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Dharma Masters |
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Venerable Master Jian Zong Shih was named abbot of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston in February 2008. He was vice-abbot at our center from 2004 to 2005 and returns to us by way of Sunnyvale, California where he was Dharma professor at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale since 2006.
Happy to have this opportunity to serve the city of Houston, he recognizes that our Zen Center’s culturally rich and varied membership is a reflection of how great Houston is and of the broad appeal Buddhism has among individuals from all walks of life. His promise is to continue spreading Dharma joy everywhere.
Seeking a deeper understanding of the true meaning of life, Master Jian Zong started to frequent a local Chung Tai Zen Center in his native Taiwan. Under the compassionate guidance of its masters, he experienced the subtle and profound wisdom of the Dharma. When at Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Master Jian Zong was deeply moved by Grand Master Wei Chueh’s great compassion and conduct, witnessing the Grand Master’s tireless devotion to propagating Buddhism for the liberation of all sentient beings. With unwavering determination, Master Jian Zong joined the monastic order under the Grand Master to fulfill the great vows of “attaining the Buddha Way and liberating all sentient beings.”
Soon after Master Jian Zong joined the monastic order, he immersed himself in the study of the Dharma at the Graduate Division of the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute. Since then, he has served as vice-abbot for Chung Tai Chan Monastery, abbot of Great Enlightenment Monastery of Keelong, and director of student counseling and instructor of Buddhist Studies at the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute.
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Master Jian Qiang is the Vice Abbot of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston. He is the Executive Director in charge of monastic affairs and general affairs. Master Jian Qiang has been immersed in Zen for more than 15 years. Jian Qiang served as Vice Abbot of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, Director of the Dharma Affairs office, Dharma Lecturer of Chung Tai Buddhist Institute, as well as General Supervisor of Shi Fang Da Jue (Great Awakening Chan Monastery) in Keelong, and Executive Director of both Buddha Gate monastery and Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale.
Master Jian Qiang has extensive knowledge of many trades including computer maintenance, design & construction, and agriculture. This experience helps create a beautiful yet functional center for the education of Buddhism. His compassion and vow to help promote Buddhism in the west provide all practitioners with a sublime and tranquil environment. Along with his many executive duties, Master Jian Qiang is also a Dharma instructor for the Chinese Buddhist class. He has profound knowledge in Buddhism and Chinese Zen. His many years in America have guided him to better understand the needs and problems of the western students. He has made a deep vow to promote Buddhism to all sentient beings in the U.S.
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Master Jian Xiao is the Vice Abbot of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston. He is the executive director of Dharma affairs. Master Jian Xiao has been following the Buddha’s teaching for more than 14 years. Prior to becoming a monk, Master Jian Xiao studied in the United States at Rutgers University where he obtained his masters degree in Economics and another masters degree in Business Administration.
After being ordained as a monk, Master Jian Xiao was the instructor of the College Buddhist Association for Northern Taiwan and the Executive Director at Pu De meditation center in Taipei. He has also held the position of Abbot at Pu Quan meditation center in Taipei and the Abbot of Ocean Sky monastery in the Philippines.
Master Jian Xiao is the Dharma instructor for many of the classes within Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston including beginning, intermediate, and children’s English Dharma classes. His deep understanding and joyful approach to Zen help guide the students to understand their Mind and ability to overcome life’s obstacles. Jian Xiao vows to help all sentient beings and his diligence and compassion will certainly benefit students in the west.
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Master Jian Jian's duties are to assist the director of Monastic Affairs in coordinating monastic administration and in documenting religious ceremonies and services. In addition, as Docent Director, he is also in charge of coordinating the visiting programs and training the lay docent volunteers for the Monastery. Master Jian Jian has a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Tatung University in Taiwan. He was tonsured and ordained as a Buddhist monk of the Linji School in May, 2003, and since then, has studied and completed the graduate training at the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute.
With the rigorous training from the Institute, Master Jian Jian is well versed in Buddhist teachings and monastic affairs. He has also applied his training on various executive positions in large scale Buddhist ceremonies at Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. Thus, his experience and expertise in the many aspects of monastic affairs is ideal to implement the expanding range of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston.
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Master Jian Ying is responsible for Dharma teaching and Dharma ceremonies. Jian Ying has been following the teachings of the Buddha for more than a decade. Prior to becoming a monk, Jian Ying studied at Ohio State University where he obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering. Shortly after his return to Taiwan, he became ordained as a monk and studied at the Buddhist Institute and served as Director of Religious Services at Chung Tai Chan Monastery. Master Jian Ying served as Administrative Director and Dharma Teacher at Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette, California. Master Jian Ying arrived in Texas to help establish the Houston Zen Center more than 6 years ago. He has been attending Rice University where he is completing his PhD in Religious Studies. His profound knowledge of many religions and languages provide deep understanding and compassion for students in the west.
Master Jian Ying is the Dharma instructor for the English classes including the youth and beginners classes. His comprehensive understanding of Zen as well as his knowledge of many worldly religions make his teaching vital which provides insight to our own life and the tools we need to reach happiness. Master Jian Ying has extensive knowledge of many worldly affairs and has a deep understanding of Buddhism, thus we can all benefit from his teaching. |
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Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston
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Venerable Master Jian Zong Abbot of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston |
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Master Jian Qiang Vice Abbot of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston |
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Master Jian Xiao Vice Abbot of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston |
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Master Jian Jian Dharma Master of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston |
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Master Jian Ying Dharma Master of Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston |
