In 1987, Grand Master Weichueh established Ling Quan (“Spiritual Spring”) Monastery in response to his disciples’ need for a place of spiritual cultivation and refuge. Before long, it became clear that within this modest mountain sanctuary, a rare Buddhist master and great teacher had emerged. With his inimitable aura of calm, penetrating insight, and gift for clearly articulating the profound wisdom of the Buddha, the Grand Master played a pivotal role in revitalizing Chan (Zen) Buddhism in Taiwan. As interest in his teachings grew, Ling Quan Monastery could no longer accommodate the steadily increasing number of followers.

In fulfillment of his compassionate vow to provide a complete environment for all who seek to learn and practice the Buddhadharma, the Grand Master initiated the design of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in 1992. After three years of planning and seven years of construction—guided by his vision and supported by the devotion and generosity of disciples and friends—the landmark monastery opened its doors on September 1, 2001, ushering in a new era for the propagation of Buddhism at Chung Tai.

 

The Chung Tai Tradition

The Buddhadharma is vast and profound, offering many paths to spiritual awakening. To help practitioners focus and deepen their cultivation, Grand Master Weichueh emphasized three guiding principles: the Three Links of Cultivation, the Four Tenets of Chung Tai, and the Five Approaches to Propagating Modern Buddhism.

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Three Links of Cultivation — A Principle for Complete Spiritual Practice
The integration of three essential disciplines—cultivation of merit, scriptural study, and meditation—is the guiding principle of Chung Tai for a well-rounded Buddhist practice. Each discipline forms an inseparable link that complements and strengthens the others.

Cultivating merit involves performing good deeds and offering service to the monastery and the broader community. Diligent study of the Dharma helps establish right view and deepens insight. Meditation calms and clarifies the mind, allowing wisdom to arise. When these three disciplines are practiced in harmony, they ensure steady and balanced progress on the path to Buddhahood.

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The Four Tenets of Chung Tai — Concrete Guidelines for Practicing the Dharma

The inconceivable and profound teachings of Chan (Zen) are closely connected to everyday life. The Four Tenets of Chung Tai provide clear, practical guidelines for applying the Dharma in daily living:

 

To our elders be respectful: respect subdues arrogance
To our juniors be kind: kindness dispels anger
With all humanity be harmonious: harmony overcomes rudeness and violence
In all endeavors be true: truthfulness eradicates deceit.

 

The Five Approaches to Propagating Modern Buddhism

To remain relevant and impactful, Buddhism must thoughtfully engage with the environment and culture of modern society. Grand Master Weichueh advocated The Five Approaches to Propagating Modern Buddhism: Buddhism in academic research, education, culture and the arts, science, and daily living. These five approaches address the diverse needs and interests of people from all backgrounds, opening multiple pathways to experience the transformative benefits of the Dharma and to realize true liberation.

 

Architectural Design

The architecture of Chung Tai Chan Monastery embodies a harmonious integration of art, culture, science, and the teachings of the Buddha—a remarkable expression of Buddhism applied through the Five Directions. Shortly after its completion, the monastery received widespread acclaim, earning the 23rd Annual Taiwan Architecture Award in 2002 and the 20th International Award for Lighting Design in 2003. Recognized both nationally and internationally, the monastery stands as a landmark of 21st-century religious architecture.

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Special Features of the Monastery
From a distance, Chung Tai Chan Monastery resembles a serene cultivator seated in meditation, encircled by mountains—majestic and tranquil. The entire structure reflects the Dharma, symbolizing the integration of sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation.

At its core, the three central Buddha halls rise upward to a golden dome, representing sudden enlightenment and the realization of ultimate truth: “Awaken the mind and see the true nature; seeing the true nature, one becomes a Buddha.” Flanking both sides, the pilgrimage stairways embody the path of gradual cultivation practiced by bodhisattvas through the six paramitas (perfections). Each step signifies steady progress toward Buddhahood—not just for oneself, but for the liberation of all beings.

 

Organization of Chung Tai

Chung Tai follows the Sixfold Harmony established by the Buddha as the foundation for a united and disciplined Sangha. These six principles are: physical harmony through communal living, verbal harmony through the absence of disputes, mental harmony through mutual joy, moral harmony through shared observance of the precepts, harmony of views through common understanding of the teachings, and economic harmony through the equitable sharing of resources. These guiding principles shape the organization and daily functioning of the monastic community, fostering a spirit of unity, respect, and collective cultivation.

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Threefold Educational Directive:
Sangha Education, Social Education, and School Education
Grand Master Weichueh, deeply recognizing the vital role of education in spiritual and societal well-being, developed a comprehensive Threefold Educational Directive: Sangha education, social education, and school education.

His foremost priority is to cultivate well-trained monastics capable of propagating the Dharma with clarity and compassion. To disseminate the Dharma within the wider community, he established meditation centers and organized Dharma lectures and services, making Buddhist teachings accessible to people from all walks of life. Simultaneously, he dedicated himself to founding Pu Tai Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools to provide young people with a well-rounded education grounded in moral and spiritual values.

Through this integrated approach, the core virtues of Buddhism—compassion, peace, and wisdom—are shared across generations and woven into the fabric of everyday life.