Dongchu

Dongchu (, 1907–1977) was a Chinese Ch'an Master in Mainland China and later in Taiwan, and also the teacher of respected modern-day Ch'an Master Sheng-yen.

He also became the first permanent council member in the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China in 1947.

But it did not last long as within the next couple of years, the Communist Party drove Nationalists out of the Mainland China, and many religious leaders, in fear of the Communists' persecution, fled overseas – including Ven.

Dongchu, who fled to Taiwan at 1949.

He took temporary shelter at Beitou, near Taipei, at the Fazang Monastery.

Three months later, his passion for Buddhist education and culture led him to start the Humanity Magazine – the first Buddhist periodical in Taiwan.

Its mission is to "purify the minds of the people and establish Life Buddhism."

By the early 1950s, it had grown very popular and its circulation reached Southeast Asia and East Asia, and the United States.

Ven.

He is the 51st generation of Zen patriarch from the Caodong School (See Lineage Chart).

He also established several monasteries and organizations in Taiwan that continue to exist and expand to this very day, including Chung-hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture and Nung Chan Monastery.

He was born in Jiangsu province, China.

At his early education period, he studied with various prominent monks such as Master and Master Nanting from the Zhulin Buddhist Institute in Zhenjiang.

He then pursues his study further at Minnan Buddhist Institute in Xiamen, and studied under renowned scholar-monk and modernist Master Taixu.

His peers in the institute include Master Yinshun, Zhumo, and Cihang (Tzuhang) – all of whom also became influential monks.

After graduating from Minnan Buddhist Institute, Ven.

Dongchu then became dean of the prestigious school Jiaoshan Buddhist Institute.

At the same time, he was abbot of the Dinghui Monastery in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province.

Dinghui Monastery (Monastery of Samadhi and Wisdom) was a very famous Ch'an monastery in China, it stands on an island in the Yangtze River, on a hill called Floating Jade Mountain.

It was first built around 194-195 CE and changed names several times before finally became Dinghui Monastery during Qing Dynasty.

He also taught classes at several other Buddhist institutes, including Jingan Si (Quiet Calm) Academy in Shanghai – at which young Sheng-yen, who was studying there, first encountered him.

Ven.

Dongchu had a reputation as a progressive thinker who, unlike most monks at his time, would not hesitate to criticize others.

He was also known as a fierce teacher and his students gave him the nickname the 'Big Gun'.

His paradigm was much influence by his teacher, Taixu.

Dongchu established his first monastery in Taiwan at 1955.

It was located in Beitou, near Taipei, and was completed a year later.

Instead of naming it a 'monastery', he named it Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Culture to establish a foundation for cultural work.

In 1956, he started a charity program called 'Winter Relief Drive' to collect donations to buy rice, oil, and winter clothing for poor families and orphanages in Beitou, Tamsui, Sanchong, Yilan, Taoyuan, and Xinzhuang.

Therefore, they could celebrate Chinese New Year with warmth and meal.

Ven.

Sheng-yen, who had been an active writer in the Humanity Magazine under his pen-name Xing Shi Jiang Jun ("World Awakening General"), became Ven.

Dongchu's disciple in 1959.

Ven.

Sheng-yen was a soldier in the intelligence unit at that time, he joined the Army unwillingly in order to escape from Mainland China.

Despite his position in the intelligence, Ven.

Sheng-yen's request to be dismissed from his post was accepted by his superior with Ven.

Dongchu's help.

Aside from his intellectual and charity activities, Ven.

Dongchu didn't spend much time leading Buddhist ceremonies or rituals.