the branch of academic education in the threefold education of DDM has reached an advanced stage of progress.   The objectives of the Institute are "to enhance Chinese culture, promote international Buddhist scholarly research, foster a high standard of Buddhist education, and develop ministering talents." The founder has composed a verse as the institutional principles for CHIBS, translated into English as: Rooting in the Chinese, branching out to the global. Specializing in Buddhism, upholding the Dharma. To sustain comprehension and