Vision

Dharma Drum University is a university which practices “Protecting the Spiritual Environment” as promoted by late Master Sheng Yen. The School of Environmental Studies’ mission is to realize and promote the concept of the Spiritual Environment, and to foster talents to sustain this mission. The School of Environmental Sciences is committed to integrate academic research and education, so that both intellectual and spiritual capacities can develop simultaneously. Also, the School is committed to community care and to social involvement to promote harmony between humans and the environment.

The programs of the School of Environmental Studies are designed to explore issues related to environmental protection, and to study the inter-relations between environment, society and economics. Based on the concept of Protecting the Spiritual Environment, the programs integrate environmental sciences and technologies to explore environmental development and vision. Based on humane and religious compassion, the programs are designed to foster environmental professionals with an emphasis on both theory and practice.

Mission

Integration of Environmental and ecological conservation and Spiritual Environment Protection

The concepts of environmental conservation and Spiritual Environment protection are in fact one single concept with two faces. In the past, academia has only emphasized the importance of environmental conservation without bringing humanity into consideration. Using such an approach, research tends to be biased and limited. To have a complete view of the issues, research should also include the interactions between ecology and the environment. Taking the concept of “Uplifting the character of humanity and building a pure land on earth” as its foundation, the School designs research that includes Spiritual Environment Protection, Ecological conservation and Environmental development.

Exploration of the concept of sustainable development and environmental policy practice

To prevent environmental studies from degrading to empty discussions, Environmental studies should include environmental policies, develop practical strategies and foster professionals to implement plans. As such, the School designs studies that conform to the rule of law doctrine and to principles of social justice, and studies to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental protection. The School’s programs are based on “Sustainable Development”, which places emphasis on long-lasting benefits for humanity and the environment.

The School community and the establishment of ecological environment education

Strongly advocating the threefold education, “academic education, public outreach education and compassionate education,” Dharma Drum Mountain has shown solicitude for education in ecology conservation and environmental protection. This is not only an important principle of the School’s education, but it must also be integrated with the community to create new environmental concepts and to care for the natural environment and its change. Therefore, in addition to “social services,” the School actively promotes the concept of ecology conservation and environmental protection and trains professionals to put these concepts into practice.