Yuanlin Zen Temple has fostered a deep and enduring connection with the Yuanlin community, serving as a spiritual stronghold and charitable hub for local residents. As early as 1954, Master Shanguang established the Ci’ai Nursery School (now Ci’ai Kindergarten) within the temple grounds, providing childcare and early education to local families. Through this Buddhist preschool – which nurtures children with compassion – the temple became intertwined with community life, with many Yuanlin residents forming an early bond with the temple from childhood. During major festivals and holidays (such as Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn), the temple often hosts appreciation events for seniors or community gatherings, inviting neighborhood elders and residents to participate, distributing goodwill gifts or supplies. This open-door, inclusive approach has cultivated an atmosphere wherein the temple is seen as an integral part of the neighborhood.

In the realm of education and youth development, since the late 1970s the temple has funded scholarships for underprivileged outstanding students in Yuanlin and surrounding townships, helping local youths complete their education. For instance, the temple’s foundation has annually provided awards to five students per school across five townships for decades – a contribution that many beneficiaries have later paid forward to society, creating a positive ripple effect. The temple also supports youth sports; in recent years it donated baseball equipment to the youth baseball team of Yongjing Middle School, aiding a rural school in promoting athletics. These efforts have made the temple a driving force in local philanthropy and allowed residents to experience Buddhist compassion in tangible ways.