Buddhism arrived in Taiwan with Han Chinese settlers and was further shaped by the Japanese colonial period, during which Japanese Buddhist sects had significant influence. Contemporary Taiwanese Buddhism, however, is predominantly of the Chinese Mahayana variety.

Four major Buddhist organisations dominate contemporary Taiwanese Buddhist life. Fo Guang Shan, based in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, is one of the largest Buddhist organisations in the world and the founder of a global network of temples and universities. Its headquarters — a vast complex of halls, gardens, and monuments — is impressive to visit regardless of one’s own religious orientation. Tzu Chi, founded by the nun Cheng Yen in Hualien in 1966, is a humanitarian organisation of enormous global reach, operating hospitals, schools, and disaster relief programmes; it is probably Taiwan’s best-known international organisation. Dharma Drum Mountain, founded by the master Sheng Yen, and Chung Tai Chan Monastery, founded by Master Wei Chueh, complete what are sometimes called the “four heavenly kings” of Taiwanese Buddhism.