Venerable Master Hsing Yun was born in Chiangsu province in China in 1927 and adopted at a monastery in Nanjing at age 12. He was ordained in 1941 and became the 48th patriarch of the Lin-chi (Rinzai) in the Chan tradition. 1949, in the midst of a raging civil war, he went to Taiwan.
In Taiwan, he began to fulfill its long-term promise to campaign for humanistic Buddhism which emphasizes spiritual practice in daily life. With an emphasis on "not to go anywhere else" in order to find enlightenment, we can discover its true nature here and now in this valuable and life in this world. When we detect altruism, joyfulness, and universality, we have begun to practice the fundamental concepts of Humanistic Buddhism. When we can entertain and inspire hope and joy and we will help others and even ourselves. For nearly half a century, Venerable Master Hsing Yun has put all his energy to change the world through the practice of Humanistic Buddhism.
He has founded For Guang Shan International Buddhist Order which has its headquarters in Taiwan and operates temples worldwide. The movement places great emphasis on training and service and runs thus both general and Buddhist universities, libraries, the Order emphasizes education and services and maintains public unniversitet, Buddhist colleges, libraries, publishers, Buddhist art galleries and tea rooms, free mobile medical clinics, orphanages, old people , gymnasium and TV station. The Order counterparts BLIA "Buddha's Light International Association has active chapters worldwide.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun is an outspoken advocate of equality for all people and religions, the Order has the largest number of female monks of all Buddhist organizations in the current situation. By providing and supporting education and leadership opportunities, he has worked to improve women's status in Taiwan. He has had all ordniations ceremonies for the women of the Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana traditions, also organizes Master Hsing Yun annual conferences to bring together the various buddhistska schools and promoting dialogue between Buddhists and other major religious groups.
Master Hsing Yun is a diligent writer and has written over a hundred books. Many of his works have been translated into English and is continuously translated his books into more languages. His work "The life of Shakyamuni Buddha" and 16 volumes of "Fo Guang Buddhist Dictionary" have both won Taiwan's highest humanitarian award. His many lectures also continues to translate into English..
Based in Taiwan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun travels extensively. His insightful, committed and witty lectures makes him unfailingly in love for the audience. He reminds us to transform our world, we must be actively engaged in it. "The Community exceeds the individual," he says, "and thereby the individual the most complete terms possible" Wherever he goes so he urges people to unite both the local and global community in the world of full equality ding, joy and perfect peace.
