[1] Soon after he obtained a doctorate in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University, Jian Tan was exposed to the teachings of Buddhism.
His newfound interest in religion led him to explore the writings of the Chan Buddhism masters Xu Yun and Wei Chueh.
In 1995, he attended a Zen Seven Day Retreat at Lin Chuan Monastery, which was presided over by Wei Chueh.
Jian Tan was ordained at Chung Tai Chan Monastery in 2003 and completed his education at the Buddhist institute four years later.
On March 12, 2019, Jian Tan led prayer at the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas.