Originated from the review of life education in Taiwan, this study focuses on issues of life education covering life development, growth, care and introspection. Due to the wide scope of this topic, it is not easy to define the idea in a comprehensive way. Although life education has been actively promoted, no one effective way has ever been found to guide people in fulfilling their lives through life experiences. Thus, the terms like “respect lives”, “love your life”, “look after people” and “live your own life” remain abstract concepts. To find solutions to this issue, this study is intended to explore alternative ways of life education. The core issue of this study is the influence of “mind protection” initiated and incorporated into the life education by the Dharma Drum Mountain in Taiwan. As the world is full of complicated conflicts, wars, and natural disasters, it is critical to keep the mind calm and clear without being disturbed by surrounding people and events. Master Sheng Yen, advocates the concept of “mind protection” as the best way to achieve the goal. Master Sheng Yen translates the concept into specific principles of Buddhist life education at Dharma Drum Mountain: Lift quality of human beings, and build a peaceful land in the world. As the maxim of Dharma Drum Mountain’s plan of education, the “Mind protection” concept is a modern expression representing purification of mind that Master Sheng Yen brought up according to Buddhist scriptures. The mind protection idea is intended to purify people’s mind and the society, and to ultimately achieve the goal of lifting quality of human beings and building a land of peace in the world. By purifying people’s mind and the society, everyone can live a healthy, happy and safe life on the land of peace. The vision of Dharma Drum Mountain about mind protection consists of three interrelated elements of protection: religion, education and environment. The purpose of the later two elements is to make the world the land of Buddhism. Aiming at transforming the modern world, it is the most important part of Master Sheng Yen’s plan of Buddhistm modernization. Master Sheng Yen brought up many plans and methods about how to implement mind protection, including three major education elements, four environmental protection measures, five-four mind reform, and six-mind-ethics proposal. He hoped that we can eventually achieve mind protection, purify the society, and build a land of peace in the world.
