Page 61 - EH70

NEWS | EASTERN HORIZON 59

Ven. Hsing Yun’s stupa-shaped casket. Photo credit: taiwan news.com.tw Monks lead a procession around the grounds of Fo Guang Shan. Photo
credit: Taipei Times.

outside Fo Guang Shan’s Cloud Dwelling Building, where Shakyamuni Buddha as senior monastics made incense
the funeral ceremony was held. offerings in groups of three.

Monastics of Fo Guang Shan led a solemn procession, The cremation ceremony began at exactly 2:22 p.m.,
escorting the remains of the venerable teacher around with final words shared by Fo Guang Shan Abbot Hsin
the monastery grounds, during which many admirers Bau. Ven. Hsing Yun’s remains were later interred at
and followers bowed or prostrated in gestures of Fo Guang Shan’s Fo Guang Shan’s Longevity Garden.
affection and respect. Ven. Hsing Yun was born in Jiangsu Province, China,
in August 1927. At the age of 12, he was tonsured at
One attendee, identified only by her surname, Lee, told Nanjing Qixia Monastery, and received full ordination
local media that she had taken a day off work to attend at the age of 15. He graduated from Jiaoshan Buddhist
the funeral, expressing admiration for Ven. Hsing Yun’s Academy in 1947. In 1949, at the age of 22, Ven. Hsing
“contributions to society and efforts to bring people Yun relocated to Taiwan, where he would go on to found
closer to Buddhism.” (Taipei Times) Fo Guang Shan in 1967 in Kaohsiung, southwestern
Taiwan, with four guiding objectives: to propagate the
During the ceremony, President Tsai presented Ven. Dharma; to foster talent through education: to benefit
Hsing Yun with a posthumous Presidential Citation society through philanthropy; and to purify human
Award in recognition of his “far-reaching impact minds through spiritual cultivation and practices. Ven.
and contributions to the state, society and religious Hsing Yun is popularly known in Taiwan as one of the
life” of Taiwan. (Taipei Times) She offered praise “Four Heavenly Kings” of Buddhism, the others being:
for the venerable teacher’s work to promulgate the Master Cheng Yen of Tzu Chi; Master Sheng Yen, founder
Buddhist teachings throughout the world through the of Dharma Drum Mountain; and Master Wei Chueh,
establishment of 300 monasteries and five universities. founder of Chung Tai Shan. These four global Buddhist
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen presented Ven. Hsing Yung orders, correspondingly known as the “Four Great
with an Honorary Citizen Award, while KMT Chairman Mountains,” have grown to become among the most
Chu bestowed the Highest Recognition of Outstanding influential Chinese Buddhist organizations in the world.
Contribution Award.
President Tsai presents Ven. Hsing Yun with a
After a procession around the grounds of Fo Guang posthumous Presidential Citation Award.
Shan before the tens of thousands of monastic and lay Photo credit: taiwan news.com.tw
devotees, Ven. Hsing Yun’s remains were presented
before an altar of flowers and a large image of Source: www.buddhistdoor.net EH