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32 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE
A Monastic’s
Genuine
Journey of
Compassion
By Ven. Jue Cheng
Venerable Jue Cheng (覺誠法師) is currently the Wuan Hoong: As the Chief Abbess in Singapore,
Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, you also have
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. In 1989, many other roles and responsibilities. How do you do
Venerable left her teaching career to start her all of that while maintaining your Dharma practice?
monastic training at Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin
University. With her courage, determination and Jue Cheng: During war times, Ven. Tai Xu (太虛大師)
compassion, she helped built Templo Zu Lai and a visited Vulture Peak and he was inspired and wrote the
Buddhist community in São Paulo, Brazil. During following verses:
that period, she had been held at gunpoint no less
“The tree of awakening experiences many changes in
than five times. Despite that, she kept this thought
prosperity and decline,
in her mind – “I may not be able to change you
The Vulture Peak Mountain stands silently, awaiting its
(the mafias) but I shall change the mind of your
revival;
children.” In 2007, Ven. Jue Cheng returned to Coming here, there is no need to regret about coming
Malaysia after 15 years of propagating Humanistic too late or lament about the advanced age,
Buddhism in Brazil where she became known as Propagation of the Dharma and benefiting all sentient
“Rev. Sinceridade - the sincere monastic.” beings are the fundamental roles of the Sangha.”
Ven. Jue Cheng responded to the questions by Our mission and responsibilities are like the
Wuan Hoong of Eastern Horizon on 14th July 2023, unstoppable rolling wheels of Dhamma, driving and
where she shared about her practice of Dharma propelling the path. When there is a will, there is a way.
with her busy schedules, the values of learning the All the difficulties and challenges that come our ways
Dharma in our information-overloaded era, her are like small pebbles and stones which become our
aspiration towards Southeast Asian Buddhism and foundation to build a bridge, allowing more people to
cross to the other shore.
her experience in Pakistan. The interview was then
translated by both Wuan Hoong and Zhi Yi.
My workload can be demanding. However, I believe in
taking one step at a time, collaborating with others and
developing trust in people. There are always like-minded
Sangha members and lay practitioners who are willing
to contribute and make things happen. Therefore, I do
not feel overwhelmed. I find the work very meaningful,
and we are bound to take on this responsibility.
