Short answers, pulled from the story.
Dutch settlers arrived in Taiwan in 1624 and immediately began to discourage Buddhist practice. Under Dutch law from that year until 1663, idol worship carried the penalty of public flogging or banishment.
Four central temples emerged as focal points: Yue-mei Mountain founded by Master Shan-hui, Guan-yin Mountain founded by Master Ben-yuan, Fa-yun Temple founded by Master Jue-li, and Chao-feng Temple founded by Yi-min. These four locations became known as the Four Holy Mountains of Taiwanese Buddhism during this era.
In 1949, mainland monks fled to Taiwan alongside Chiang Kai-shek's military forces following their defeat in the Chinese Civil War. These refugees received preferential treatment from the new regime that took control after World War II.
Master Sheng-yen led Dharma Drum Mountain in Jinshan from 1931 until his death in 2009. Master Hsing Yun founded Fo Guang Shan near Kaohsiung and lived from 1927 to 2023. Master Cheng Yen established Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien and continues her work today since 1937. Master Wei Chueh created Chung Tai Shan in Nantou and passed away in 2016 at age eighty-eight.
Taiwan's Buddhist population grew from 800,000 in 1983 to 4.9 million by 1995 representing a six hundred percent increase. During the same period the general population increased only about twelve percent.