Obituary of Venerable Master Hsing Yun

This section outlines the life, endeavors, and contributions of Venerable Master Hsing Yun in promoting Humanistic Buddhism. The Venerable Master was born in Jiangsu, China, in 1927 and entered monastic life at the age of twelve. In 1949, he came to Taiwan, and in 1953 he established the foundation for the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism at Leiyin Temple in Yilan, marking the beginning of his vision for its development.

In 1967, he founded Fo Guang Shan, initiating the Fo Guang Shan's Four Objectives—culture, education, charity, and spiritual cultivation—and establishing more than three hundred temples and centers worldwide. To nurture future generations, he founded Buddhist institutes, kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools, as well as five universities, forming an international system of Buddhist education.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun was also a pioneer in using modern media for the propagation of the Dharma. He established BLTV (Beautiful Life Television) and Merit Times, and oversaw the publication of numerous Buddhist texts and educational materials. His writings exceed forty million characters.

In 1992, he founded the Buddha's Lamp International Association, which now spans five continents, further advancing the globalization of Humanistic Buddhism. Through cultural and educational initiatives, the Venerable Master integrated ancient and modern, East and West, promoting the modernization and institutional development of Buddhism. His contributions are immense, and his influence continues to be far-reaching.