Search Buddhist Channel

Thousands pay homage to Dharma Master

The China Post, Feb 5, 2009

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Thousands of people flocked to the headquarters of the Dharma Drum Mountain Foundation yesterday to pay homage to Dharma Master Sheng Yen who passed away Tuesday at the age of 80.

Tens of thousands of people from all around Taiwan and abroad form long lines to pay homage to Dharma Master Sheng Yen, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 80. Chinese characters in the background show some of the Master's teachings that have helped countless people overcome adversity in daily life. (CNA )

President Ma Ying-jeou took the lead by personally traveling to Dharma Drum Mountain in Jinshan, Taipei County to pay his respects Tuesday night.

Ma expressed thanks to Master Sheng Yen for his positive influence on Taiwan society.

Vice President Vincent Siew and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan were among other senor officials who paid homage yesterday morning.

Siew stood by the side of the casket of Sheng Yen for almost 10 minutes to reflect on the masters' teachings.

The vice president said he met the master for the last time on Jan. 9, when he paid him a visit after being admitted to National Taiwan University Hospital Jan. 5.

Siew said he admired Sheng Yen's strong will and his deep concern for Taiwan society, and enhancing the quality of character despite feeble physical conditions.

He urged people in Taiwan to help fulfill one of Master Sheng Yen's major wishes — establishing a university named after the Dharma Drum.

Premier Liu said Master Sheng Yen's teachings for universal well-being have transcended ethnic and national boundaries. This is why he was able to attract tens of thousands of students and followers worldwide, Liu said.

Former Vice President Annette Lu, incumbent Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, and Taiwan Solidarity Union Chairman Huang Kun-hui were also among political figures to pay their respects.

Business and industry leaders joined with people of all ages and backgrounds to pay homage, including chairman Terry Guo of the Hon Hai Group, and chairman Winston Wang of the Grace International Group.

Other celebrities flew to Taiwan for the occasion, including well-known actor Jet Li and actress Lin Ching-hsia.

They thanked Master Sheng Yen for giving them spiritual guidance during times of adversity in their careers.

People on the other side of the Taiwan Strait also expressed condolences. Wang Yi, director of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, and officials of China's Religion Bureau as well as Buddhist leaders also sent formal messages of support and condolence.

Wang expressed hope the Dharma Drum Mountain Foundation would continue successfully promoting cross-strait religious interchanges.

Sheng Yen, who was born in China, led Taiwan delegations for six exchange visits to China in recent years.

Also, Wang thanked Master Sheng Yen and his students for their active assistance to victims of the devastating earthquake in May last year.

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.

For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team

Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP