Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts Signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Minobusan University of Japan

From March 24 to 26, President Kaie Mochizuki and Professor Kim Byung-gon from Minobusan University in Japan made a special visit to Taiwan to learn about the educational system of Dharma Drum Mountain. They were warmly welcomed by President Chen Ding-ming (陳定銘) of the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, along with faculty, staff, and students. On the morning of the 25th at 10:30 a.m., the two institutions formally signed a memorandum of understanding. Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain, also attended to offer his blessings, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

The memorandum of understanding includes provisions such as mutual access to facilities and academic resources, promoting exchanges between professors and researchers, advancing collaborative research projects, facilitating lectures, talks, and academic conferences, and exchanging publications. Vice President Venerable Guo Jing (果鏡法師) of the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, along with faculty representatives Professors Zhan Chang (詹場), Deng Wei-ren (鄧偉仁), Tseng Yao-min (曾堯民), and Matthew Orsborn, also participated in a tea reception prior to the signing ceremony.

President Chen introduced the institute under the theme "A Different Kind of University," highlighting its unique teaching approach and the concept of spiritual environmentalism. He described the campus as a "laboratory of dreams," which has attracted global academic attention and thus fostered international collaboration. He also shared reflections such as "every step reveals a scene, each a reminder of practice" and "tranquil yet not empty, simple yet full of strength," illustrating the deeply valued educational environment.
President Mochizuki expressed strong interest in President Chen's mention of incorporating AI into Buddhist studies models. He noted that he had previously attended an international Buddhist conference at the institute more than a decade ago and had been deeply impressed by Dharma Drum Mountain as a global center for Buddhist research. He humbly stated that Minobusan University is delighted to collaborate with the institute, and looks forward to jointly publishing research achievements to further the development of Buddhism.

Venerable Guo Huei, who shares the same academic background with the visiting guests and interpreter from Rissho University in Japan, also spoke of his positive impressions of the Minobusan monastic community. He praised the university as an excellent place for studying Nichiren Buddhism, noting its faculty's expertise in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and the Lotus Sutra. Venerable Guo Huei later accompanied President Mochizuki to the campus history museum, explaining the founding vision of Master Sheng Yen and presenting a complete set of the Complete Works of Master Sheng Yen as a gift.
 
After the signing ceremony, Professor Kim Byung-gon from the Research Center for East Asian Buddhist Studies at Minobusan University delivered a lecture at 2:00 p.m. entitled "A Systematic Framework for the New History of Lotus Sutra Studies (新法華教学史の体系)." He proposed reexamining discussions of Lotus Sutra thought from a fundamental perspective, offering new approaches distinct from traditional fragmented views of East Asian Buddhist history. His examples—such as moving beyond sectarian frameworks, comparing Dunhuang manuscripts, and bridging historical gaps—were met with enthusiastic responses from the audience.
 
During the visit, President Mochizuki also planned to tour the institute's library to explore the application of AI in revitalizing Buddhist texts, and on the 26th, to visit the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education. Through guided tours by faculty and volunteers, he hoped to gain a deeper understanding of how Dharma Drum Mountain integrates Buddhist teachings and academic research into daily practice and social engagement through its three types of education.

 
Original text in Chinese and photos: Chang Yao-chung (張曜鐘)
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown