The museum was founded in November 2001 by Venerable Hsin Tao (心道), a Buddhist monk, and set up through the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Foundation. Further elaborate opening ceremonies were held in September and November 2002 with many religious leaders and others from around the world, including the President Chen Shui-bian.[2] The Taiwanese architect and educator Han Pao-teh was the first curator. In February 2003, an interactive multimedia was installed at the Hall of Life Travel.
The museum presents exhibits on ten different major world religions. It also features a model called "Avatamsaka World" illustrating the Avatamsaka Sutra.
