Prajna (wisdom) is our compass, Dharma is our map: Finding inner peace in a turbulent world
The Prajna Dharma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization registered in the United States (2022) and a non-profit association registered in Taiwan (2024).
Guided by the Buddhist principle of "Prajna wisdom is our compass, Dharma practice is our road map", the foundation is dedicated to supporting the practice of Jianhu Shifu and promoting his Chan meditation and Buddhist teachings to all who wish to find inner peace in this turbulent world.
Jianhu Shifu explains Buddhist teaching in a modern context, and shows how to integrate the timeless ancient wisdom with concrete guidance on Chan meditation practice. Unification of study and practice is the core of Buddhist cultivation, which will help each of us address the challenges of our bustling lives and discover true freedom from within.
Integrating Scientific Mindset with Chan Meditation Guidance
Jianhu Shifu took monastic vows in 1994 under Grand Master Wei Chueh, the founder of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan. He later served as the Dean of the Chung Tai Buddhist Institute and the Director of its Graduate School.
Before ordination, Jianhu Shifu earned a B.S. in Computer Science from California Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Artificial Neural Networks (AI) from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). This unique background enables him to examine and elucidate Buddhist teachings with a scientific mindset. His teachings are widely-admired, including profound scriptures such as the Diamond Sutra, the Treatise on the Perfection of Great Wisdom (Mahā-Prajñā-Pāramitā-Sāstra) and the Chinese Chan Masters. They provide a systematic and approachable way for practitioners, revitalizing ancient wisdom for our modern age.
For over two decades, Shifu has taught and given Dharma talks across Asia, America, and Europe, and founded nine monasteries and Chan centers in the United States. His teachings adhere to the non-duality principle unifying sudden and gradual Chan approaches, the oneness of the Three Vehicles, and that enlightenment is possible for all, men or women.
Through years of experiences leading seven-day intensive meditation retreats, meditation workshops, and many classes and lectures, Shifu guides practitioners on a journey of inward observation and turning afflictions into living wisdom. This approach brings Chan (Chinese Zen) from philosophical study into everyday life, helping practitioners find peace in the present moment, explore the true self and awaken our lives.
Shifu’s recent talks and teachings are publicly available on Prajna Dharma’s website www.prajnadharma.org and the
Prajna Dharma YouTube channel.
The Prajna Forest Monastery in Silicon Valley
To provide a sanctuary where the body and mind can find serenity, Shifu established the Prajna Forest Monastery in 2024 as a home for Chan meditation and practice. It’s nestled in the serene hills outside Silicon Valley, surrounded by redwood forests and natural landscapes. The monastery offers meditation retreats and workshops, Dharma lectures, and opportunities for community practice and service, allowing practitioners to be nourished by wisdom and compassion.
We sincerely invite Chan practitioners, truth seekers, and life adventurers to discover the treasures offered by Jianhu Shifu, board the ship of Prajna Dharma and embark on this journey of awakening together!
