His mild expression and spare figure reflect an untroubled character.
His amusing and cordial talks make audiences feel wholly accepted and understood.
His unconventional insights bring clarity, like a ray of light penetrating the darkness.
Those who go to him seeking mystical experiences will be disappointed. But those who observe him closely will glimpse the unhindered and unbounded wisdom of this Venerable Patriarch.
In these tumultuous times of ours, Patriarch Sheng Yen, taking the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) of myriad manifestations as his model, has been seizing every chance to lead people to inner liberation, guiding them through life’s turning points and towards a meaningful life of transcendence and altruism.
Among his many international activities leading Patriarch/Matriarch Chan (Zen) Retreats in the West, Chan Patriarch Venerable Sheng Yen has engaged in an unprecedented dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1998, participated in a world religion dialogue in Rome in 1997 at the invitation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, and had a privileged dialogue with Chan Master Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh during the latter’s visit to Taiwan in 1995. Furthermore, in 2002, Chan Patriarch Sheng Yen became one of nine co-chairs of the World Council of the World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations.
Our Patriarch Venerable Sheng Yen, has described about his great vow of benefiting sentient beings, which is the best reference for all Chan practitioners:
Even if empty space is limited, my great vows are boundless. What I have not accomplished in this life, I vow to continue to carry out in countless future lives. What I myself have not accomplished personally, I beg everybody to collaborate to fulfill together. Chan Patriarch Sheng Yen
