Preparatory Office: No.77, Yanping S. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan 886-2-2191-1011 www.ddc.edu.tw

"Dharma Drum University is a shining light source. It shines under everyone's aspiration, and practices the wisdom of the "spiritual environment protection". It will be a different university, one which will become the foundation of social peace, stability, and harmony."

Master Shengyan

The Tai-gao-(4) No. 10000156620 letter of the Ministry of Education states:

The establishment of the following degree programs is hereby approved after Dharma Drum College filing legal registration:

Master in Social Enterprise and Innovation, Master in Environment and Development, Master in Community Regeneration, and Master in Life Education.

The enrollment quota for each degree program is set at twenty.

DHARMA DRUM COLLEGE NEWSLETTER NO.2/OCT. 2011

The Ministry of Education has approved the four study programs proposed by Dharma Drum College

Our Campus

Administration Complex Chan Yue College Gymnasium

Preparatory Office: No.77, Yanping S. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan 886-2-2191-1011 www.ddc.edu.tw

DHARMA DRUM COLLEGE NEWSLETTER NO.2/Oct. 2011

Liu, An-Chi, DirectorDharma Drum University (DDU) has the longest preparatory period in the history of the Ministry of Education. This could imply that DDU is like a plum blossom, and the colder it gets the more beautiful it blooms. This also signifies DDU's mission for life time education. It is a university based on the spirit of ideals, beliefs and willingness in order to face the changing times.

A Social Consciousness and ModelMaster Shengyan established DDU with a transcendent vision. He knew that the people needed today are those with morality, leadership, and communication and coordination skills. We not only need to establish a cultivation system for professional skills, but also an environment that allows all-inclusive thinking, in-depth life searching, interdisciplinary multi-dimensional planning, and moral character fostering. All these areas are the main focus of DDU. Through curriculum planning and the establishment of the residential college system, we can cultivate leaders who possess both compassion and wisdom. In today’s world of information, globalization, and internationalization, establishing a well-rounded and in-depth education institution will enable us to nurture the professionals that are urgently needed by all fields.

Bond with the Earth and Interaction with the EnvironmentMaster Shengyan designated 25 hectares of land next to the Dharma Drum Mountain to become our campus. We have taken this tranquil land with both mountain and ocean views and integrated it into our lives. We have built a green university that is bonded with the earth and interacts with the environment. Based on the Master's spirit, we will establish our

tradition through the school spirit, build our foundation with Chan studies, set our direction following the Master's vision, and develop the university’s future through international exchange.DDU focuses its priorities on master’s students and therefore we will soon have our graduates. As an influential university, we not only need to foster graduates who can contribute to the world, but who can also represent the University’s spirit, and can become the voice of the Dharma Drum ideals.

The Four Areas Forming the Dharma Drum IdeasWe appreciate the assistance of over one hundred professionals and scholars in the planning of DDU's academic system during the preparatory period. We have established four schools, each of them with a different focus. The School of Life and Values is based on the searching, understanding and experience of life. The School of Philanthropy is the study of innovations that could benefit all lives and the world. The School of Environmental Studies is emphasizing the interaction with the

earth, and the increasing integration of life, the environment, and business development. The School of Arts and Culture is based on the core value of arts and culture, and how digital technology can be applied to master the management of arts and cultural creations. In this multi-dimensional era, we hope that the students of DDU will possess interdisciplinary specialties as well as practices driven from a common

principle. With our planning and practice of an interdisciplinary curriculum, we will be able to achieve the ideals of DDU. The Master's teachings have enlightened DDU, so we are able to have a firm and clearly defined start. Whether it’s now or in the future, DDU will act according to Dharma Drum Mountain and all its followers' beliefs. Without everyone's devotion, DDU cannot succeed. DDU will always stand united with everyone and remain a supporter of our fellow disciples as our goal is to nurture students into the compassionate and wise leaders that the society needs so much.Master Shengyan dedicates Dharma Drum University to become a shining light source. It shines under everyone's vow, and practices the "spiritual environment protection" spirit. It will be a different university, one which will become the foundation of social peace, stability, and harmony. All our students will contribute to the world, wherever they’re needed, and they together will create a true Pureland on Earth.

A Shining Light Source

Preparatory Office: No.77, Yanping S. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan 886-2-2191-1011 www.ddc.edu.tw

DHARMA DRUM COLLEGE NEWSLETTER NO.2/Oct. 2011

Four study programs

Master in Life EducationThe scheme of this program covers the inner mental and moral culture of life, to experience establishing the pattern of education. It neither simply provides, as far as knowledge is concerned, the course contents of philosophy, psychology, and culture, nor only offers discussion and development on the basis of teaching plans and compiling teaching materials. Therefore, for those who are dedicated in life education, concerned about life’s growth, meaning, value, and life and death, no matter what subjects are taught, whether the education received at workplace is regular or not, and if they are enterprises and social organizations as well as corporate bodies, all of them can obtain sufficient nutrition and trainings in here through the overall life’s mental reserve and learning.The various programs are designed to accomplish the following essential goals:

1.To develop insights from introspection and life observation.

2.To develop holistic skills to secure a sense of wellbeing in self and others.

3.To develop comprehensive knowledge of cross-cultural and multicultural patterns of life.

4.To develop skills that broaden and integrate different aspects of life as an ongoing process of education.

Master in Community RegenerationThe focal point of this program is the community and social groups. The program aims at systematically integrating the key knowledge of local cultural development and at ascertaining the foundation of the theory and the practice that helps build community

social groups. At the same time, the focus will also be on local cultural formation and community services, the interactive relationship of participation, the establishment of local space environmental design, cultural resources development, and the cultural industry expansion’s development and methodology. The ideal of responding to current social needs and letting local culture take roots may be realized by nurturing the core competences of qualified people who will need to be equipped with:

1.The capacity to design the cultural and creative industry.

2.The ability to manage social groups to take part in the public domain.

3.The ability to plan community space environments.

4.The capacity to integrate cultural resources and information.

Master in Social Enterprise and InnovationSocial Enterprise and Innovation provides students with skills for creating and managing social enterprises. It offers students the chance to get “hands-on” experiences in the real world entrepreneurial projects. The focus of training is on marketing, management, and entrepreneurship skills. In addition, it encourages students to become familiar with the trends, challenges, and opportunities in participating in projects of information & communication technologies for development.We identify three core aspects for student competence:

1.Attitudes and Approaches: We value social benefits and their realization;

2.Entrepreneurial and Managerial Abilities: We equip students with capabilities in creating and managing social enterprises;

3.Understanding Global Context: We foster a deeper understanding of local issues and actions in the context of globalization.

Master in Environment and DevelopmentBased on the protecting the spiritual environment, which is the characteristic of the Dharma Drum University, paying attention to humanities/social care and training the environmental policymaker are the aims for this program. The course design includes environmental issue analysis, environmental management, environmental decision-making, environmental risk, public participation and environmental lobby etc. Students can display well ability to work in government, enterprise or NGO after completing the program and beginning to serve for the society in the future. From the beginning of protecting the spiritual environment and protecting the living environment, devote our knowledge and practice to the environment and then influence the development of the society. The core abilities of programs are as follows：

1.The abilities of observing and analyzing environmental migration / changes.

2.The abilities of integrating and applying environmental science theories.

3.The interdisciplinary and international view of the environmental economy.

4.The analyzing abilities of environmental issues and management strategies

Preparatory Office: No.77, Yanping S. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan 886-2-2191-1011 www.ddc.edu.tw

Meet the DeanWe have invited the Dean of the School of Environmental Studies, Professor Yu Yue-Hwa, to share his reason for joining DDU, as well as the planning and future development of the school.

- Prof. Chu Wen-Sen, "Sea Water Desalinization", organized by CTCI Foundation "The Successful Case Studies on New Water Source Development and Promotion Seminar" (7/21).

- Prof. Yang Pei at Yunlai Temple, covering one of the topics of the four-safety speech series, "Safe Home - Where Is Our Home in Our Life" (7/26).

- Dr. Chen Ping-Kun," The Spiritual Environment Protection by Dharma Drum Mountain and the Chinese Zen Spirit", held by Chinese University of

Hong Kong Buddhism on Earth Research Centre, "2011 The Sixth Youth Buddhist Scholars Academic Seminar", Topic: The Ecological Environmental Protection and Spiritual Environment Protection" (2011/7/27-7/29).

- Prof. Gu Chung-Yu's book, "Learning About Life and Death from Life and Death", has been selected as the 2011 Healthy Reading Good Book of the Year for the elderly.

Professor Yu Yue-HwaProfessor Yu Yue-Hwa of the School of Environmental Studies has been an environmental engineering educator and researcher in Taiwan for more than 36 years. He recently received the Research Excellence Award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE). His major research and teaching interests involve Ozonation in Water & Wastewater as well as Environmental Planning & Management.

Today, nearly everyone in Taiwan knows the term "Spiritual Environment Protection" which was created by Master Shengyan, the founder of the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhism System.When I first heard and saw the term, it was like the first time seeing terms like "Sustainable Development". They are simple words but imply the essence of our duties in protecting the environment. "Spiritual Environment Protection" is showing the way, and "Sustainable

Development" is us, the modern people, finally engaging in self-examination and hoping that we will be able to create a bright future. In 1998, we, as a group of IT and humanity scholars, were trying to publish the first book on a general view of environmental protection in Taiwan. As the editor of the book, I asked the Master to write the preface for this collective publication. Today, "Environment and Man" is heading towards its second edition. I’d like to point out that in the new edition, some chapters have been deleted and others added, and some changes have been made to the framework. However, the preface written by the Master 12 years ago has not been changed, not even a word. It is because the Master's thinking on "Spiritual Environment Protection" is still so relevant even after all these years. It has become the iron law for our sustainable development in the future. If people are unable to reach enlightenment, we will not be able to have a better sustainable future.

While I was working on the re-editing, I also joined the preparatory team of DDU at the beginning of the year. I was very impressed by the leader of the team, Dr. Liu An-Chi, who was very devoted to the environmental protection issues in the university. I believe the development of the university will be lasting, and the research, teaching, and the social services will gradually advance in the long term. Under the spirit of Master Shengyan's Spiritual Environment Protection, we are able to put an explanatory note for the future. My hope for the School of Environmental Studies is that all the students and teachers will take the school motto of “compassion, wisdom, harmony, and respect,” as their personal goal of self-cultivation. Only someone with a compassionate heart, searching for the wisdom to find the right path, with the ability of forming a harmonious team, and someone who is respectful to oneself, can be fully prepared for future development.

DHARMA DRUM COLLEGE NEWSLETTER NO.2/Oct. 2011

Academic Gallery

Preparatory Office: No.77, Yanping S. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan 886-2-2191-1011 www.ddc.edu.tw

Disaster Emergency and Reflection ForumDharma Drum College Jinshan Project (6/1)

Dharma Drum University launched the "Jinshan project plan” in 2010 - a project which combines the expertise of our four colleges to carry out in practice a project that could further develop the value of the Jinshan area. Since the earthquake of Japan in March 2011, the Jinshan project focused on environmental maintenance and disaster response as its primary work in order to strengthen the ability of evaluation and management towards disasters. The Degui Academy held a "Forum on Disaster Response and Reflections" on June 1, 2011, bringing together Masters of the relevant units of Dharma Drum Mountain and its directors participating together in discussion.

The forum was held by the School of Environmental Studies and the School of Arts and Culture who archived the disaster response information, and invited their colleagues of the Dharma Drum Mountain Foundation charity and the Dharma Drum Mountain crisis response team.

Spiritual and Physical Experience under ChanFollowing Master ChiCheng(6/5)

Since 2009, Master ChiCheng has begun a long meditation exchange with Dharma Drum College. Every time he comes to Taiwan, he is invited to give a speech about Chan or about guided meditation in person. Master ChiCheng came to Degui academy again on 5 June, 2011. He gave a speech on “Spiritual and Physical Experience under Chan” for nearly 400 people, describing the thought of Chan as well as its relationship with meditation.Master ChiCheng's speech is like a spiritual map for the public, since it shows us clearly the target practice, and identifies the various things we encounter in the meantime, but just in a different way. He also reminded us that we should not be he confused by the colorful and diverse scenery next to the road, or linger too long on the arguments in the

language when we’re headed for a certain destination, lest we forget the purpose of this trip.

NGO’s on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in 2011Practices and Talent Development Forum (6/12)

The Dharma Drum College preparatory office held a “Spiritual environment and humane care” seminar with Peking University, Nanjing University and Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou respectively in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Both sides established the basis of scholar exchange and cooperation needed for cultural and welfare care.As the previous results, we further expand and promote cross-strait exchanges with youth leaders of public knowledge sharing which jointly organized "NGO of cross-strait practices and talent development " forum with political-cum-civil society, local governance in the College Center, goodness and Social Welfare Foundation, Third Sector Public Education Foundation and CEO Association of Taiwan, public interest organizations on both sides to enhance the professional knowledge and service with deep dialogue. And

we made a brainstorming for the Greater China region public affairs organization's prospects and cooperation creating new opportunities.

The Philosopher CaféPerfection and Defects (6/18); Deprivation and Fulfillment (7/30)

Ever since its first dialogues and reviews focused workshop held in July 2010, the Philosopher Café has so far organized ten workshops with in depth exchanges in different topics.This activity stresses and reminds us that we should not resort to habitual thinking or standard reactions when we have to deal with life's issues. You can try to view the usual patterns and values, break their inherent limitations, and then make a choice. Participants are invited to challenge themselves and open up to accept every possible attitude in order be able to enter into a dialogue with the numerous topics of life that need urgent contemplation.The theme of June was “Discovering Perfection in Defects,” and Dr. Ku Chung-yu linked

it with philosophical propositions, leading the participants to think about both their definitions and connections. In July’s workshop, “Deprivation and Fulfillment,” the participants were guided to evaluate self-desire and motives through the concept of ethical hedonism and the necessary conditions of fulfillment.

Activities NO.2/Oct. 2011

Preparatory Office: No.77, Yanping S. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan 886-2-2191-1011 www.ddc.edu.tw

Introduction to Chan Culture LectureChan Thoughts in Chan Poems (7/16)

In order to promote Chinese culture and the research and practice of Chan Buddhism, the Chan Practice Center of DDU introduced the monthly" Introduction to Chan Culture Lecture" to show Chan and its intersection with life in different topics and then to explore these in depth.For the first lecture, "Dharma Meditation Triggered Pulse Concept", was given by Cai Yaoming, Professor of Philosophy at National Taiwan University; After that, Dr. Chen Pingkun covered topics about the road to peace of mind, life and death care and so on.With the topic of this month “Chan thoughts in Chan poetry,” Dr. Chen explored Chan ideas through Chan poetry, and further, by these ideas, he introduced the thoughts of Chinese Chan.

Carbon reduction measures in the transport sector and future challenges (7/20)On July 20 the DDU Preparatory Office invited Dr. Hu Yiqin to hold a lecture themed “Carbon Reduction Measures in the Transport Sector and the Challenges of the Future". Dr. Hu holds a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering of the University of Maryland, and was a general advisor for the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation for many years. Dr. Hu’s abundant practical experience with traffic engineering consultant expertise was often sought for by the relevant departments and industries.Dr. Hu pointed out with sincere words and earnest wishes that promoting a low carbon and a green recycling society still starts from the "heart.” She therefore appealed to people to change their habits and thoughts, so that we can return to the concept of ” spiritual protection" and put into practice the concept of “uplifting the character of

humanity and, constructing a pure land on earth” which is a complete solution.

Sharing News Writing and Photography Experiences (7/23)To promote and deepen the concepts of DDU, the Preparatory Office organizes a variety of lectures and activities and uses comprehensive and abundant information for the public to understand the meaning and content of activities, which particularly may appeal to some new volunteers.In order to provide relative experience to the volunteers, on the afternoon of July 23 , we held a volunteer training course of “Sharing News Writing and Photography Experiences" The sharing program invited Mr. Zhang Yaozhong of Dharma Drum Mountain to conduct the workshop. He used professional and practical content, shared his years of experience, and provided simulated cases and a complete workflow model so that participants were not only deeply impressed but also learned about how to write press releases related to practice.

Taiwan Brings Blessings to Japanese Students-Life Education through Spiritual Companionship and Care (7/28)

On invitation of Chiayi County Council, the School of Life and Values participated in the “Taiwan Brings Blessings to Japanese Students” event, a summer holiday activity for school children from the tsunami stricken area in Japan. With “Spiritual Companionship and Care for Life” as its theme, the event served as a life education course for 36 students from the Komoto Middle School in Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture.The course guided and designed by Prof. Yang Pei and carried out by the DDU’s playback theater, took place on the afternoon of July 28 at Chiayi County Council Library. Aiming to provide the students with companionship and care, the course combined interactive games, singing, event descriptions, creative projects, and physical activities that transcended language barriers, which helped the students to explore and

release their post-disaster emotions, as well as develop renewed inner strength and self-confidence.The Preparatory Office also invited Mr. Satoru Hashiba, Deputy Mayor of Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, shared his experience about the Tohoku earthquake which occurred on March 11, 2011. The sharing session took place in the Dharma Drum Degui Academy in the morning of July 29 and covered issues such as preparation and response before, during and after disasters.

Activities NO.2/Oct. 2011