Grand Master Weichueh, the founding abbot of Chung Tai, was born in Yingshan County, Sichuan Province, China. From an early age, he was deeply aware of life’s impermanence. Although he was educated in the Confucian classics, he felt worldly knowledge did not reveal the meaning of life and death. Seeking answers, he delved deeply into Buddhadharma.
In 1963, the Grand Master was ordained under the Venerable Master Lingyuan at the Shifang Dajue (Great Enlightenment) Chan Monastery in Keelung, Taiwan. As an acolyte monk, he rose before dawn every day to clean the buddha hall and monastery courtyard. While others would rest after lunch, he stayed in the hall to make prostrations. In all his duties and interactions, he was devoted, considerate, and diligent.
To deepen his cultivation, the Grand Master left Shifang Dajue Monastery to practice in seclusion for over a decade. He studied at monasteries in Yilan, Hsing Zhu, and Hong Kong before moving to a retreat hut in the mountains of Wanli near Taipei. There, he gave up material comforts for long days of hard practice.
In 1985-1986, an industrial road was built that passed by the Grand Master’s hut. As the area became accessible, more people discovered the presence of a genuine Buddhist master and came seeking his wisdom. At the behest of his followers, the Grand Master emerged from solitary practice to teach the Dharma.
In 1987, the Grand Master built Lingquan Monastery on the land his retreat hut once stood. At Lingquan, he ordained his first monastic disciples, regularly held Chan-7 retreats, and taught a growing number of lay students. The Grand Master’s efforts reinvigorated Chan traditions and gave their practice new life in Taiwan. Before long, the Lingquan Monastery could no longer accommodate the number of disciples who came to learn the Dharma.
To serve the ever-growing assembly of monastic and lay practitioners, the Grand Master began planning the construction of a larger monastery in Puli, Nantou County. After three years of planning and seven years of construction, the Chung Tai Chan Monastery was inaugurated in 2001.
For the rest of his life, the Grand Master continued the Buddha’s work of enlightening all sentient beings. He established Chan meditation centers in Taiwan and overseas. He frequently lectured at universities and other secular organizations. He held large-scale Dharma ceremonies, gave hundreds of Dharma talks, and presided over ten sessions of Chan-7 retreats every year. He taught disciples the way to lasting joy and worked tirelessly to create a peaceful world by helping all people realize their pure mind and intrinsic nature.
The Grand Master emphasized education as a crucial part of Buddhist practice. He established the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute for monks and nuns, dedicated to training knowledgeable and qualified teachers of Buddhadharma. He also founded the Pu Tai Schools (K-12) to foster the values of respect, compassion, and moral integrity through children’s education. One of the Grand Master’s last accomplishments was the Chung Tai World Museum, a world-class platform for the public to interact with Buddhist art and culture.
From Lingquan to Chung Tai, Grand Master Weichueh gave his vision, inspiration, and guidance to hundreds of thousands of followers, monks, nuns, and lay people alike. His example has planted the seeds of enlightenment in our hearts and continues to guide the world towards serenity and wisdom. The Grand Master passed away and entered nirvana on April 8th, 2016.
