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58 EASTERN HORIZON | NEWS
Tens of Thousands Gather in
Taiwan for the Funeral of Fo Guang
Shan Founder Ven. Hsing Yun
By Craig C Lewis | February 20, 2023
Tens of Thousands mourners gathered in Taiwan’s
southern coastal city of Kaohsiung last week for the
funeral of the influential Buddhist monk and teacher
Venerable Hsing Yun. The 48th Patriarch of the Linji
school, the founding patriarch of the Fo Guang Shan
Buddhist order and the Buddha’s Light International
Association in Taiwan, and a leading figure in the
Humanistic Buddhism movement died on 5 February
at the age of 97.*
The funeral ceremony, which began at 9 a.m. on 13
February, was attended by Taiwan’s president, Tsai
Ing-wen, and premier, Chen Chien-jen, along with
Kaohsiung’s mayor, Chen Chi-mai, the chairperson of
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), Eric Chu, and Minister
of the Interior Lin Yu-chang.
While a simple ceremony befitting a common monk was
conducted, in accordance with the late master’s wishes,
throngs of mourners gathered for the occasion. Many of
those who attended to pay their respects to Ven. Hsing
Yun observed the proceedings via large screens set up
The founding patriarch of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order Ven. Hsing
Yun. Photo credit: Fo Guang Shan Facebook
Monks lead a procession around the grounds of Fo Guang Shan. Photo Well-wishers viewed the proceedings on screens set up outside the
credit: Taipei Times. funeral hall. Photo credit: taiwan news.com.tw
