When the writer Lin Ch'ing-hsuan worked as a newspaper reporter, his life was a mess: he stayed up all night, ran around in the fast lane, and often wound up drunk ten or twenty days out of the month. A friend saw his spiritual exhaustion and distress and suggested he read about Buddhism, a suggestion which changed his life.

Sun Ch'un-hua, originally a television director, had always been looking for her niche in life and an answer to the question, "What do we live for?" She had pursued farming, writing, and other life-styles; had joined various religious groups; and had searched the realms of psychology and philosophy in hopes of discovering an answer, but she had never found what she was looking for.

Until one day, while out for a walk, she heard the sound of chanting from a distant temple. That sound, unremarkable yet familiar as though known to her from a previous world, unexpectedly moved her to tears.

A thousand copies of the book Buddhism in Orthodox Belief by Master Shengyen of Nungch'an Temple were printed up when it was first published in 1965, and for many years they found few takers. Then five years ago, the book suddenly became a best-seller, and now nearly 10,000 copies are distributed each month. Ten years ago, just twenty or thirty people would come to hear a Buddhist master expound the scriptures. Now halls with capacities of several thousand are inadequate to hold the crowds.

All signs indicate that the number of people practicing or studying Buddhism on Taiwan is steadily increasing.

Master Sheng-yen has two explanations for the turnabout. First, at a time when contemporary man's living space grows ever smaller and social tensions ever greater, Buddhism offers people explanations for the flux around them and a limitless spiritual space to roam in. And second, as people rise in educational level, they gain a new understanding of Buddhism which they find more acceptable.

He says that people in the past often confused orthodox Buddhism with folk beliefs, maintaining that it was "negative" and "superstitious." But now intellectuals from all walks of life are studying Buddhism, and they have influenced people about them.

After Buddhism spread to China from the west around the fifth century A.D., the religion had a profound and far-reaching influence on the country's literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, philosophy, and culture in general, while beliefs in retribution ("good deeds and bad are rewarded in kind; it's not a question of if--it's just a matter of time") and reincarnation became deeply ingrained in the popular mind.

Yang Hui-nan, an assistant professor of philosophy at National Taiwan University, believes that one of the reasons for Buddhism's current resurgence and its popularity with many intellectuals is the many points it shares in common with traditional Confucian and Taoist thought. When Buddhism was in full flower during the Sui and T'ang dynasties (581 to 907), the aristocracy and the literati were important forces in its propagation. So from a historical perspective, the interest of intellectuals in Buddhism today is easy to understand.

What is not so easy for many people to accept is the growing number of college students who have chosen to become Buddhist monks or runs immediately after graduation. Why do they do it, people ask. Aren't they wasting the education and training which society has so assiduously provided them?

With regard to this phenomenon, Master Sheng-yen believes that a Buddhist need not necessarily become a monk or nun to achieve enlightenment; practicing and studying at home may prove equally effective. Society today does appear bewilderingly complex, but that doesn't mean that one must seek the monastery or nunnery as a refuge. "If you wish, you can see through the illusions of the world and free yourself from reincarnation by practice at home," he says. "And if you don't practice seriously and free your mind from worldly thoughts, you won't achieve true liberation even if you join an order."

Master Sheng-yen adds that the life of a monk or nun is not as easy as some people imagine. Besides adhering to various commandments and rules, Buddhist monks and runs must take lifelong vows; if one hasn't achieved great enlightenment already, it's very difficult to find the determination.

He thinks that if a college graduate has made a rational assessment and chosen to become a monk or nun, he or she may still contribute to society through social, educational, or cultural work. And the Buddhist concept of selflessness will help them serve people even more faithfully and conscientiously.

Since becoming a Buddhist, the writer Lin Ch'ing-hsuan has quit smoking and drinking, become a vegetarian, grown much more disciplined in his daily life, and come, he feels, to experience something of true wisdom. Although people today seem to be in charge of their lives on the surface, in fact, he says, they are unconsciously being controlled by material desires. Because of scientific development, mankind believes it can conquer Nature. Lin says that he once held a similar view, but after glimpsing the mystery and truth of the universe from Buddhist scriptures, he has come to realize his own insignificance.

Buddhism has given him humility and enabled him to accept the twists and turns of fortune and fate. The Buddhist scriptures enjoin man to look beyond the material world. Good and evil arise from the heart, and because of reincarnation each thought and action influences the next life. That concept may perhaps serve as an admonition and a warning for people wrapped up in the life of this world, he says.

Like the followers of other religions, Buddhists are eager to share the joy that they have discovered with others.

Yet the Buddha cautioned, "Don't talk about it!" in the hope that people would experience the truth of life and the universe in themselves rather than becoming ensnared in words.

Have Buddhists been saying anything? It also seems that they haven't!

[Picture Caption]

Maitreya Buddha waits with a smile for people to come listen to the Law.

Let those with ears hear! (photo by Vincent Chang)

The faithful come from all "walks" of life.

Enlightenment and liberation may be achieved in an instant.

(below right) Meditation is a daily practice for many Buddhists.

(below left) In addition to studying the scriptures and chanting, working the vegetable garden is a "required course" for budding monks or nuns.

The doors of the temple are always open. (photo by Vincent Chang)

Let those with ears hear! （photo by Vincent Chang）

The faithful come from all "walks" of life.

Enlightenment and liberation may be achieved in an instant.

（below left） In addition to studying the scriptures and chanting, working the vegetable garden is a "required course" for budding monks or nuns.

（below right） Meditation is a daily practice for many Buddhists.

The doors of the temple are always open. （photo by Vincent Chang）