＊主題一＊開山願力，千年傳承
Inheriting a Thousand Years of Aspiration
法鼓山的出現，不是由於我聖嚴一個人的努力，除了跟我同時奉獻的廣大菩薩群之外，也不可忘了法鼓山的源頭活水是從何時何處流傳下來的。因為飲水思源，知恩報恩，是我們法鼓山的主要信條。
──聖嚴法師
The emergence of Dharma Drum Mountain is not solely the result of my efforts alone.
Beyond the countless individuals who have devoted themselves to its founding, we must also remember the roots of Dharma Drum Mountain.
For recognizing our origins and repaying kindness are core principles of Dharma Drum Mountain.
— Master Sheng Yen
▎歷代祖師的願力
The Aspiration of Lineage Masters
兩千六百年前，釋迦牟尼佛成道後，四方遊化說法，為的是，幫助眾生打開智慧之門，契入真理，解脫生死。
佛教傳入中國後，歷代祖師們譯經、建寺、立軌範、倡理念，為的是，使僧眾安住修行，使芸芸眾生有所歸依。
2,600 years ago, after attaining enlightenment, Sakyamuni Buddha journeyed across India, imparting his teachings to guide sentient beings toward wisdom, truth, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. When Buddhism was later introduced to China, the lineage masters translated scriptures, built temples, established monastic codes, and expounded essential doctrines to provide a harmonious environment for monastics to cultivate the path and for all sentient beings to find refuge in the Dharma.
▎法鼓山的源頭—中華佛教文化館
The Origin of Dharma Drum Mountain — The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture
聖嚴法師創建法鼓山，推動三大教育，實踐人間淨土的理念，背後的源頭，來自恩師東初老人創立的中華佛教文化館，影印《大藏經》、發行《人生》雜誌、開辦冬令救濟，奠下根基，法師接續文化使命，創辦中華佛學研究所，開展大學院教育。
Master Sheng Yen founded Dharma Drum Mountain to promote the Threefold Education and realize the vision of a Pure Land on Earth. Its origins trace back to the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture, founded by Master Dong Chu, who laid a foundation by reproducing the Buddhist Canon (Tripitaka), publishing Humanity Magazine, and organizing winter charitable initiatives. Carrying forward this cultural mission, Master Sheng Yen went on to establish the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies and launched Extensive Academic Education.
＊主題二＊聖嚴法師，16年的開山行願（1989～2005）
Master Sheng Yen’s 16 Years of Establishing Dharma Drum Mountain (1989–2005)
在大家共同走過篳路藍縷的歲月中，留下了許多值得紀念的人與事，這些人物與事件，既參與了法鼓山每一次往前跨進的因緣，也見證著人間淨土步步推展的過程。
──聖嚴法師
During the years we journeyed together through many challenges, countless people and events left lasting impressions worth remembering.
They not only shaped every step forward of Dharma Drum Mountain but also witnessed the gradual realization of our vision of a Pure Land on Earth.
— Master Sheng Yen
1989年，法鼓山落腳北海岸的金山區，2005年，法鼓山世界佛教教育園區落成開山，十六年的開山歲月，聖嚴法師不只在法鼓山上建設道場，也率領四眾弟子推行法鼓山的理念，展開人心的開山工程。
In 1989, Dharma Drum Mountain was founded in the Jinshan District on Taiwan’s north coast. In 2005, the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education was officially inaugurated. Over these sixteen years, Master Sheng Yen not only built a monastery but also guided his disciples in realizing Dharma Drum Mountain’s vision—awakening people to the treasure mountain within their own minds.
(１)眾緣匯聚，創建法鼓山
Together, We Built Dharma Drum Mountain
法鼓山的出現，緣於中華佛學研究所、農禪寺迫切需要辦學空間和遷建之地。聖嚴法師與弟子們四處覓地，1989年，在觀音菩薩護念、眾因緣成就之下，創建了法鼓山。
由此匯聚十方的力量，成立護法會和行政體系，推動法鼓山世界佛教教育園區的建設，並以「提昇人的品質，建設人間淨土」作為團體的理念，從教育、文化、禪修、關懷等面向，推展淨化人心、淨化社會的工作。
The founding of Dharma Drum Mountain arose from the urgent need to relocate the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies and Nung Chan Monastery. Master Sheng Yen and his disciples searched extensively for a suitable location until, in 1989, through the blessings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and the convergence of many favorable conditions, Dharma Drum Mountain was established.
With support from all directions, the formation of a devoted community of Dharma protectors and a structured administrative system propelled the construction of the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education. Guided by the vision of "uplifting the character of humanity and building a pure land on earth," the center is dedicated to purifying minds and society through education, culture, meditation, and caring service.
(２)倡導理念，淨化人心
Spread the Vision, Purify All Minds
法鼓山開山過程中，除了硬體的建築，聖嚴法師同時著力於軟體建設，提出「提昇人的品質，建設人間淨土」為法鼓山的理念，以及「奉獻我們自己，成就社會大眾」等法鼓山的共識。
1992年起，法師以「心靈環保」為核心精神，倡導「心靈、禮儀、生活、自然」四種環保，以及「心五四」、「心六倫」等淨化人心的運動，並以「大學院、大普化、大關懷」三大教育來實踐理念。
During the founding of Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Sheng Yen emphasized not only physical construction but also the development of its guiding principles. He proposed the vision of “uplifting the character of humanity and building a pure land on earth,” along with common ethos such as “giving of ourselves for the benefit of all.”
Since 1992, Master Sheng Yen has upheld the Protection of Spiritual Environment as the core spirit of Dharma Drum Mountain, advocating the Four Kinds of Environmentalism—spiritual, social, living, and natural. To further purify human minds, he initiated movements such as the Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign and the Six Ethics of the Mind Campaign. This vision has been put into practice through the Threefold Education: Extensive Academic Education, Extensive Public Buddhist Education, and Extensive Social Care Education.
(３)革新傳統，承先啟後
Innovating Tradition: Inheriting the Past, Shaping the Future
弘揚佛法，需回歸佛陀時代的精神，也需適應時代環境的變遷。站在承先啟後的立足點，聖嚴法師根據教理和經論，革新不合時宜的佛教傳統。1991年起於美國、臺灣，傳授以「四弘誓願」、「三聚淨戒」等為基礎的在家菩薩戒。
2004年，整合古今佛教各傳承的修行方法及內容，提出「中華禪法鼓宗」。此外，為改良傳統經懺佛事，2007年起，啟建了融合現代環保觀念、回歸修行精神的大悲心水陸法會。
To propagate the Dharma, we must return to the spirit of the Buddha’s time while adapting to the changing conditions of the modern world. With a commitment to both preserving tradition and inspiring future generations, Master Sheng Yen reformed outdated Buddhist traditions in accordance with foundational doctrines and scriptures.
Beginning in 1991, he began transmitting the lay Bodhisattva precepts—rooted in the Four Great Vows and the Three Collective Pure Precepts—in both the United States and Taiwan.
In 2004, Master Sheng Yen synthesized the methods and teachings of various Buddhist traditions, both ancient and modern, and established the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism. Furthermore, to refine traditional Buddhist repentance rituals, he initiated the Great Compassion Water and Land Dharma Service in 2007, which integrates principles of environmental protection while returning to the true essence of spiritual practice.
(４)心靈環保，走向世界
Protecting the Spiritual Environment Goes Global
聖嚴法師所倡導的「心靈環保」，是引導不同宗教、種族、文化的每一個人，隨時安定自我身心、減少人我煩惱的觀念和方法，其中，禪修是做好「心靈環保」的基本工夫。
1989年起，法師應邀至歐美各國指導禪修、分享禪法；2000年，受邀至聯合國「世界宗教暨精神領袖和平高峰會」發表演說，提出「心靈環保」對於世界和平的重要性，呼籲以慈悲關懷各族群，用智慧化解宗教和種族間的問題。
Master Sheng Yen advocated "Protecting the Spiritual Environment" as both a concept and practice to help people of all religions, races, and cultures calm their bodies and minds and reduce afflictions. Meditation serves as the foundational method for realizing this vision.
Since 1989, Master Sheng Yen had been invited to Europe and the United States to lead Chan meditation retreats and teach Chan practices. In 2000, he was invited to speak at the United Nations’ World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, where he emphasized the importance of Protecting the Spiritual Environment for achieving world peace. In his speech, he called for loving care for all ethnic groups and the application of wisdom to resolve religious and racial conflicts.
（５）創校建僧，培育人才
Building Institutions, Cultivating Talent
佛法屬於人間，是每個人都需要的教育，因此，聖嚴法師將法鼓山定位為「世界佛教教育園區」。弘揚佛法需要人才，繼培育佛教學術人才的中華佛學研究所之後，2001年，法師以培養漢傳佛教宗教師為宗旨，創辦法鼓山僧伽大學。
2007年，通過教育部核可的法鼓佛教學院成立，2014年與籌備中的法鼓人文社會學院合併，成為法鼓文理學院，培養心靈環保的領導人才，實現興學育才的願景。
The Dharma belongs in the human world—it is an education essential for all. With this understanding, Master Sheng Yen positioned Dharma Drum Mountain as a World Center for Buddhist Education. Recognizing that propagating the Dharma requires dedicated individuals, he first founded the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies to cultivate academic talent in Buddhist studies. In 2001, he went on to establish Dharma Drum Sangha University, with the goal of training religious teachers in Chinese Buddhism.
Later, in 2007, Dharma Drum Buddhist College was established with the approval of the Ministry of Education. In 2014, it merged with the under-preparation Dharma Drum College of Humanities and Social Sciences to form the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, with the mission of cultivating talent dedicated to Protecting the Spiritual Environment.
（６）落成開山，大悲心起
The Rising Great Compassion Inauguration Ceremony
2005年10月21日，籌建十六年的法鼓山世界佛教教育園區，正式落成開山，向全球宣告法鼓山已經落成，歡迎所有人來接受淨化心靈的教育，也宣告法鼓山的理念和功能，是協助全人類開發自心慈悲和智慧的寶山。
開山大典以「大悲心起」為主題，希望每個人從內心生起大悲心，平等看待和愛護家人、朋友、社會及所有族群，也呼籲全世界的人發起大悲心，才能讓人類社會有永久的和平。
On October 21, 2005, after 16 years of construction, the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education was officially inaugurated. This momentous event marked the Center’s declaration to the world: Dharma Drum Mountain’s mission is to assist all of humanity in purifying the mind and cultivating compassion and wisdom.
The theme of the inauguration ceremony, "The Rising Great Compassion," called upon humanity to awaken great compassion within. It urged people to treat and love their families, friends, communities, and all ethnic groups with equality—paving the way for a society rooted in lasting peace.
＊主題三＊法鼓四眾，16年的願力相續（2009～2025）
The Fourfold Assembly's 16 Years of Unwavering Aspiration (2009–2025)
法鼓山是千年的道場，能夠持續不變，是因為有信仰、精神和理念。
法鼓山無論如何都要堅持師父最初開創的精神，只要還有一個人能堅持，這個團體就有希望，就會存在。
──聖嚴法師
Dharma Drum Mountain was founded as a monastery to endure for a thousand years.
Its lasting presence is rooted in unwavering faith, spirit, and vision.
Dharma Drum Mountain must always uphold Master Sheng Yen’s founding spirit.
As long as even one person carries this spirit forward, the community will have hope—and it will endure.
— Master Sheng Yen
法鼓山的理念、三大教育、四種環保、漢傳禪佛教，是法鼓山的四大堅持，也是聖嚴法師行願的方向與著力點，2009年法師圓寂後，十六年來，四眾弟子傳承師願，匯集團體的力量，持續開山，一步步實現人間淨土的願景。
Dharma Drum Mountain’s vision, the Threefold Education, the Four Kinds of Environmentalism, and Chinese Chan Buddhism constitutes its Four Affirmations. These also embody the core direction and focus of Master Sheng Yen’s lifelong practice.
Since his passing in 2009, over the past 16 years, the Fourfold Assembly has carried on his aspirations. With the collective strength of the community, they have continued striving to realize a pure land on earth.
（１）推動三大教育
Promoting the Threefold Education
法鼓山是一個提倡全面教育的團體，自聖嚴法師創立法鼓山，即以「大學院、大普化、大關懷」三大教育，來推動人間淨土的建設，開山十六年期間，三大教育已奠下堅實的基礎。
法師圓寂後的十六年間，法鼓山僧團接續帶領四眾弟子，因應時代的改變、社會的需要、團體的發展，持續開展三大教育，引導社會大眾開發自心，開啟平安、幸福、快樂的人生。
Dharma Drum Mountain is a community dedicated to comprehensive education. Since its founding by Master Sheng Yen, it has promoted the vision of building a pure land on earth through the Threefold Education: Extensive Academic Education, Extensive Public Buddhist Education, and Extensive Social Care Education. Over the past 16 years, this threefold approach has laid a solid foundation.
In the 16 years since Master Sheng Yen’s passing, the Sangha has continued to lead the Fourfold Assembly in carrying forward the Threefold Education. In response to changing times, evolving societal needs, and the community’s ongoing development, they remain committed to helping people cultivate their minds and live peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling lives.
▎大學院教育
Extensive Academic Education
培育佛教人才的大學院教育，法鼓文理學院佛教學系設立學士班、碩士班、博士班，完整高等教育架構，人文社會學群的生命教育、社會企業與創新等契合當代需要的學程，廣獲肯定。
法鼓山僧伽大學創立二十五年，已培養「常、演、寬」等世代的僧眾，於海內外各地領眾奉獻。中華佛學研究所深耕漢傳佛教的研究與傳承，尤其著力培養青年學者。此外，聖嚴教育基金會也舉辦聖嚴思想、近現代漢傳佛教等研討會，增進各國佛教學者的交流。
The Department of Buddhist Studies at Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, forming a comprehensive framework for higher education. The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences has received widespread recognition for its contemporary-focused programs, including the Master's degrees in Life Education and Social Enterprise and Innovation.
Established 25 years ago, Dharma Drum Sangha University has nurtured generations of monastics who continue to dedicate themselves to Dharma work both in Taiwan and abroad. The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies is deeply committed to the research and transmission of Chinese Buddhism, with special emphasis on cultivating young scholars.
Additionally, the Sheng Yen Education Foundation organizes international academic conferences on contemporary Chinese Buddhism and the thought of Master Sheng Yen, fostering scholarly exchange among Buddhist researchers worldwide.
▎大普化教育
Extensive Public Buddhist Education
禪修是大普化教育的一大重心，法鼓山致力開發貼近現代人的禪修活動，如線上禪修、校園靜心數位語音引導等。亦完善規畫各類信眾教育課程，包括聖嚴書院佛學班、福田班、禪學班，以及快樂學佛人、法鼓長青班，還有線上的法鼓講堂，普受歡迎與好評。
傳承佛教文化使命，出版《聖嚴法師年譜》、《法鼓全集2020紀念版》等，每月發行《人生》雜誌，已邁入七十六年。此外，水陸法會雲端祈福的設置，亦為創新之舉。
Chan practice is a key focus of Dharma Drum Mountain’s Extensive Public Buddhist Education, which is dedicated to developing meditation activities suited for modern practitioners, such as online meditation sessions and digital audio guides. A wide range of well-received programs have also been designed, including the Sheng Yen Academy’s Buddhist Teachings Program, Merit Field Program, Chan Studies Program, Happy Buddhists Class, Evergreen Class, and the online Dharma Drum Lectures.
To carry forward Buddhist culture, Dharma Drum Mountain has published major works such as Master Sheng Yen's Chronicle and the 2020 Memorial Edition of the Complete Works of Master Sheng Yen, alongside the monthly Humanity Magazine, now in its 76th year. Additionally, the introduction of virtual blessing plaques for the Water and Land Dharma Service marks an innovative step in blending tradition with technology.
- 各地建設分支道場
The Establishment of Branch Monasteries
法鼓山落成開山後，各地的分支道場也逐步展開建設。臺灣北、中、南、東各地的分寺院， 2010年後陸續落成啟用，包括天南寺、雲集寺、農禪寺水月道場、齋明別苑、寶雲寺、蘭陽分院、雲來別苑、紫雲寺新建禪堂等。
亞洲地區則有馬來西亞新建道場，北美地區洛杉磯道場、舊金山道場，購置建物進行整建，紐約東初禪寺也正進行擴建工程。全球分支道場即是分布各地的教育弘化中心，讓法鼓山的理念在地推廣，開枝散葉。
Following the inauguration of Dharma Drum Mountain, branch monasteries were gradually established in various locations. Since 2010, monasteries in northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan have been completed and inaugurated one after another, including Tiannan Monastery, Yunji Monastery, Water-Moon Monastery, Zhaiming Monastery, Baoyun Monastery, Lanyang Branch Monastery, Yunlai Monastery, and the newly constructed Chan Hall of Ziyun Monastery.
In Asia, a new monastery has been built in Malaysia. In North America, both the Los Angeles Center and the San Francisco Bay Area Center are undergoing renovation, while the Chan Meditation Center in New York is expanding. These global branch monasteries serve as regional centers for education and Dharma propagation, fostering the growth and flourishing of Dharma Drum Mountain’s vision.
- 護法分會關懷地區
Dharma Chapters Serve Local Communities
開山期間，以護持法鼓山建設、落實法鼓山理念為目標的護法總會，在聖嚴法師勉勵下，護法信眾於各地社區成立共修處及辦事處。
2020年起，為因應現代弘化趨勢、地區發展所需，各地辦事處更名為分會，由原本著重內部共修的性質，擴增對外接引大眾、關懷弘化的功能，分會的硬體空間和設備，也逐步展開更新。位於社區第一線的各分會，近年來開辦講座、禪藝等課程及活動，接引社區民眾走進法鼓山成長自我，提昇生命。
During the founding period of Dharma Drum Mountain, the Dharma Drum Mountain Fellowship, established to support the construction of Dharma Drum Mountain and promote its ideals, began setting up practice centers and offices in local communities under the guidance of Master Sheng Yen.
Since 2020, in response to modern trends in Dharma propagation and the needs of regional development, these local offices have been renamed as chapters. Originally focused on internal practice, these chapters have since broadened their scope to engage with the public and share the Dharma. Their physical spaces and infrastructure were also progressively upgraded. In recent years, many chapters—positioned at the forefront of their communities—have organized lectures, Chan art courses, and various events to invite residents to engage with Dharma Drum Mountain, nurture personal growth, and enrich their lives.
▎大關懷教育
Extensive Social Care Education
大關懷教育照顧過去、現在、未來的生命，法鼓山慈善基金會投入海內外急難救助、提供獎助學金、歲末關懷，實質支援之外，並融入心靈的教育、關懷與陪伴。
關懷院和助念團推廣三十多年的大事關懷，從助念、追思祝福到植存，生死皆安，實踐禮儀環保，已成為圓滿生命、生死教育的典範。
法鼓山人文社會基金會持續頒發「法鼓山關懷生命獎」，鼓舞社會的光明力量。而法鼓山社會大學於各地社區開辦課程，以教育關懷居民，深獲當地回響。
Extensive social care education at Dharma Drum Mountain addresses the needs of life—past, present, and future. The Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation engages in both domestic and international emergency relief, offers scholarships, and organizes year-end care events. Beyond providing practical support, the foundation also integrates spiritual education, loving care, and companionship.
For over 30 years, the Social Care Department and End-of-Life Caring Group have been promoting end-of-life education. From chanting aids and memorial ceremonies to ash burials, these efforts embody the principle of Protecting the Social Environment, setting a benchmark in life-and-death education.
The Dharma Drum Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation continues to honor outstanding contributions through the Dharma Drum Mountain Caring for Life Award, recognizing and encouraging positive forces in society. Meanwhile, the Community College Service Center offers diverse courses in local neighborhoods, using education as a means of caring for residents—an initiative that has received enthusiastic support from local community.
（２）推展國際弘化
Propagating the Dharma Globally
將漢傳禪佛教推廣至全世界，為全球和平盡心力，是聖嚴法師畢生的心願。法師的法子、僧眾弟子接續弘揚漢傳禪法的腳步，足跡從歐美地區，延伸至東南亞地區。
2014年，美國法鼓山佛教協會（DDMBA）正式成為聯合國NGO組織，更積極參與國際會議及活動，包括《聯合國氣候變化框架公約》締約方會議（Conference of the Parties, COP）、全球青年領袖會議等，與世界各國人士分享「心靈環保」的理念，以及漢傳佛教的智慧。
It was Master Sheng Yen’s lifelong aspiration to spread Chinese Chan Buddhism throughout the world and contribute to global peace. His disciples have carried on this mission, extending the reach of Chan Buddhism from Europe and the United States to Southeast Asia.
In 2014, the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association officially became a United Nations-accredited NGO. Since then, it has actively participated in international conferences and events, including the Conference of the Parties (COP) and the Global Young Leaders Conference, among others—sharing the vision of Protecting the Spiritual Environment and the wisdom of Chinese Buddhism with people around the world.
