Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Visits Chung Tai Chan Monastery

The Dharma Flourishes through Mutual Exchange:
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Visits Chung Tai Chan Monastery

From October 17th to 19th, 2023, a delegation from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) of Thailand visited Chung Tai Chan Monastery. Led by the Vice Rector of Foreign Affairs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Surasak Prajantasen, the delegation embarked on a three-day visit of cultural exchange.

Prior to the visit, Chung Tai Chan Monastery and MCU had signed a memorandum of understanding on November 29th, 2022 in honor of the cooperation and friendship between the two institutions. In the memorandum, they agreed to further their collaboration in teaching and spreading the Dharma. Timed near the first anniversary of the signing, the delegation’s visit aimed to deepen the ties between Chung Tai and MCU.

A new chapter, a deeper exchange.

MCU is a historic institution and one of Thailand’s most important Buddhist universities. The delegation included:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Surasak Prajantasen, Vice Rector of Foreign Affairs;

Dr. Phrakrusrisitthibandit Somtua, Director of Registration and Evaluation;

Phramaha Chiravat Kanjoo, Director of the ASEAN Studies College Centre;

Phramaha Kosol Madee, Director of the International Relations Division;

Phramaha Anucha Thongtha, Director of the Division of Building and Vehicles;

Phrakhrupalad Uthai Phonthep, Vice Director of the Dhamma Communications Division;

Phrakhruthammathon Waradecha Phromsena, Lecturer of Dhammaduta College;

Phramaha Chumphon Kaewchan, Lecturer of Chonburi Buddhist College el at.

They were warmly received by the Abbot of Chung Tai, Venerable Master Jianying in the Virtuous Congregation Room, where a tea reception was held.

Abbot Jianying expressed his great joy and honor in receiving the delegation led by Vice Rector Phramaha Surasak Prajantasen. Their visit is a historic occasion in the partnership between Chung Tai and MCU.

The Abbot mentioned, “Our sangha has over twelve hundred monks and nuns, with one hundred and eight meditation centers around the world. The Founding Abbot, Grand Master Weichueh, taught the Three Links of Cultivation as the foundation for our practice. The three links are scripture study, meritorious service, and meditation. He also established the Five Approaches for Sharing the Dharma for spreading Buddhism in modern times: Buddhism in daily living, education, arts, science, and academia. Through his teachings, monks and nuns diligently cultivate the Bodhisattva Way in their daily lives. Our monastery represents a synthesis of Chan tradition and the Mahayana teaching of bodhisattva practice. Therefore, MCU’s visit marks a significant step in the relationship between Theravada and Chinese Buddhism at Chung Tai Chan Monastery.”

Vice Rector for Foreign Affairs, Phramaha Surasak Prajantasen stated that MCU was founded by King Rama V of Thailand and currently has a total of seventeen branches worldwide. The student body comprises twenty-five thousand individuals, including both ordained monks and lay practitioners. Currently, MCU sponsors around two thousand bhikkhus who actively spread Theravada Buddhism across Europe, America, Asia, and other nations. As the tea reception neared its conclusion, the Vice Rector invited Abbot Jianying to visit MCU to continue their collaborative exchange. Both parties exchanged commemorative gifts, then took a group photo in front of the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings.

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  • 1-3. Abbot Jianying graciously hosted a tea reception for the delegation from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in the Virtuous Congregation Room, where he presented a Buddha statue to the Vice Rector.
  • 4-6.The delegation’s itinerary included a tour of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, a welcome luncheon at the Three Virtues Hall, and a visit to the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute for Nuns.
  •    7.The delegation pays respects to Grand Master Weichueh in front of the Founding Abbot’s Memorial Pagoda.

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Creating great affinity through the Buddha’s teachings.

Afterwards, the Vice Abbot of Monastic Affairs, Venerable Master Jianzun, led the delegation on a tour of Chung Tai Chan Monastery. The monastery’s architecture seamlessly integrates the Five Approaches for Sharing the Dharma, and leaves a profound impression on visitors. At 11:00 a.m., a welcome luncheon was held in the Three Virtues Hall, where the MCU delegation was offered a vegetarian feast by Abbot Jianying on behalf of the Chung Tai sangha. After the luncheon, the MCU delegation proceeded to the Founding Abbot’s Pagoda to pay homage to Grand Master Weichueh. There, they chanted dedications and expressed admiration for the Grand Master’s contributions to Buddhism.

The delegation then visited the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute for Nuns. The Dean of the Buddhist Institute for Monks and President of Pu Tai Senior High School, Venerable Master Jianshao; and the Dean of the Buddhist Institute for Nuns, Venerable Master Jianpi, led the delegation on a tour of the campus. They visited the Chan hall, classrooms, and computer rooms while learning about the curriculum for nuns at various grade levels.

At 3:00 p.m. after touring Pu Tai Elementary School, the MCU delegation visited Pu Tai Senior High School. Master Jianshao introduced them to Pu Tai’s twelve-year education program, which emphasizes moral values, as well as academic success and adaptive development. At Pu Tai, Vice Rector Prajantasen expressed admiration for Grand Master Weichueh’s vow to create schools that nurture the qualities of filial piety and compassion within its students. The delegation also visited Pu Tai’s Art Hall, Foreign Language Immersion Center, and various teaching facilities.

On the morning of October 18th, the delegation toured the Chung Tai World Museum. Venerable Master Jianchen, the museum's director, warmly welcomed them with a tea reception. The Vice Rector praised the museum for its dedication to preserving Buddhist heritage and acknowledged it both as the museum of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, and also a museum for the people of the world. He noted that visiting the museum helps one achieve mental purity, and that it simultaneously embodies the three essentials of spiritual practice: morality, samadhi, and wisdom.

After viewing the special exhibit “The Land of the Buddha: Thai Sculptural Art from the Museum Collection,” and a collection of stone sculptures from the Northern Qi dynasty, the delegation concluded their museum tour by dedicating their merits toward the continued collaboration between Chung Tai and the MCU. They expressed their hopes for boundless success in Chung Tai Chan Monastery’s propagation of the Dharma. At 2:30 p.m., after a visit to the Wood Sculpture Gallery, the MCU delegation’s tour of Chung Tai came to an end.

The next morning, the delegation traveled to Taipei and visited Pu Zhao Meditation Center to learn more about Chung Tai Chan Monastery’s system of meditation centers.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University’s visit to Chung Tai Chan Monastery was a meaningful exchange between different Buddhist traditions. It is hoped that both institutions will continue their partnership in propagating the Dharma, and mutually contribute to each other’s success in guiding sentient beings toward the shores of enlightenment.

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  •    1.The delegation visited Pu Tai Senior High School and learned about the diverse academic achievements of Pu Tai students.
  • 2-3.They toured Chung Tai World Museum and the Wood Sculpture Gallery, experiencing Buddhist art as a means to teach and spread the Dharma.
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