[English]
「中華電子佛典協會」（Chinese Buddhist Electronic Texts Association，簡稱 CBETA）由恆清法師發起，結合佛教界從事佛典電子化的團體及個人，於 1998 年 2 月 15 日成立，並委請「財團法人菩提教育基金會」（1998 年 2 月～2001 年 1 月）和「財團法人西蓮教育基金會」（2001 年 2 月開始）協助營運。
2021 年底，CBETA 主任委員惠敏法師提出 CBETA 永續發展議題，經恆清法師、法鼓山方丈和尚等相關人士討論，開始籌備成立財團法人基金會。
繼而財團法人法鼓山佛教基金會（1,300 萬）、西蓮淨苑（500 萬）、靜思人文志業股份有限公司（400 萬）、釋恆清、法雨山普宜苑、釋照印、福嚴精舍、圓光寺、詹益堃、詹益閔、打鼓岩元亨寺等（各 100 萬，依捐助承諾順序記載）共捐助 3,000 萬元整，於 2023 年 4 月 8 日召開捐助人籌備會議，推選釋果毅、釋惠敏、何日生、邱大剛、釋圓悟、釋性儀、釋法持、陳光華、洪振洲等為董事；並召開第一屆董事會，推選釋惠敏為董事長，洪振洲董事兼任執行長。
後續備齊相關文件，向主管機關內政部申請設立全國性宗教財團法人「財團法人佛教電子佛典基金會」（Comprehensive Buddhist Electronic Text Archive Foundation，簡稱 CBETA Foundation 或 CBETA 基金會），於 2023 年 8 月 7 日完成設立程序，繼續建立各種佛教藏經與著作之電子佛典集成資料庫與數位平台，推動佛教資訊化相關專案，促進佛教數位傳播之交流與發展。
CBETA Foundation Establishment
The Chinese Buddhist Electronic Texts Association (CBETA), initiated by Venerable Hengching, has brought together groups and individuals dedicated to the digitization of Buddhist texts from the Buddhist community. Founded on February 15, 1998, CBETA’s operational support was initially provided by the Bodhi Education Foundation (from February 1998 to January 2001) and subsequently by the Seeland Education Foundation (February 2001 onwards).
At the end of 2021, the Director of CBETA Venerable Huimin raised CBETA sustainability and development issues. After discussions involving Venerable Hengching, the abbot of Dharma Drum Mountain Venerable Guohuei, and other relevant figures, preparations began for the establishment of a foundation.
In due course, donations totaling 30 million TWD were made by the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Foundation (13 million TWD), Seeland Monastery (5 million TWD), Jing Si Publishing Co., Ltd. (4 million TWD), and other donors including Venerable Hengching, Fa Yu Shan Pu-yi Yuan Monastery, Fuyan Monastery, Yuan Kuang Ch'an Monastery, Zhan Yikun, Zhan Yimin, and Yuan Heng Temple (each contributing 1 million TWD, listed in the order of commitment). On April 8, 2023, a preparatory meeting of donors was held, electing Venerable Guoyi, Venereble Huimin, Her Reysheng, Qiu Dagang, Venerable Yuanwu, Venerable Shingyi, Venerable Fachi, Chen Guanghua, and Hung Jenjou as directors. The first board meeting was held, electing Venerable Huimin as the Chairman and Hung Jenjou as the Chief Executive Director.
With the necessary documentation, an application was made to the Ministry of the Interior to form the Comprehensive Buddhist Electronic Text Archive Foundation (CBETA Foundation) as a national religious foundation. The procedures came to a conclusion on August 7, 2023.
CBETA Foundation will continue developing databases and digital platforms for Buddhist scriptures and writings, promote Buddhist information technology projects, and facilitate the exchange and development of digital dissemination of Buddhism.
