Trace Of Buddhism University Campus Design In Taiwan

Buddhism,as one of the most important religious beliefs in Taiwan,has profound influence on the society.Since Ming and Qing dynasties,as mainland costal residents moving to Taiwan,gradually influences Taiwanese's Buddhist architecture Onwards Taiwanese Buddhism developed further through different historic periods;the Japanese ruling,Second World War,political martial law.Correspond to each time frame the Buddhist architecture as a spatial manifestation of Buddhism had developed a “contemporary” style.As Taiwanese Buddhism gradually developed more concrete identity,Buddhist architecture too underwent a "modernization" transformation.Education is one of the methods for preaching Buddhism.Buddhism campus has become a more secular way of presenting Buddhist architecture.After the 1987 Taiwan Private School Act adjustment and the lifting of martial law,the government had reduced control of education by religious schools.In addition,the land scarcity & population density in Taiwan had determined the development of university campus to suburban hillsides.Therefore,local conditions have become an essential consideration in campus planning.All of these have become the condition & characteristics of establishing of university campus by contemporary Taiwanese Buddhist schools.This research studied three Buddhist schoolcampus development in the Northern region of Taiwan.It aims to comprehend the campus development process and planning & design,through the case study of Taiwan University,the earliest modern university and Donghai University,the very earliest religious university,as a reference for research of Dharma Drum College of Arts and Sciences campus.Altogether to elaborate the developments of Buddhism university campus characteristics in Taiwan.Located on sloping woodland,the Dharma Drum College of Arts and Sciences was planned and designed by the Taiwanese architect KRIS YAO | ARTECH.Dharma Drum greatly values nature coexistence and ecological,sustainable development,therefor the campus was set out to maintain original appearance of the environment.The campus was constructed on small plots of land & consists out of low-rise,multi-level building groups,respecting nature topography as the base of the entire campus.The architectural design concept of the Dharma Drum College of Arts and Sciences is simple and modest.The design combines the abstract concept of oriental Zen and the modernity of Western rational science.Its modern & clear architectural design displays the contemporary Taiwanese architecture.Inspired by topography,with functional distribution flow informing an appropriate configuration,the architecture reflects Dharma Drum founder Master Sheng Yen's "locus instruct" & acts as contemporary Buddhist architecture concept.Creating calm and aesthetic teaching environment,with an harmonious and humane living atmosphere.Suitable for learning and contemplation,shaping a unique environment led education.This research analyzes the architectural concepts and characteristics of the Dharma Drum School of Arts and Sciences,and concludes with Buddhist campus architecture characteristics under the contemporary development of Taiwan.It serves as Taiwanese contemporary Buddhist spatial manifestation,expressing material sensibility & craftsmanship,as Buddhist architecture's modernization...