Inheritance
Venerable Shi Ji Cheng
- Born in 1955 in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, with the lay name Zhou Ming Tian.
- In 1978, he became a monk under Venerable Zhu Mo at the Triple Wisdom Hall, receiving the monastic name "Ji Cheng" and the title "Wen Jin." That same year, he traveled to Taiwan to receive full ordination, with Venerable Yin Shun, Venerable Yan Pei, and Venerable Zhen Hua as his preceptors. He also pursued advanced studies in Buddhism at the Chinese Buddhist Research Institute.
- In 1980, he began teaching at the Dong Fang Buddhist College of Fo Guang Shan.
- From 1982 to 1984, he undertook a 1,000-day retreat at the Triple Wisdom Hall in Penang.
- In 1985, he traveled to Taiwan to receive the Lin Ji lineage from Venerable Master Sheng Yen of Dharma Drum Mountain, who transmitted the teachings of the elder Venerable Xu Yun. He became the 58th-generation heir of the Lin Ji school and a fifth-generation disciple of Venerable Xu Yun, with the Dharma name "Chuan Xian Jian Mi."
- Since 1985, he has founded and led numerous Buddhist study and intensive practice courses. He is frequently invited to teach and lead meditation retreats in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Europe, and the Americas.
- In 2018, he was appointed as the Chief Monk of Wu Zu Temple in Hubei Province, China.
- He has served as President of the Young Buddhist Association Malaysia and Vice President of the Malaysian Buddhist Association.
- Currently, he holds the positions of President of the Malaysian Buddhist Institute, Abbot of Pu Zhao Temple, Religious Advisor to the Young Buddhist Association Malaysia, and Consultant to the Chan Lamp Culture and Arts Association.
- He has authored over 70 works, including essays, academic papers, lecture notes, and poetry collections.
- For over 30 years, he has composed approximately 200 Buddhist song lyrics, collaborating with composers Zhou Jinliang and Zhang Weiqian to produce Buddhist music albums.
- He has also created countless calligraphy and painting works, donating them to Buddhist temples, Chinese associations, and cultural organizations both domestically and internationally.
- Known as the "Tea Monk," he promotes tea and Zen culture, and as the "Stone Monk," he inscribes Dharma sayings and creates artworks on purple clay teaware and porcelain for charity sales.
- In 2018, he held the "Subtle Truths of Green Bamboo" calligraphy and painting exhibition at Niu Shou Mountain in Nanjing, China, becoming the first Buddhist artist invited to exhibit at the Buddha's Peak Palace.
- On April 8, 2022, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Religious Studies by Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, recognizing his contributions to contemporary Chinese Buddhism.
- On January 14, 2025, he was appointed as the Chief Monk of Hong Shan Temple in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Venerable Shi Ji Chi
- Born in Muar, Johor, Malaysia.
- Began learning Buddhism and practicing the Dharma at the age of seven.
- Graduated from the National University of Malaysia in 1993.
- Ordained as a Buddhist monk under Venerable Zhu Mo at San Hui Lecture Hall in Penang in 1996.
- Graduated from the Malaysian Buddhist Institute in 1998.
- Received full ordination under Venerable Jing Xin at Guang De Temple in Taiwan in 1999.
- Served as a keynote speaker at National Buddhist Youth Camps for university students from 1998 to 2004, as well as in 2009, 2014, and 2019.
- Has been lecturing at the National Buddhist Studies Workshop for university students since 2002.
- Currently serves as the religious advisor for the Muar Buddhist Association, the Buddhist Society of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the National University Buddhist Fellowship, the National University Alumni Buddhist Friends Association, and the Singapore Hui Deng Meditation Retreat.
- Appointed by Venerable Ji Cheng as an instructor for the Hui Deng Meditation Group, and on August 18, 2022, was formally recognized by Venerable Ji Cheng as a Dharma heir for Chan teaching.
- Author of e-books in both Chinese and English, including "A Journey Thus Far" 《一路走來》、"The Pure Stream of the Dharma Realm"《法界清流》、"Walking in the Human Realm"《走在人間》、"The Origin and Development of Buddhism"《佛教的起源與開展》、"The Source and Flow of Dharma"《法源法流》、"A Flowing Stream"《活水清流》、"Chan Purification Practice"《禪修淨行品》及 "Chan Everywhere"《禪心處處》中英文版之電子書 。
- Regularly conducts online and in-person meditation retreats and Buddhist courses for university Buddhist societies and organizations.
Venerable Shi Chang Hu
- Born in Taiwan in 1978.
- Took refuge under Venerable Master Sheng Kai in 1988.
- Participated in the Buddha Recitation Retreat at Fengshan Buddhist Lotus Society in 1990. Studied Electrical Engineering during university.
- Ordained by Venerable Master Sheng Yen in September 2004 and enrolled in the Department of Buddhist Studies at Dharma Drum Sangha University.
- Transferred to the Department of Chan Studies in 2006 and received full ordination as a bhikkhu in December of the same year.
- From 2008 onwards, studied and supported Chan practice under Venerable Chan Master Ji Cheng and Venerable Guo Yuan in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries.
- Graduated from the first class of the Department of Chan Studies at Dharma Drum Mountain in 2010. Subsequently assumed the role of Head of the Chan Hall (now known as the Abbot of the Chan Hall), planning various Chan retreats and overseeing the training of Chan instructors at Dharma Drum Sangha University.
- In August 2015, was assigned to Dharma Drum Retreat Center in upstate New York, USA, serving as the Abbot.
- Returned to Dharma Drum Mountain Headquarters in July 2020 as a Lecturer, teaching Chan courses at Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts and Dharma Drum Sangha University.
- From July 2021, served as the Sangha's Wei Na (Discipline Master), training for ceremonies and activities at the headquarters and branch monasteries.
- On August 18, 2022, received Dharma transmission from Venerable Chan Master Ji Cheng as a Dharma heir in Chan teaching.
- In September 2023, became an instructor for the Hui Deng Meditation Group, leading Chan retreats under the guidance of Venerable Ji Cheng and continuing to teach meditation to this day.
- Currently serves as a researcher at the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies, focusing on compiling and utilizing the meditation materials of Venerable Master Sheng Yen and Venerable Ji Cheng. Also has a deep interest in incense art, tea Chan, and Buddhist art.