Grand Master Wei Chueh
Grand Master Wei Chueh is one of the most prominent modern Buddhist figures in Taiwan. He had over 1,000 monk disciples and many more followers. He established his own order of Buddhism known as Chung Tai Shan Buddhism, but is mainly credited for leading a modern revival of Chan and Chinese Zen Buddhism.
Grand Master Wei Chueh was a Buddhist born in China who fled to Taiwan during the Communist Revolution. It was here in Taiwan that Wei Chueh was ordained, and went on to live out the rest of his life. He was ordained in 1963 at the Great Enlightenment Chan Monastery where he became known for his devotion and diligence in all of his actions. The Grand Master then entered a period of solitude, common to Chan Buddhism. In 1987, Wei Chueh ended his solitude and founded the Lin Quan temple in Taipei, where he gained recognition and popularity for his Dharma lectures and seven-day Zen retreats. His popularity continued to grow, and eventually his following outgrew the Lin Quan temple that he had established. In response, Wei Chueh founded the larger Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Central Taiwan in September 2001. This is the largest Buddhist temple in Nantou County, Taiwan.
Grand Master Wei Chueh died on April 18th, 2016 at the age of 88.
Information From:
Grand Master Wei Chueh Obituary