Professor Lee Chih-fu
Professor Lee Chih-fu retired from CHIBS on Dec. 26, 2006, and was immediately appointed to be the Honorary Director by Master Sheng Yen. Professor Lee did not cease to devote and contribute to Buddhist studies for over three decades despite his retirement.
In 1978, the Director of the China Academy Graduate School of Buddhist Studies, Professor Zhou Bangdao, wished to retire due to his old age. Therefore, Professor Lee Chih-fu recommended Master Sheng Yen to the Dean of the College of Chinese Culture to take Professor Zhou’s place. Dean Pan Weihe visited Master Sheng Yen at the Institute of Chinese Culture and asked Master Sheng Yen who held a Ph. D. from Rissho University of Japan to be the Director of the China Academy Graduate School of Buddhist Studies. Professor Lee Chih-fu and Professor Fang Ning-shu were the major professors who assisted Master Sheng Yen to deal with academic, student-related, and administration affairs.
In 1985, due to impermanence, the China Academy Graduate School of Buddhist Studies moved to the then newly built 5-floored building of the Institute of Buddhist Culture and changed its name to Chung-hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies. Other than teaching at Chinese Culture University, Professor Lee dedicated all his time to CHIBS despite not holding any position in the Institute.
Master Sheng Yen set up a Provisional Office for Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA) in 1993 and Professor Lee was appointed as the Direct to apply for permission for the Institute and plan for the academic affairs. Professor Lee passed the position of Director of the Provisional Office for DILA to Professor Tseng Chi-chun in 1997.
Professor Lee retired from the Department of Philosophy of Chinese Culture University in July 1996 and became the Director of CHIBS. Since then, he focused on the management and development of CHIBS. The entire faculty, staff, and students left the Institute of Buddhist Culture in Beitou and moved to the present location in Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education. Every step CHIBS took embodies Professor Lee’s effort.
